The rise of “don’t ask, don’t tell” crimes is due to the impulsive expression of anger, the negative effects of the internet, and a culture that values assertiveness over restraint. To solve this problem, we need to establish a culture of psychological counseling, strengthen regulations on internet violence, and teach the importance of consideration and moderation instead of individualism.
Recently, “don’t ask, don’t tell” crimes, which are crimes that harm others for no reason, have been occurring frequently, causing great anxiety in society due to their unpredictability. There are a variety of social causes behind the rise in these crimes, and one of the main factors is the inability of modern people to deal with the stress and psychological pressure of everyday life. This often stems from people’s inability to contain their temper and impulsive outbursts. So why is this inappropriate expression of anger so common in modern society? The article pointed to three reasons for this problem.
First, the impulsive nature of individuals is being exacerbated by social issues. Rather than looking within themselves for their emotional issues or impulse control failures, many people today tend to blame social structures or others for their problems. This blaming of social factors, rather than personal responsibility, leads to more external frustration and anger, rather than self-reflection and acknowledgment of internal conflicts. Second, arguments and violent content on the internet are also contributing to conflicts and clashes in the real world. Emotions and conflicts can easily escalate online, and the violent language or expressions used in the process can lead to problematic behavior in real life. Third, society as a whole has developed a culture where “assertiveness” is seen as a virtue rather than “patience”. In the past, suppressing emotions and valuing social harmony were considered virtues, but today, individual expression and assertiveness are emphasized, and the value of moderation has declined. This trend may contribute to the ease with which people express their dissatisfaction in an individualistic social atmosphere.
Now, let’s talk about how to address the underlying causes of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” crime. As mentioned in the first reason, the tendency for social climate to encourage individuals to shift blame to others instead of resolving their inner conflicts is a major contributor to the problem. To mitigate this problem, it’s important to recognize your own emotions and learn how to deal with them constructively. Before internal anxiety and anger can easily become externalized, it’s important to examine your own state of mind and seek help from a counseling professional if necessary. Professional organizations, such as counseling centers, offer a variety of programs to help alleviate psychological pressure, and in the process, you can learn skills to understand and deal with your emotions. Society also needs to raise awareness of these counseling services so that people take care of their emotions as a matter of course. If we create a culture where individuals voluntarily seek counseling, we can prevent anger from building up and exploding impulsively.
Mass media also needs to be careful when reporting events like the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell crime. Mass media has a powerful influence on people, and when crimes are reported frequently, people are more likely to perceive their difficulties or anxieties as stemming from social structures. Therefore, the media should not just report criminal incidents, but should also provide information about the causes of crimes and the punishments for committing them to raise awareness of crime. In particular, in the case of the Don’t Ask, specific examples of how severe the punishment is should be reported so that people know the consequences of irrational behavior.
Second, we need to reduce the impact of the internet and media on individuals’ impulse control. Violent games and arguments are very common on the internet today, and these experiences can have a negative impact, especially on young people. Violent online games are becoming increasingly realistic, sometimes blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This can be dangerous not only for adults but also for developing children. To prevent this, institutional regulations are needed, such as stronger internet ratings, and violent games need additional safeguards, such as frequent warnings or limits on play time. In addition, because expressing aggressive feelings toward others online can cause problems in the real world, it’s important for community and post moderators to crack down on violent speech and expression. Site operators have a responsibility to promote a healthy online environment by strengthening their violence censorship systems and to moderate posts that could cause major social problems.
Finally, the social climate in which unrestrained expression of personal feelings is seen as a virtue also needs to be improved. This can be seen as one of the side effects of modern society’s emphasis on competition and success. While it is important for individuals to pursue success and happiness, we need to be introspective to ensure that these values are not predicated on the misfortune of others. Modern people are encouraged to take frequent time in their daily routines to manage stress, such as meditation or breathing exercises, and organizations and schools can set aside a short period of time in the morning to provide psychological space. For example, a boss or teacher could offer words of encouragement that emphasize patience and caring instead of stressful admonishments during the morning pep talk.
Efforts to teach concessions and moderation are needed to counteract the prevalence in society at large that it’s always better to express than to hold back. Adults need to teach children how to calmly assess a situation and express their feelings in an appropriate way, rather than immediately expressing them. It’s also important to consider whether they are socially acceptable values when setting goals, and to set their own goals with respect for the well-being of others. When everyone in society has an attitude of consideration and respect for each other’s well-being, we will be well on our way to a crime-free and safe society.
