Final answer:
The correct answer is option 1. The increase in charging students as criminals is mainly attributed to zero tolerance policies, which have led to more minor offense arrests. These policies emerged from the Broken Windows Theory and New York City's Stop and Frisk policy is a prime example.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of charging students as criminals has increased primarily due to zero tolerance policies. These policies emerged from attempts to apply the Broken Windows Theory to a crime prevention strategy in the 1990s, which led to a significant increase in arrests for minor offenses. New York City's Stop and Frisk is one such policy that epitomizes Zero Tolerance Policing, resulting in a surge in pedestrian stops.
Advocates argue that these policies reduce more serious crimes by maintaining order at all levels, while critics highlight the negative impacts on communities, particularly communities of color, and point out that crime rates have also dropped in cities without such stringent policies. Additionally, studies indicate that improving socioeconomic conditions, such as education and economic opportunities, can aid in preventing crime without the contentious effects of zero tolerance.
Another factor is the cultural and political climate, particularly in the United States, where the 'war on drugs' and 'law and order' politics led to a 'get tough on crime' approach and dramatically increased prison populations. Moreover, removing lead from gasoline and investments in educational programs that foster cost-benefit thinking among youth have contributed to crime reduction without heavy reliance on punitive measures.