In Freakonomics, the authors made the argument that a drop in the crime rate was due to the legalization of abortion in 1973. The argument was the children most likely to grow up to be criminals were those from households where they, to put it simply, were unwanted or were unlikely to receive the guidance they needed.
But could there be a medical reason for it?
Exposure to lead may be one of the most significant causes of violent crime in young people, according to one of the nation’s leading researchers on the subject.
“When environmental lead finds its way into the developing brain, it disturbs neural mechanisms responsible for regulation of impulse. That can lead to antisocial and criminal behavior,” reported Herbert L. Needleman, M.D.
Impulsiveness is a big part of criminal behavior, after all. Rational behavior is not part of the criminal mindset.
Lead in automotive fuel is still in use in England (perhaps elsewhere in Europe) where the ASBO originates, though it has been banned since the 1970s in the US.
Check out the Sample Prohibitions from ASBOs, things that restricted individual are banned from doing:
ASBOs can prohibit an individual from specific behaviour and from entering a particular area. The following sets of prohibitions are all taken from actual ASBOs granted by the courts and are examples of the type of behaviour that can be prohibited by an ASBO. Prohibitions contained within an ASBO must be necessary to protect people not in the same household as the offender from further acts of anti-social behaviour. The prohibitions will vary according to the details of each case.
If these are impulsive acts, I don’t know what is.
Sample A
The defendant is prohibited from:
1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to other residents to [x] and the surrounding area; such area being bounded by [x] and shown marked edged in red on the plan attached hereto.
2. Using foul, offensive or racist language which is or is likely to be threatening, abusive or insulting to residents of or visitors to the said area.
3. From assaulting, threatening or intimidating residents of or visitors to the said area.
4. From threatening to cause, attempting to cause or causing criminal damage to property or premises within the said area.For 3 years
Sample B1. Not to act or incite others to act in an anti-social manner, that is to say, a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household.
2. Not to use or incite others to use threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour in any place to which the public have access within the borough of [x]
3. Not to approach or communicate directly or indirectly with any witnesses within these proceedings, save for those witnesses who are police officers or representatives of the Youth Offending team or representatives of [x] County Council Education Services.
4. Not to associate with any of the following listed below in any place to which the public has access within the borough of [x] [5 individuals named; dates of birth supplied]
5. Not to enter the exclusion zone marked red on the plan attached hereto save when travelling on public transport on the routes marked in blue.
6. Not to enter or go within 25 metres of any of the following premises save when travelling on public transport on the routes marked in blue: [3 shops listed]Order made for 2 years
Sample CThe defendant is prohibited within the city of [x] from
1. Being under the influence of intoxicating liquor in any public street or open place.
2. Voluntarily being in the company of [x] in any location to which the public have access.
3. Consuming intoxicating liquor in any public street or open place.
4. Remaining on any shop, commercial or hospital premises if asked to leave by staff.
5. Entering any shop or commercial premises from which he has been barred.
6. Assaulting, harassing, intimidating, threatening or abusing any person.
7. Damaging, taking or interfering with the property of others; except with their express permission.
8. Inciting or encouraging others to commit any act prohibited by this order.For 30 months beginning with the date of this order
Sample DThe defendant is prohibited from:
1. Using, demonstrating or threatening violence towards any person, not of the same household as himself.
2. Using threatening, abusive or foul language in public towards another
3. Damaging or threatening damage to property
4. Carrying weapons as defined by statute in a public place
5. a) intimidating any person or congregating in groups of people in a manner causing or likely to cause any person to fear for their safety
Or
b) congregating in groups of more than 6 persons in an outdoor public place
6. Entering the area outlined on the attached plan.The above prohibitions relate to the [x] area of [x] outlined on the attached plan.
Until further order
Sample EThe defendant is prohibited from:
1. Soliciting or loitering in any road, street or public place for the purposes of prostitution.
2. Committing any lewd or obscene act in any public place.
3. Entering the areas bounded by and including [x], as shown on the map annexed.For a period of 2 years.
I wonder what this does to Levitt and Dubner’s thesis. It did seem a little too simple and in a way very cold and callous.