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Shelby Wojcik
There are several interesting theories that pertain to social classes, and criminal behaviors. One
interesting theory is known as Cohen’s Theory of Lower Class Status Frustration and Gang
Formation. This particular theory is one of the variations of Merton’s theory. His model states
that teenage males are at a disadvantage if they go to a middle to upper class school, and come
from a low income family (Schram & Tibbetts 2017). Coming from a low income family,
according to Cohen, means that the young man will lack discipline, social skills, and normal
interaction capabilities that children from wealthier families typically have (Schram & Tibbetts
2017). Just like in Merton’s theory, Cohen sympathizes that young people typically have their
own view of the American Dream, based on what they have been taught growing up. They are
lead to believe there are fair chances for success, and ultimately are lead to frustration when they
fail to be successful according to the normal middle-class standard. This leaves them with status
frustration, because they do not feel they are doing as well as their peers. Some begin to believe
they have some type of disorder that makes them the way they are, and starts to become an
excuse they use every time they are faced with a challenge they cannot complete easily (Schram
& Tibbetts 2017). They begin to reject the typical middle-class cultural system, and often times
become the members of gangs. They are primary targets for gangs, because they feel left out, and
alone. The gang will make them feel a sense of purpose, and other gang members will most
likely be able to appeal to their desire to fit in. The gang serves as that entity of fitting in. Birds
of a feather, flock together as the old saying goes. The General Strain Theory has similar
principles, but states that all social and economic classes have frustrations in their everyday life
and routine (Schram & Tibbetts 2017).
There are cultural and subcultural theories regarding crime that state groups in society
socialize their children to believe that certain behaviors and activities are appropriate, even if they
violate conventional laws. There are few groups that actually believe this is true. Most cultural
theories in the United States claim that there are very few groups that blatantly deny the typical
norms of a middle-class society (Schram & Tibbetts 2017). Most groups are still taught a moral
code, and are taught conventional value to abide by the law, and that hard work is a positive thing
in order to gain gratification.
Differential Association Theory has several working parts to it. This theory believes that
criminal behavior is learned, not inherited (Schram & Tibbetts 2017). Most of the time it is learned
in verbal cues. Criminals learn from others behaviors and methods how to sustain their behavior.
This type of behavior is normally established in the early formative years of a child’s life. Learning
criminal behavior is just like learning any other behavior. There is also the assumption that positive
transitions such as marriage or a promotion can help deter a person from continuing to be on the
criminal path (Schram & Tibbetts 2017).
Social Control Theory offers a justification for why people follow the rules (KempfLeonard & Morris 2012). These types of theories focus on external factors that cause these
behaviors. Even people who break the rules have a general belief that rules should actually be
followed. It also says the absence of social relationships can be the reason why these individuals
lose sight of their social constraints, and this also causes them to act out and commit crimes
(Kempf-Leonard & Morris 2012).
Sources:
Schram, P. J., & Tibbetts, S. G. (2017). Introduction to Criminology: Why Do They Do It? 2nd
ed. Sage Publications
Kempf-Leonard, K., & Morris, N. A. (2012). Social control theory. Oxford Bibliographies
[online]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/OBO/9780195396607-0091
Christopher Shuman
This week’s reading was very interesting and I enjoyed digging into the thought process behind
gangs on why they join as well as middle class issues. Lower class individuals often dream of
having the middle class life. Social norms in life, school, and other aspects often times use the
values of middle class people. This means that there is an expectation for lower class to meet
these values even when they cannot meet them. Many times these issues began at
childhood. Juveniles cannot follow these norms so they tend to act out in many ways. They
began to fail at school and grades drop, they act out becoming disobedient, fighting,
etc. because they can’t live that “American dream” they become frustrated at the social norms
and act out. With this defiance can come the illegal behavior. Often times they become
outcasts and not accepted by the middle class therefore left alone frustrated and unsure of
how to deal with their emotions. This is when the acting out happens. Because they feel
rejected by the middle class because they can’t follow the social norms of that class they act
out in a way as to reject the middle class. It is a statement saying ha-ha I do not want to follow
your norms or rules so therefore I am not going to. Now, this is where gangs come into
play. Once two individuals or more act the same way they come together so they are no longer
alone and have the lonely feeling. Issue with this is they feed off of this negativity which
creates this negative atmosphere against those in the middle class. Adults in street gangs use
these types of issues as a way to bring people into the gang. They know these people cannot
meet the standards of middle class and uses this as a way to bring them in and let them feel
accepted inside the gang. Because these gang members and these juveniles are often times
from the lower class a lot of gang crimes consist of trying to make money fast. Meaning
stealing robbing, drug sales, etc. They want the money that middle class has without being
middle class and to do this is by criminal activities. I found it odd where originally they are
rejected by society or at least feel rejected because they do not conform to middle class rules
and norms. Than they reject the middle class in a way to feel better about not being accepted
just to join a gang in order to have money to be like the middle class. It is like a circle in the end
they still want to be like the middle class when it comes to money. One last think I wanted to
put out there was the few that are not accepted in either middle class society or a gang. These
individuals often resort to drugs as a way to escape the reality of their true life and not feel the
pain.
Reference:
Schram, P. J. (2018). Introduction to Criminology, 2nd Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved
from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781506347585/
Marilen Sommers
There are many factors that play a role in middle class delinquency and the relationship
to gangs and gang/criminal involvement. Just three of the many factors that we learned about
from this week’s readings and lessons are: Cultural/Subcultural Theory, Differential Association
Theory, and the Social Control Theory. These theories, are just a few of many, that help us
understand criminality and gang formation.
The cultural and subcultural theories involve a large group of people who break off into
smaller “subcultures”. For example, a child can be raised to believe that certain behaviors are
acceptable even if they violate the law. Cultural/subcultural theorists claim that residents in such
environments have a different normative code or moral value than those in mainstream society.
One of the more recent subcultural models was proposed by Elijah Anderson. This model
focuses on African Americans claim that black Americans feel a sense of hopelessness, isolation,
and despair because of deprived conditions in inner cities. In Andersons theory, it is noted that
many African Americans believe in middle-class valued these values are worthless on the street,
mostly among young males (Schram & Tibbetts 2017).
The differential association theory is a theory of criminal behavior that emphasizes
association with significant others, such as peers or parents, in learning of criminal behavior. In
this theory is it believed that criminal behavior is learned and not inherited. Criminal behavior is
learned by interactions with other people. This theory also believes that the criminal behavior is
learned through intimate personal groups such as with family and friends. Criminal behavior can
be learned from parents, a close group of friends, or being involved in a gang. A middle-class
teenager, who generally had never been in trouble before, can start hanging out with a group of
people, “friends”, that break into cars. This teenage may not know anything about breaking into
cars, but will learn from hanging out with these people (Schram & Tibbetts 2017).
The last theory, is the social control theory. This theory, created by Hirschi, proposes that
delinquents fail to form or maintain a bond to society consisting of attachment, commitment,
involvement, and belief. Delinquency is intrinsic to human nature, therefore it’s the conformity
that needs to be explained. Conformity is explained through social interaction. Attachments,
commitment, involvement, and belief are all external factors (Wiatrowski et al., 1981). The stronger
each element of a positive social bond, there is less of a chance of delinquent behavior. It is
believed that all people have some belief that rules should actually be followed. Lack of social
interactions, which means lack of the four values, can also cause people to commit crimes
(Schram & Tibbetts 2017).
All of these theories are extremely in depth, but can all help understand crime in the
middle class. I especially like the cultural/subculture theory. When someone is surrounded by
people with the same values and morals, it is easy to follow along. Just like those in gangs. They
commit crimes and do drugs because that is what is acceptable. They fight other gangs, to
support their gang and their beliefs.
Schram, J. P., & Tibbetts, G. S. (2017). Introduction to Criminology: Why Do They Do It? (2nd ed.). Sage
Publications.
Wiatrowski, M., Griswold, D., & Roberts, M. (1981). Social Control Theory and
Delinquency. American Sociological Review, 46(5), 525-541. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2094936

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