People always come up with excuses to rationalize their behavior. The problem is too many people feel sorry them. Look at that Oprah fluff piece with Meagan Markel and Prince Harry where she blamed racism for her issues. I refused to watch it ( let alone feel sorry for millionaires like them), yet millions of people feel pity for them. That same concept applies to criminals. They blame their family, society, the Country, the victim anyone but themselves for their actions and many people buy into it.