(Introduction to Criminology, pg. 175) This writer wanted to emphasis that some gangs are more involved in social structure than the individual differences. Some of these gangs that he researched are from the low-income families and he describes it, as defiant individualism is people that become involved with money-producing economic activities whether it is legal or not. This theory of is linked into seven attributes like intense competitiveness, mistrust, self-reliance, emotional detachment, a survival instinct, a social Darwinist world-view, and a defiant attitude. An example of defiant individualism are gangs that are capable of producing benefits for their members and other people in society, they as well work in their rank, and regulating leadership.
As he is unable to achieve these luxuries through work, he may turn to criminal activity because he wants to be like his peers as he feels pushed out. Sociologists believe that to some extent, relative deprivation is the key cause of crime in society however there are some other aspects that affect this. Sub-cultural theories are a belief of some sociologists where crime is explained by saying that criminals learn how to commit these crimes from their peer groups or subculture. Cohen in 1955 completed a study on working class boys in North America and found that they were easily involved in gangs. One aspect that was said to have pushed them away from the education system and towards these gangs was because they had middle class standards and values and these boys were unable to live up to the high expectations of these teachers.
Juveniles look for people and groups of people who same their same morals and values of life. Social, economic, and culture factors plays a role in why juveniles join gangs. One of the most common reason for a juvenile to join a gang is to belong. When juveniles join gangs they feel they belong to a family. Food, shelter, and money causes juveniles to turn to gangs.
There are so many reasons as to which juveniles can talk themselves into joining gangs. Reasons having to do with family problems or even involvement in the gangs, to friends being there, making money fast and having a sense of “security” when with his or her gang members. One of the main reasons why kids partake in gang activity is because of a neglected feeling from their family. “If young people aren’t getting positive attention from parents, joining a gang certainly provides lots of negative attention. Youth who are angry at a parent may join a gang to shock or be defiant toward the parent”.
Gang violence is pretty much defined as the rivalry between different groups of people. Before I started researching gang violence I knew that there are gangs everywhere and almost all of them are very violent. When your in a gang it’s pretty much your family. You have to do anything for them. I also knew that gangs appeal to young people because there’s a lot of power that you get.
Young teens today join gangs due to the peer pressure of their peers, and for attention. I believe that humans are influenced into gangs by society such as in media, the government, movies, drugs and the main one our economic system. All my questions where answered after attending “Fresno speaking out against Gangs” and being able to listen to former members of gangs. The panelists told us life stories
As shown in City of God the underprivileged children in this community suffered from a lack of so many of life necessities, that they were willing to participate in anything that they could to earn a little extra money; even joining a gang. They ended up joining these gangs because the encouragement to join a gang is just like it is in every other city: temporary protection, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to make more money than anyone else in the neighborhood. City of God was a perfect example how poverty and crime are linked. It would seem as though the people in this movie were unable to obtain any resources that would improve their condition. With that being said, it is no wonder as to why the young men of this city were involved in committing small to major acts of crime.
Because this method of dealing with confrontations seemed to work and in a way demand respect, the Barrios began to develop a “Code of the Street" attitude in which they valued their toughness as a means to get respect over the economic progress that they saw as impossible. (Elijah Anderson, 1999). By standing up physically to their oppressors, the Mexican community gained a sense of control and self worth in their lives. As this subculture grew within the Chicano community, toughness became the way of proving your manhood and gaining respect instead of economic success. The Chicano community did not have many “successful” role models, except their parents who were exploited in their jobs for long hours and little pay.
Police brutality has been a problem within our society for some time now. Due to the many amount of cases, police brutality has shaped a view amongst the lower class that enforcers of the law tend to take advantage of their given power. Seems like police officers feel as if their implementation of the law is a congressional shield against the consequences of violating laws. In most cases of police brutality there is excessive force being used and unnecessary physical force and sometimes even deadly force. Police brutality has impacted our society because it changed the view of local authority; they went from being heroes of our communities to the vigilantes that we watch over our shoulders.
Their influence on a community is determined by their criminal behavior, the abuse of their victims, and their participation in already existing gangs. Research proposes that involvement of ex-convicts in youth gangs increases the life of gangs and their level of violent crime, in part because of the ex-convicts’ increased taste for violence following imprisonment and history they contribute to youth gangs (Howell and Decker, 1999). Despite the corruption, prison can offer inmates a chance to form an irreplaceable bond. Without experience and advice, a prisoner cannot survive life in prison. In Felon, Smith acted as Porter’s mentor.