this post was submitted on 29 May 2024
272 points (97.2% liked)

United States | News & Politics

1635 readers
436 users here now

Welcome to [email protected], where you can share and converse about the different things happening all over/about the United States.

If you’re interested in participating, please subscribe.

Rules

Be respectful and civil. No racism/bigotry/hateful speech.

Post anything related to the United States.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
all 39 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 61 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Start of leaded gasoline bans:

1970

[–] [email protected] 46 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This was the research done by Freakonomics!

We estimate that crime fell roughly 20% between 1997 and 2014 due to legalized abortion. The cumulative impact of legalized abortion on crime is roughly 45%, accounting for a very substantial portion of the roughly 50-55% overall decline from the peak of crime in the early 1990s.

Podcast revisiting this research with sources at the bottom:
https://freakonomics.com/podcast/abortion-and-crime-revisited/

This is the revisited research paper showing the connection (PDF):
https://bfi.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/BFI_WP_201975.pdf

[–] fukhueson 14 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

While yes, it's most likely not a significant factor in the drop in crime:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93crime_hypothesis#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DA_2007_report_published_by%2C%25_decline_in_violent_crime%22.?wprov=sfla1

Systematic reviews / meta-analysis

The first meta-analysis of the lead-crime hypothesis was published in 2022. "The Lead-Crime Hypothesis: A Meta-Analysis", authored by Anthony Higney, Nick Hanley, and Mirko Moro consolidates findings of 24 studies on the subject. It found that there is substantial evidence linking lead exposure to a heightened risk of criminal behavior, particularly violent crimes. This aligns with earlier research suggesting lead exposure may foster impulsive and aggressive tendencies, potential precursors to violent offenses. The study concluded that, while a correlation between declining lead pollution and declining criminality is supported by research, it is likely not a significant factor in reduced crime rates, and that the link is generally overstated in lead-crime literature.

The study's implications point towards the potential benefits of reducing lead exposure to decrease crime rates. Such reductions could be achieved through initiatives like removing lead from products like gasoline and paint, water pipes and enhancing lead abatement measures in schools and residences.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod 34 points 1 month ago

Their feelings don't care about your facts

[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The problem is that the news keeps hounding the police for arrest headlines to run every night

Like do we actually need to hear what specific crimes are being committed by complete randos every day if it isn't changing the commute?

What specific public interest is served by every day announcing the specific crimes that were committed that day?

[–] TexasDrunk 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Local news lost a lot of eyes to the 24 hour news channels so they want to report the absolute most eye grabbing thing they can so they can sell eyeballs to advertisers. The big channels need to fill space in their 24 hour cycle so they blow shit way the fuck up. They also thrive on every election being a horse race and polarization.

The joke years ago was that the news always had shit like "Could your tap water be killing you? Watch News at 10 to find out!" Then you couldn't drink tap water until 10 because it might kill you. That doesn't hold up anymore so now it's any random crime they can report on.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Yeah that's kinda my point, the 24 hour news cycle itself is what's causing this. It needs to be cut back at to a morning and evening edition and if you publish outside those windows too often you don't get to call yourself or present yourself as a news or news commentary organization.

[–] clutchtwopointzero 14 points 1 month ago

Just removing lead from gas made such a difference

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago

I'm traveling to NYC in a few weeks with my family. My parents are shocked to hear we are using the subway. I told them not to worry, I left the cat to them in my will.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Explain that to my mother who watches Fox News.

[–] Anticorp 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Sure. What's her phone number? Is she hot?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

What a rude thing to say. Of course she's smoking

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Committing crime is getting too expensive, just like everything else.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It's just capitalism. Corporations have the monopoly in committing crimes these days because they usually get away with it.

[–] SteefLem 5 points 1 month ago

Ah man… facts. Dont do facts thats crazy /s

[–] SeattleRain 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Thcdenton 2 points 1 month ago

NO. NO MORE BEARS. I BEG YOU.