Poverty, violent crime and West Virginia

Apologists for violent crime and violent criminals often like to claim that violence is an inevitable outgrowth of poverty (and that therefore help should be given to violent criminals in order to lift them out of poverty). That this is a myth however can be seen from the case of West Virginia, which despite being one of the poorest states in the union is also one of the least violent. Also although it could be understood that poverty could give rise to violence in terms of robbery for example in no way could poverty justify rape and murder for example. And back in the 1930s during The Great Depression despite the poverty back then there was no huge increase in violent crime.

PERHAPS ITS GOT SOMETHING TO DO WITH PEOPLE.

It's a miswired brain. Chemical imbalance. Violent people are born this way. Poverty can lead to desperation, but I don't think it creates violence. Most murders are done by people who know the victim and are usually a personal matter. Rape is an act of control and aggression against women or a certain type of woman.

So, no poverty doesn't lead to violence necessarily.

West Virgina is a VERY rural state 1st off, so that type of poverty isn't at all similar to city poverty..it isn't a bunch of poor folks packed in together like sardines

and during the 1930's, Because of Prohibition, organized crime increased, especially in major cities..plus, the illegal drug trade wasn't anywhere near as big in the 1930's as it is today

eh, they just pop pills and drink their mountain dew. no time to be violent or work when you have doctors appointments to get to and scheduled visits to granny's medicine cabinet.