Final answer:
Crime is often influenced by social inequalities such as income inequality, lack of opportunity, and systemic racism, resulting in an uneven 'Ladder of Opportunity.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The framework that holds that crime stems from the consequences of inequality and discrimination is rooted in the understanding that social disparities, such as income inequality, lack of opportunity, systemic racism, poverty, inadequate education, gang activity, drug and alcohol abuse, contribute to criminal behavior. These factors create an unequal 'Ladder of Opportunity,' where circumstances rather than effort or talent often dictate economic outcomes, increasing the likelihood of crime in underprivileged communities. Adding to this, the criminal justice system can perpetuate inequalities through disparate treatment and prejudice, resulting in harsher punishments for some demographic groups over others.
Racial framing in media also affects public perception, potentially shaping policies and attitudes towards different racial groups. Such framing can influence whether incidents are seen as protests or riots, affecting public discourse and the treatment of the individuals involved. Additionally, crimes committed by affluent individuals often receive disproportionate responses from the legal system compared to those committed by less privileged individuals, further illustrating the impact of social class on crime.