Title: Vandalism - Wikipedia
Headings: Vandalism
Vandalism
Contents
Etymology
As a crime
Examples
Political
Motives
Reaction of authorities
Cybervandalism
Defacement
As art
Graphic design
See also
References
Other References
Bibliography
External links
See also

Content: Shopping cart, thrown into a waterway, Netherlands
Motives
Actions of this kind can be ascribed to anger or envy, or to spontaneous, opportunistic behaviour, possibly for peer acceptance or bravado in gang cultures, or disgruntlement with the target (victim) person or society. Opportunistic vandalism of this nature may also be filmed, the mentality of which can be akin to happy slapping. The large-scale prevalence of gang graffiti in some inner cities has almost made it acceptable to the societies based there, so much so that it may go unnoticed, or not be removed, possibly because it may be a fruitless endeavour, to be graffitied on once again. Greed can motivate vandalism as can some political ideologies, wish to draw attention to problems, frustration, even playfulness. Youngsters, the most common vandals, frequently experience low status and boredom. Vandalism enables powerless people to attack those above them, take control and frighten others. Unpunished vandalism can provide relief which reinforces the behaviour. Vandalism by one person can lead to imitation. Teenage boys and men in their 20s are most likely to vandalize, but older adults and females are also known to sometimes vandalize, with young children occasionally vandalizing, but in a much smaller form, such as making small crayon drawings on walls. Modern graffiti on the Achaemenid era rock relief of Rawansar tomb, Iran
Criminological research into vandalism has found that it serves many purposes for those who engage in it and stems from a variety of motives.