Stop Romanticizing Crime: Let’s Drop the ”Love” for Crime

“Society should stop romanticizing crime” is a hill that I’m willing to die on because as we glamorize the dark allure of crime, we risk distorting reality regarding the often harsh and gruesome truths about criminal behavior.

One of the best thriller books about organized crime and mob bosses that shows the true workings of organized criminal syndicates and how shady they are is Quinn’s Dilemma by Bruce N. Ball. It shows how the selfishness of the mafia, the justice department, and a dangerous union is a social issue that we need to fix. Unfortunately, it seems to be a societal dilemma that we’ve twisted to the point that it’s now an “aesthetic” or “vibe.”

Today, I’ll discuss why we should stop romanticizing criminals and the awful things that they do.

Glorify Crime: Our Fascination With the Worst of Us

Horror content is a broader genre that includes crime media; these are unsettling stories that leave viewers wanting more. Real or imaginary, criminals are humanoid monsters who coexist with the general public, lead entirely normal lives, and occasionally commit heinous crimes. Those who are affiliated with organized crime fall under this same category.

Their crimes are so incomprehensible that they nearly seem mysterious. The things that they’ve done make them somewhat mysterious. Some even say that a distinct separation occurs whenever documentaries, YouTubers, books, podcasts, and TV shows retell their depraved tales.

In general, criminals function in a way so distinct from that of the average person that it demands notice. I think that we are lured to perilous circumstances by our insatiable curiosity. We experience adrenaline and endorphins surge into us as a result of our fear because crime media does not come too close to danger but is still close enough to explain it.

A Lack of Empathy Leads Us to Romanticize Violence

Many people who romanticize these offenders don’t realize the extreme suffering that their victims’ families go through. While I do believe that many authors of thriller books about organized crime and mob bosses acknowledge how terrible organized crime and criminals, in reality, are, many of them end up romanticizing the lifestyle that these despicable people lead.

This leads to a lot of individuals being prone to romanticizing the murderer’s physical appearance and deceptive “charisma.” This alarming tendency is particularly pervasive on the internet, where innumerable videos portray notorious criminals as “attractive.” While some would argue that works of fiction that tackle criminals and criminal behaviors are completely harmless, we should still make an effort to stop romanticizing crime.

Unfortunately, romanticizing criminals is a problematic epidemic that most of us choose to actively ignore. The media and social media platforms are where people are most likely to witness the craze for violent criminals, which has grown to a fever pitch.

How Do We Showcase a Realistic Portrayal of Crime or Criminals?

The media frequently tends to sensationalize criminals and criminal organizations, even though hearing about the reality of crimes helps raise awareness. Reporting that is morally and responsibly done should put the victims first. It should also pay attention to the larger social problems that accompany crime instead of only focusing on the offenders.

News organizations have a moral obligation to avoid romanticizing crime since it can change public perception and spread harmful notions. But with the vastness of platforms we have today, the moral obligation extends to social media influencers, YouTubers, podcasts, authors, and more.

Our communal threshold for violence rises with every national headline. I see a grim future if we ever become desensitized to heinous news like murder and whatnot. Eventually, our moral compasses would become so dull that the lines between right and wrong are blurry.

It’s High Time We Stop Romanticizing Crime for Good

While I believe crime stories can enthrall and educate audiences at the same time, it’s still very important to recognize and acknowledge the subject’s sensitivity. By making it seem more glamorous and writing misleading thriller books about organized crime and mob bosses or serial killers, we might minimize its drawbacks and focus only on its fascination and attraction.

As a society, we should all be more aware of the material being presented concerning criminal topics, particularly for news and content providers. The audience needs to learn the facts about criminals and organize crime so that they can better distinguish what’s real from what’s not.

Now, it’s time for you to speak. Do you think romanticizing criminals and criminal organizations, along with their behaviors, is bad? Share your thoughts now in the comments section below!

If you want something lighter to read, let me suggest our article on how humans thrive with positive relationships!