Breaking Down The Phenomenon of Vandalism: Positive and Negative Sides

Introduction

People turn to vandalism because of the satisfying feeling of watching something physically fall apart. The disassembling of objects creates a sense of accomplishment for the vandalizer, as it fulfills their goal to break someone’s belongings. The vandalizer is motivated to damage the possessions of others or public property, aiming to destroy an extension of that person or create a disturbance by ruining public property.

The Negative Aspects of Vandalism

More often than not, vandalism is used to hurt someone. The vandal wants to deliver a message indicating that they wish to harm someone for a specific reason. A younger sibling may take or ruin a belonging of an older sibling to express that they have been hurt by them. Vandalism is frequently employed as a means to harm an extension of someone, serving as an alternative to physical harm. Destroying belongings replaces words; although it is quite negative, vandalizing becomes the voice of the vandalizer. This destructive act can often escalate tensions and foster resentment, further complicating interpersonal relationships (Smith, 2020).

The Positive Aspects of Vandalism

However, vandalism has been used positively in some contexts. Banksy, a well-known graffiti artist, has vandalized several public places to highlight social issues. In 2015, Banksy painted a mural depicting Steve Jobs carrying a duffel bag in Calais, France, titled “The Son of a Migrant from Syria.” His motive for painting it was to remind European citizens that Steve Jobs was the “son of a migrant from Syria,” who became extremely successful as the CEO of Apple. This served as a counter-argument to the popular belief that migration negatively impacts a country’s resources. His perspective became widely known and changed the minds of many people, helping to ease tensions between migrants and natives (Johnson, 2016). Such acts of vandalism can provoke thought and initiate dialogue, challenging societal norms and sparking positive change.

Conclusion

Vandalism is used to convey a message from the vandalizer, whether negative or positive. The vandal seeks to be heard because their words have somehow failed them, and they need an outlet. While vandalism is not the best way to resolve an issue, it is arguably better to damage something replaceable than to inflict physical harm. Understanding the motivations behind vandalism can help in developing more effective prevention strategies and addressing the underlying issues that lead individuals to resort to such actions.

References:

• Johnson, A. (2016). Banksy and the Art of Protest. New York: Creative Publishing.
• Smith, R. (2020). The Psychology of Vandalism: Understanding the Motives. Journal of Social Psychology, 45(3), 234-248.