External Restraint Theory Paper

Two different subculture theories link racial differences in crime to racial differences in social class: the subculture of violence theory particular the one proposed by Marvin Wolfgang and Franco Ferracuti and various theories on subculture of poverty. The subculture of violence is a theory that states that high rates of violence in inner-city communities existed because the people who live in the area carried pro-violence values and norms. The idea behind this is that people living in violent areas will become very use to the violence, allowing for people to normally carry the norms and values behind violence, therefore the people will be more violent. With that in mind, the subculture of poverty thesis says that the values of the poor directly cause crime because people with a certain kind of characteristics tend to engage in crime rather than patiently wait for opportunities. In addition to the subculture of poverty theory, people in poverty indirectly cause crime because their values do not hold education and hard work as high as those in more well off

Violence is one of the most exaggerated forms of physical aggression and it can exist for a series of reasons. It involves a person or a group of persons acting against another person or groups of persons with the purpose to achieve one or several diverse goals. In many cases violence results from individuals perceiving the acts of other people as hostile and thus wanting to act against these people before it is too late. Depending on the situation, more or less individuals might get involved in an act of violence, especially when they consider that it would be essential for them to do so.

What causes people to be or become violent is the question that I should address first. For some time, some 20-30 years ago, everyone believed crime and murder was left for underdeveloped and uncivilized lands. It is recognised now that this is not the case. In terms of social causes, there are plenty: how their family bonds, the person’s own characteristics, their development as a child,

Violence causes more than 1.6 million deaths worldwide every year. Violence is one of the leading causes of death in all parts of the world for persons ages 15 to 44. A starting statistic that many actively choose to ignore. Violence is a growing issue one mankind needs to address.

Initially gang activity could only be found in large metropolitan cities, but now gangs have invaded neighborhoods of all sizes across the country. Gangs introduce violence and fear to the communities they occupy, raise the level of drug activities, and destroy businesses and property which brings down the overall value of the whole area. Instead of going to school, many young people find themselves drawn in to the gang life which in most cases either leads to being locked up or death. There are various reasons why people would want to join a gang, but no matter what that reason might be one can only expect a life of violence and troubles.

Violence is a social construct that has been glorified around the world and made accessible through the media (Killingbeck 2001). Violence is portrayed as being something that is part of the everyday world; it is made out to be an acceptable form of behaving and handling situations. This notion has greatly contributed to the propagation of school shootings and the death of innocent children and adults. By reducing the glorification that violence carries and the exploitation of the aftermath, school shootings can be reduced greatly. The media, television, video games, and the Internet are constantly portraying a world full that thinks that violence is the way to resolve issues (Killingbeck 2001). Gun violence is also portrayed as being a resolution to just about everything, when in fact it has been guns that have been the cause of all school shootings to begin with (Muschert 2007). The media glorifies school

Gangs have direct effects on a society, such as increased levels of crime, violence and murder. Gangs also have long-term or late suggestions in that gang members are more likely to drop out of high school, struggle with unemployment, abuse drugs and alcohol or in end up in jail. These factors not only contribute to the gang members, but they also force taxpayers to pay for welfare and community-assistance programs. Common reasons for the younger generation to join gangs, include trying to find a place where they belong and sharing in mutual desires for safety from family problems or life challenges. Together, the feelings and attitudes among gang members haze them to act violently, often self-contradictory with rival gangs. This violence leads to injury and death of not only members but also of bystanders in the community. High gang activity also causes fear among community members, discourages business activity and obstructs home-value appreciation. Communities, also must pay for higher levels of law enforcement when gangs are prominent.

“The practice of violence, like all action, changes the world, but the most probable change is to a more violent world” (Arendt pg 80). Violence is contagious, like a disease, which will destroy nations and our morals as human beings. Each individual has his or her own definition of violence and when it is acceptable or ethical to use it. Martin Luther King Jr., Walter Benjamin, and Hannah Arendt are among the many that wrote about the different facets of violence, in what cases it is ethical, the role we as individuals play in this violent society and the political aspects behind our violence.

Most violent acts committed in modern times are seen as unthinkable and heinous. Today’s culture appears to be at its most serene and peaceful. However, this may not be true. Today’s culture is still one of extreme violence and is comparable to some of history’s most horrific times. Over the course of history, violence in culture has been in fluctuation but has always been considerably aggressive. Modern violent culture is comparable to history’s as society’s forms of entertainment are still violent, racial, domestic, and religious. Disputes still occur and lastly, war and cruel punishments still exist in the world. Fortunately, there is hope as violence, although still existing, seems to be improving and slowly diminishing.

These factors include a family’s position in the social hierarchy, family violence and substance abuse, and negligence within a family. Everyone is impacted socially by their status and make decisions resulting from this. In reality, gangs do provide power. This power, however, has a negative impact and can result in dangerous actions being taken. The consequences of these actions include going to jail and death of the gang member or their loved ones. Joining gangs may initiate from the family but it also has a reciprocal effect of hurting them. This is sometimes due to the poor socialization of children. Joining a gang, however is not a normative event and is not foreseen by theoretical perspectives. The impacts of joining a gang are significant as they harm society as a whole and increase the death rate. Unfortunately, there is an increasing amount of youth gangs in Canada which is becoming harder to control. Many organizations such as the RCMP are taking action to prevent youth joining gangs. Children are with an authority figure from the day they are born and if they happen to face hardships, the chances of them integrating into a gang intensifies. Overall, influences begin from the household an individual is grown up in. Habits, beliefs, and actions come from the process of nurturing and if it does not suit the needs of the child, the child will begin to see youth gangs as an open

The subculture of southern violence theory is just one of many cultural transmissions theories discussed in Miller’s text. Cultural transmission theories determine that the values, beliefs, and norms of subcultures (deviant or no) contrast with the dominant culture. Therefore, it is possible for a subculture to justify criminal behavior as normal or necessary when it comes to one’s reputation and self-defense. Because the southern region of the United States is known to have high crime rates than other regions of the United States and as a whole, the subculture of violence theory was hypothesized by Wolfgang and Ferracuti during the late 1960s. Other researchers: Ball-Rokeach, 1973; Erlanger, 1974; and Hartnagel, 1980 theorized what factors may be the cause of the high crime rates in the southern region as well. This discussion will explore the implications of whether or not their findings adequately support the existence of the subculture of southern violence theory.

There are two sides to many things, one could argue that there are two sides to everything. Violence is not excluded from this argument. The two possible sides, or viewpoints, that are a result of violence can easily be seen as extremes of either side. One side could argue that violence is something that is necessary and the other argue that violence is only a tool for destruction. People who insist that violence is necessary in order to move forward view it as a way to sway the outcome to their benefit. For those who see violence as a cowardly tactic to control people, violence is a useless display of power and dominance. Yet violence has also been a way to defend oneself from people who pose a threat. This can lead people who have good

When individuals decided to get involve in those type of activities many of them do it for specific reasons. For example, people join gang for acceptance, protection, and some are forced into it, because of their family are gang affiliated. Gangs partake endlessly in finding different method for individuals to more effectively get the things they want, particularly power. Therefore, people that are easily influenced tends to gravitate toward gang activities for recognition in the community. According to Goldman, Giles, & Hogg (2014), “Gang members’ actions impact other gang members as well as the wider community; everyone is at risk of being a victim of gang violence” (p. 825). Gang violence goes further than racial issue, but it more intensely touches African American and Latino communities.

Another reason violence can occur is because of relationships. If someone thinks or knows they are in love with someone and they break their heart that person may think they cannot live by themselves. Some people might be dependent on others because they do not have any other social support. Even if they are talking online to someone and they ignore the person. The certain person may feel lonely and can cause violence toward themselves or another person.

Teen Violence is a big dilemma in today’s society. Violent behaviors usually start from family and peers, as well as teens observing it at there neighborhoods or communities. These behaviors are reinforced by what youth see on television, on the Internet, in video games, movies, music videos, and what they hear in their music. When children are disciplined with severe corporal punishment or verbal abuse, or when they are physically or sexually abused, or when they witness such behavior in their home, it is not surprising that they behave violently toward others. Teen Violence has had such an impact in our youth today that it leads many destructive things and that’s why we have so much violence today.