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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