Criminal behavior is often directly associated with an individual’s social environment, family structure, economic conditions, and exposure to trauma. The film Kin centers around two children who are driven to commit crimes as a result of the injustices and losses they suffer. In this context, the film provides a valuable opportunity to examine the explanatory power of various criminological theories.
Explaining Criminal Behavior through General Strain Theory:
The story begins with the character Tuncay, who experiences intense anger following the injustice suffered by his father. General Strain Theory suggests that individuals may violate normative rules and commit crimes in response to experiences of devastation, sorrow, and anger. In the film, the children are willing to kill numerous people out of a desire for revenge, illustrating how strain can lead to criminal behavior.
Social Control Theory and the Weakening of Family Bonds:
Social Control Theory posits that the social bonds individuals form play a critical role in adherence to norms. In the film, the death of the children’s father leads to emotional and moral disruption. The weakening of these social bonds contributes to the children’s loss of respect for societal norms and their eventual engagement in criminal acts.
Strain Theory and the Chief Inspector’s Involvement in Crime:
The chief inspector’s storyline can also be interpreted through Strain Theory. While progressing toward a promotion, he is faced with a situation where he could help a person in need. However, upon receiving news of his promotion, he chooses not to help and indirectly becomes responsible for the individual’s death. This behavior aligns with the “innovation” adaptation within Strain Theory, where individuals pursue socially approved goals through illegitimate means when legitimate paths are blocked.
Social Disorganization Theory and the Role of the Neighborhood:
The impoverished and poorly supervised neighborhood in which the children are raised reflects the predictions of Social Disorganization Theory. In areas where education is limited and social values are not deeply internalized, the likelihood of criminal behavior increases. The absence of parental supervision allows the children to act without restraint, leading to early criminal involvement.
Structural Functionalism and the Breakdown of Social Cohesion:
Structural Functionalism argues that industrialization and class differences disrupt social order and erode communal bonds. In the film, one of the underlying reasons why the children fail to regulate their feelings of anger and hatred is the weakening of feelings of sincerity and belonging in society. This breakdown in social cohesion contributes to the disintegration of moral constraints.
Conclusion:
Kin provides a multifaceted portrayal of how individuals may turn to crime in the face of internal and external pressures. The film can be analyzed through a variety of criminological theories that reveal the complexity of criminal behavior. When injustice, emotional deprivation, and social conditions converge, crime can emerge as a seemingly inevitable outcome. In this respect, the film offers a significant example for understanding the multidimensional nature of criminality.