Social Structure Theories of Delinquency

Social Structure Theories

1.    Suggest that social and economic forces operating in deteriorated lower-class areas are key

determinant of delinquent behavior patterns

a.   youth residing in poverty stricken, lower class neighborhoods become enculturated with values

that often lead to delinquency

2.    Social disorganization theory focuses on conditions within urban  environment that affect

delinquency rates

a.   socially disorganized areas are characterized by the breakdown of institutions (family, school,

commercial) that fulfill important roles in community cohesion 

b. long term poverty undermines a community and it’s residents

c. kids in these areas are typically at higher risk for delinquency

d. note emphasis on social ecology perspective

3.   strain theory holds that delinquency is functions of conflict  between goals people have and means they can use to obtain them

a.   members of the lower class are unable to achieve material goals by traditional means, which

lead to feelings of anger (strain) and can ultimately lead to delinquency

b.   different individuals cope with strain differently

c.   sharp divisions between the rich and the poor create an atmosphere of envy

  4.         cultural deviance theory combines elements of strain and social disorganization

a.   embraces idea of cultural tranmission, or the process in which subcultural values are passed

on intergenerationally

Class Activity

Read chapter 4. Based on your readings and your understanding of Socially disorganized Theory and Strain theory. Do the following:

 Virtually or physically tour a socially disorganized section of your town.  Analyze the amount of graffiti and disorganization in that neighborhood. If possible interview administration and staff. Examine presence of adult businesses compared with churches and other community organizations. Complete a PowerPoint Presentation of your findings. Include pictures and diagrams.

Include an interview with a teacher in the public school system.  After discussing the concept of the middle-class measuring rod and delinquency with the teacher, write a summary of the teacher’s thoughts about this relationship. 

Presentation Outline

1. Overview of Environment (economic, poverty level, demographic, etc.)

2. Crime in Environment (Crime statistics, include charts and Hotspot map)

3. Data collected (graffiti and disorganization. Include photos, maps, etc.)

4. Schools Located in area interviews with administration, teachers (middle-class measuring rod and delinquency), and staff. Questions related to social disorganized theory.

5. Audit what type of businesses operate in environment. (Present findings in a chart. Quantify).

6. Summary : Group analysis of applying Socially disorganized Theory and Strain theory to selected area and school.

October 11th - Overview of assignment, selection of area, development of plan, and assign tasks.

October 16th - Environment Observation and documentation. Schedule interviews with school (s).

October 18th - Environment documentation day or library day to put together for presentation.

October 23rd - Presentations will be on October 23rd