Shame Is Worth a Try

Dan M. Kahan argues in his article pathos Is Worth a learn that people who understand the potential of shaming live that it is cheap, efficient, and an appropriate alternative to little jail fourth dimensions (571).Any offense that is act must(prenominal) subscribe a punishment linked to it to avoid a repeat of the offense. Serious crimes, for example, those that involve a murder obviously impoverishment the jail sentence that comes along with them. Nonviolent crimes, such as stealth or littering could receive cheap and personal punishments with the implementation of shaming.Those against shaming are broadly those that view it as a worse and demeaning punishment compared to imprisonment. They would typically support a punishment that would appear more discrete to those the offender knows save shaming is a more personal punishment. Instead of a lilliputian sentence in custody, the offender would be required to announce their crime to the public in somewhat manner.Shamin g in some cases doesnt seem to hurt as much as imprisonment (573) imprisonment non only makes the offender feel the shame of the crime they committed, but it as well takes away their ability to underwrite supporting their family. Living in a prison cell wont allow the offender to underwrite on in their life. With a jail sentence, a criminal must change their entire life. They must find some whiz willing to put up their bills, and take care of their children while they are locked up. This not only hurts the offender but it makes it truly(prenominal) difficult to continue their life afterwards.Shaming, like whatever other punishment, is just as susceptible to overuse in some cases. Using shaming in a way that is outrageous as in public flogging or putting an offender in stocks does not help the offender at all. This only hurts the individual and does not supply any shame for the crime. Also, using shaming alongside a jail sentence is not only more harmful to the offender but it withal decreases the cost efficiency of the punishment. In Shame Is Worth a Try, Dan M. Kahan provides well executed examples of how using shame instead of a short prison sentence is cheaper and just as efficient but not the views of the opposition. Kahan first delegates how shaming is currently used in the American judiciary system.Kahans first example is from Wisconsin, where a person caught stealing from their employer will be required to wear a sign around them stating their offense (571). another(prenominal) example Kahan uses is the fact that drunk drivers in both Texas and Florida and required to situation a bumper stick on their car, for a period of time, stating their DUI to the public (571). And in the end Kahan states, Refusing to pay child-support in Virginia will get you a boot on your car, pink for an aband adeptd girl and blue for a boy (572). The examples show just how shaming is picking up in some states in America. Kahan too addresses the violent crimes and their punishments. He reassures the reader that all violent crimes will continue with the same long term imprisonment as they do now.Kahan, along with the examples of shaming, provides statistics that support his cause. Studies performed at the University of Oklahoma state that shaming provides a greater gouge for the general public to comply with the law (573). The threat that ones neighbors would find out of his or hers offense will keep nearly offenders from committing the act they planned to do.On the negative side, Kahan seems to be fairly one sided with his examples in this article. He only provides the fact that shaming can be make if used alongside imprisonment. I also believe that he could have shown more examples of the purportlessly degrading tactics that could have been used as a shaming device (573).Even though Kahans article is very one sided, I would still recommend this article to other college students. I wouldnt recommend it as a source for alternatives to imp risonment but I might offer it as an example of how to prove ones point with limited examples. This article is a prime framework of how an author can use examples to prove ones point and persuade their reader. Again, it lacks the full view of the opposition but it is still very convincing.