Why crime has dropped

The October/99 issue presented the rather interesting thesis of University of Chicago economics professor Steve Levitt (“Chicago Journal”), which was summarized as follows: “[A]s much as half of the U.S. crime drop in the 1990s can be explained by the legalization and high frequency of abortion in the 1970s, which prevented the birth of many potential criminals.”

I disagree with Mr. Levitt, and reason that the relatively high employment rate of the 1990s provides more secure and immediate income than crime, and in effect, motivates many to seek an honest means of earning a livelihood. As for abortions, I am inclined to argue that abortions in the 1970s had little effect on crime, but instead diminished the educational talent and pool of applicants to universities.

R. Mark Katz, AB’84
Los Angeles