in the drop box I have the file added. discuss/debate
with your classmates your position on which factors you feel play a
greater role pertaining to middle-class delinquency and its relation to
gangs. This
week’s reading provides overview of the research on the formation of
subcultures and social control theory. After reviewing the reading for
week 3, as well as the week 3 discussion articles in the lesson for this
week, discuss/debate with your classmates your position on which
factors you feel play a greater role pertaining to middle-class
delinquency and its relation to gangs. Each
students answer to the question should be between 700-1000 words. A
minimum of two references need to be used in the development of your
answer
must_read.docx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Lesson 3: Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior (Continued) – Chapters 6 & 7
“Sports carried me away from being in a gang, or being associated with drugs. Sports was my way
out.” – LeBron James
Social control theory differs from other theories regarding criminology in that the focus is not on why
individuals choose to act criminally, but provide the reasons for their actions. It involves looking at
how and why some choose behavior that tends to conform to the expectations of society and others
choose not to conform to society’s expectations. Reflection of the above quote by LeBron James
perhaps hints at the reason, not sports, but subculture.
You may be asking the question, “What is a subculture?” A formal explanation would be something
like, a subculture is a subdivision within the dominant culture that has its own norms, beliefs, and
values. Makes sense, right? Not really. Yes, it is that, but a subculture is a lot more. A subculture is
about belonging and alliance building among peers within a larger group (like LeBron and sports). A
subculture, as the name implies, is part of a bigger culture; it exists within a larger society, not apart
from it.
A subculture’s members are usually expected to have more loyalty to its members than others within
the larger society – even if it means being unethical or criminal. In other words, those who subscribe
to the values and beliefs of the subculture are expected to look out for each other’s welfare (have
each other’s back, so to speak), no matter the consequence.
Subcultures are typically described using various titles or terms that reflect an association to a larger
society. For example, terms such as brotherhood, chapter, or sets are a few of the terms that are
used. A subculture does not necessarily denote a criminal connotation; however, subcultures, criminal
in nature or not, do signify a discontinuity of sorts or a difference in the norms, beliefs, and values of
the larger group.
Another example would be in sports – there are typically a lot of elbows being thrown in the midst of
“fighting” to get the ball in a basketball game. This is anticipated and expected by the players. It is
not viewed as criminal as it is part of their subculture. However, throwing elbows to just get your way
is not acceptable action in society, the greater culture.
Now, let’s return our focus to subcultures within the realm of law enforcement and criminal activities.
Did you know that a subculture may be created via unspoken alliances or expectations? In other
words, there may be individuals within the larger group that gage their loyalty to others in the group
based solely on their membership to the group, thereby creating an unspoken subculture. An example
may be a form of bias-based policing that occurs when a police officer stops another police officer for
a traffic violation. Keep in mind that bias-based policing is illegal in most states and the federal
government.
Even if the two officers have never met before, an unspoken alliance may exist. This is especially true
if the officer making the traffic stop subscribes to the belief or value that all police should have each
other’s back no matter what. Use of their police discretion lets the other law enforcement officer (the
driver) go without a citation based solely on their affiliation with law enforcement.
This unspoken alliance is sometimes described as the police brotherhood, brotherhood of police, or the
“blue wall.” Some police officers describe it as an unspoken bond between officers. Even though, this
subculture is not criminal in nature, it is nevertheless a subculture. Those in law enforcement are part
of a large group, the police, which in turn, are part of an even larger group, American society.
As previously stated, a subculture is as the name implies, part of a bigger culture. It exists within a
larger society, not apart from it. As in the example of police, those working in law enforcement in
America are also citizens of the United States and they too are subject to the same laws as everyone
else in the United States. Those in law enforcement exist within American society, not apart from it.
Criminal Subculture
Now let’s look at those subcultures that are criminal in nature. First, in order to have a better
understanding of subcultures and the bonds formed, let’s take a brief look at subcultural theory as it
relates to delinquency and crime. The first item that comes to mind usually when one thinks of
delinquency and crime is youth gangs. However, were you aware that the correctional system helped
the spread of gangs across the United States and helped contribute to their growing numbers?
In the 1960s, the California correctional facilities were overrun with inmates associated with different
gangs. This led to constant disruptions of gang violence in the facilities, making them extremely
difficult to manage. The California Board of Corrections decided the best solution to the gang violence
problem was to transfer the various gang leaders to other correctional facilities across the United
States.
While this did temporarily alleviate the gang violence problems in the California correctional system, it
also had an unforeseen result. The gang leaders once transferred immediately began member
recruitment and began to establish sets or chapters in the various states they were sent. In doing so,
various gang locations and their membership numbers grew significantly across the nation.
Okay, let’s get back on track by discussing more about subcultural theory as it relates to delinquency
and crime. As mentioned earlier, subcultures speak to why individuals within a larger society or
culture, not apart from the larger society or culture, band together (like in the above example of
California gangs). Various theories have been formed as to why this occurs, especially pertaining to
delinquent youth. If you take the time to read the different theories you may notice some common
themes pertaining to economical influences and lower, middle, and upper class status.
Value systems come into play when looking at the types of behaviors displayed in subcultures. Studies
have shown that in some delinquent youth subcultures, violence and the use of force is the norm and
is not considered anti-social behavior. This type of value system is also found pertaining to inmate
populations in correctional facilities. This occurs when there are little to no social control influences.
The lack of social control influences may be observed in some poor inner city neighborhoods across
the United States. In such areas, children are exposed to poverty and cultural value systems favorable
to crime, especially when youth role models are comprised of criminals associated with delinquent or
adult gangs. These role models consist of gang members wearing expensive clothing, expensive
jewelry, driving expensive automobiles, and flashing a lot of cash. Economically disadvantaged youth
see these individuals and their criminal lifestyle as the only means to obtain status and acquire similar
material wealth.
Other influences for a youth to join a delinquent gang may include households where one or both
parents are rooted in the gang culture whereupon gang membership becomes an expectation passed
from parent to child. In some delinquent youth gang subcultures, a youth being sent to juvenile
detention is considered a rite of passage to gang membership.
There are also those youth who join a delinquent gang for a sense of belonging, wishing to build social
bonds. Other youth seek a means to achieve a sense of protection in that some inner city
neighborhoods are extremely violent and those who are not a members of a gang may be victimized
by gang members. This victimization is blamed on a lack of an active concerned external control
structure (strong law enforcement presence) coupled with the lack of an active concerned strong
internal control structure consisting of family, school, and other noncriminal social groups to provide
the sense of belonging and protection sought.
In review, subcultures exist within a larger society, not apart from it. A subculture’s members are
usually expected to have loyalty to its members – having each other’s back no matter the
consequences. Subcultures also emerge when people in similar circumstances find themselves isolated
from the mainstream and band together for mutual support, such as a sense of belonging or sense of
protection in addition to social economical influences and role models.
Subcultures are typically described using titles such as brotherhood, chapter, or sets. Subcultures may
or may not be criminal, but regardless, they do signify a discontinuity of the expected norms, beliefs,
and values of the larger society. In addition, a subculture is frequently created via spoken or unspoken
alliances created within the larger society based on the self-interests of the subculture’s own perceived
benefits by its members.
Lastly, social control theory involves looking at how a subculture develops and why it has particular
characteristics. Social control theorists focus on the reason why an individual would choose a
delinquent subculture, thereby leading to a broader understanding of criminals and criminal behaviors.
References
Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., & Laufer, W. S. (2013). Criminology (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGrawHill.
Kempf-Leonard, K., & Morris, N. A. (2012). Social control theory. Oxford Bibliographies [online].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/OBO/9780195396607-0091
eReserves
Additional course materials are available in eReserves. Click on the following eReserve link and search
by course number to access the materials.
Readings that are supplemental and not available in e-Reserves may be obtained via interlibrary loan.
Click on the following interlibrary loan link to request those materials.
…
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
Recent Comments