Simon and Spaulding contend that aggravating factors have symbolic capital as "tokens of our esteem" as they validate the worth of potential victims.

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Simon and Spaulding argue that aggravating factors serve as "tokens of our esteem" because they show that the victim was valuable and deserving of protection, thus increasing the severity of the offense. This reflects society's values and attitudes towards certain groups, and reinforces the symbolic capital of those groups.

Simon and Spaulding Contend That Aggravating Factors Have Symbolic Capital