Criminology Limericks, Vol. 2

Well, it is that time in the semester again: time for criminology limericks. So this semester I decided to do something a little different. I gave my students about 15 minutes at the end of class today to write their poems using criminological concepts. I told them that I would chose three of the best and post them to this blog and let you all choose the best of the best (I ended up selecting 4). I am giving the winning student an extra credit point, so my students are counting on your vote! Please comment on which one you like the best! Thanks!

Student A

Everyone has the same goals in life;
We all want money, power, and maybe even a husband or wife.
The problem is that everyone’s opportunities are not the same,
Individuals are stressed, strained, and end up doing something lame.
These people turn to crime through illegitimate avenues and some even use a knife.

Student B

There was once a theorist who went by the name Merton.
The social structure of American society was to blame for crime he was certain.
Achieving wealth and status became the main goal,
But this just caused people to feel like they were stuck in a hole,
And in the end the whole American society ends up hurtin’

Student C

There was a rough side of the city,
Some of the buildings were quite shitty.
Because of the high turnover,
The buildings would often get looked over.
Crime now runs this community.

Student D

Hirschi and Gottfredson have a general theory of crime,
That if your parents rear you right they can save you in time.
Unfortunately for them it fails to explain,
Why white-collar criminals use their brain.
Perhaps their theory ain’t worth a dime.

Drop Me a Line.....

I promise to send one of these cards if a member of the blog team is locked up. Here is a favorite example (you may have to blow it up. Here is the link to the full story.

We all know Sampson and Laub
Who talk about gettin a job
Go and get married
Make the bond strong, not harried
Unfortunately, I married a blob

I need to work on my skilz.

Criminology Limericks

As many of you know I have my students do an in-class thing where they write a criminology limerick. You remember: AABBA. Anyway, I only give them about 15 minutes to spend on this, but the goal is to get them to think about the material in a different way. And maybe they will remember it better because it rhymes. Who knows. Here are a couple of the notable ones:

The traditional view of theories of strain
Claim everyone has a goal of wealth to gain
Those who cannot
Choose to commit crime alot
And journey through live in vain

Cohen had a theory of strain
That said some kids turn to gangs
It was based on middle class measuring rods
With values of money and legitimate jobs
But without proper means it was status to gain

Matza talked about delinquency and drift
He argued that criminal behavior involved a shift
When bonds become weak
Criminal behavior will peak
And from jail they will need a lift