Positive Theory of Lonnie Athens: an Examination

Lonnie Athens, a well-known criminologist, came up with a new way to understand how people become violent. His Positive Theory of Violentization looks at how someone turns violent through different stages. Unlike other theories that blame biology or psychology, Athens thinks social and environmental factors play a big role. This essay will talk about Athens’ theory, the key stages, how the social environment matters, and what this means for tackling violence in society.

One big part of Athens’ theory is called “violentization.

” He says violence isn’t something people are born with; it’s something they learn. The first stage, “brutalization,” happens when a person sees or experiences violence, often at home. This makes them think violence is normal. The next stage, “belligerency,” is when the person feels they need to fight back or protect themselves. They start to think violence is a good way to solve problems. Then comes the “violent performances” stage, where they begin to act violently. At first, these acts might be rare, but they become more common as the person gets used to using violence. The final stage, “virulency,” is when the person fully accepts being violent and sees it as part of who they are.

Athens believes the social environment is super important in this process. He thinks a person’s surroundings and interactions greatly influence whether they go through these stages. For example, if someone grows up in a violent neighborhood, they’re more likely to become violent themselves. This idea goes against the thought that violence is just about personal issues. Instead, it shows how much the social setting matters. Athens’ theory suggests that to reduce violence, we should not only help individuals but also improve their communities. By creating places where violence isn’t accepted and people have positive role models, we can stop the cycle of violence. This has big implications for policies and programs, pointing to the need for whole-community approaches.

Athens’ theory also opens the door to “de-violentization,” meaning people can unlearn violent behavior. Just like they learned to be violent, they can learn to be non-violent with the right support. Programs that focus on rehabilitation and helping people reintegrate into society can be very effective. This fits well with restorative justice, which focuses on healing rather than just punishment. By tackling the root causes of violence and offering ways for personal growth, we can lower repeat offenses and improve community safety. Athens’ approach highlights the need for a well-rounded strategy that takes into account the person, their social environment, and the larger society.

In wrapping up, Lonnie Athens’ Positive Theory of Violentization gives us a detailed way to understand how violent behavior develops. By breaking it down into stages like brutalization, belligerency, violent performances, and virulency, Athens shows the complex path to violence. His focus on the social environment challenges the old view that violence is due to inherent traits or mental disorders. Instead, it points out the big role of social and environmental factors. Plus, his theory suggests that with the right help, people can leave violent behavior behind. This has major implications for preventing and dealing with violence, pushing for strategies that consider both individual and community needs. By understanding the processes that lead to violence better, we can come up with more effective ways to fight it, making our communities safer and more supportive.

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