Gangs, and Deviance - 2392 Words

You think of a group of hoodlums who tote guns, sell drugs, and ruin neighborhoods as thugs, and gang members. These are things not tolerated or seen as good in society so it’s considered a violation of social norms. A street gang is group of people that form an allegiance based on various social needs and engage in acts that can cause harm to public health and safety. Members of street gangs engage in, or have engaged in gang-focused criminal activity either individually or as a group, they create and fear and intimidation in the community. They are punished by society and the consequences are different depending on the types of crimes committed. Societies â€Å"punishments† on the crime committed is what sociologist consider deviance; and†¦show more content†¦Their festivities exhibited a blatant, vitriolic anti-Catholic bias (Fawkes and his group had been Catholics trying to topple a Protestant government). Each year the respective gangs, dressed in masks, costumes, tricorns and pointed grenadier hats, would parade an effigy of the pope and one of the Devil, â€Å"clad in tar and feathers† on a large platform, which was carried by a crowd on a large platform surrounded by burning firecrackers. Small boys concealed below the platforms worked strings attached to the figures, which would â€Å"elevate and move around at proper intervals the movable head† as they were carried toward Boston Common. Some gang-members would blow horns and conch-shells known as â€Å"Pope-horns.† Every house along the route was required to contribute money â€Å"to the expense of the show†. If they did not, windows would be broken, or the house otherwise damaged. The procession would continue through the Common, past the state house, and would typically end on Cornhill or Copp’s Hill, where the effigies were consumed in giant bonfires—and the two mighty clans would engage in a violent contest of strength and arms† (Ben Miller, 1). â€Å"In 1745, a newspaper described one of these events: â€Å"Tuesday last being the Anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, two Popes were made and carried tho’ the Streets in the evening , one from theShow MoreRelatedThe Influence of Geography and Social Networks on Gang Violence1520 Words   |  7 PagesGang violence is becoming a known threat in our country. Gang violence is defined as a group of people by repetitive socializing individuals or close friends with recognizable influence and inner coordination. These gangs will claim full control over a region in a community, town, or specific area which will lead to the involvement of violent crimes and unlawful behavior as a group or even by oneself. Since these gangs are increasing in size in communities, citizens of certain areas are beginningRead MoreWhat Causes Deviance And What Is The Definition Of Deviance859 Words   |  4 PagesIn the field of sociology there are various competing theories t hat attempt to determine what causes deviance and what is the definition of deviance. In an effort to explain why gang membership exists in today’s society, there is one theory that stands out from the rest: Sutherland’s differential association. Sutherland’s differential association theory explains deviant behavior as something that is â€Å"learned through associations† rather than solely based upon the community that one is fostered inRead MoreYouth Deviance Essay1376 Words   |  6 PagesDeviance is defined as the recognized violation of cultural norms. This is an extremely broad definition, and depending on who is explaining it, the above definition can mean a variety of different things. Critically examine the theory of deviance with reference to young people and their membership in deviant subcultures or gangs. Deviance is associated with young people today and is rapidly on the increase within the street and school environment. Young deviants are engaging in gang membershipRead MoreGang Affiliation and Social Factors Underlying their Deviant Behavior1460 Words   |  6 PagesWe have discussed gang affiliation and the social factors underlying their deviant behavior, however, the motives for why people engage in this deviant behavior have different sociological theoretical explanations. I will use the following theories to interpret and analyze this cause of deviance. Functionalist theory/perspective The Functionalist theory through the studies of Durkheim, states that society is comprised of a greater network of parts that contributes to its stability. The functionalistRead MoreDeviance And Its Effect On Society1328 Words   |  6 PagesIn the United States of America, societal deviance changes nearly on a daily basis. Depending on the current culture, deviance is modified to make societal heroes like celebrities, political figures, and sport players look less deviant and more like role models for the public. The change in what is considered â€Å"normal† is customarily a result of society in general. By using a reference group of people, individuals tend to identify with those who are in the lime light. Then when that role model doesRead MoreSin Nombre Movie Essay1459 Words   |  6 Pagessee what caused the people to get into the gangs and how the gangs acted to the people. The socialization theory is shown in the sense that the gang makes people believe that they are a part of a family when they join. The last concept I used was deviance because of all the violence that happened in the movie. DESCRIPTION OF THE MOVIE In Cary Fukunaga’s groundbreaking movie Sin Nombre we see a young man by the name of Willy in the Mara Salvatrucha gang. In the opening minutes of the film we see WillyRead Morere various reasons behind young people joining street gangs. One of the reasons young people800 Words   |  4 Pagesre various reasons behind young people joining street gangs. One of the reasons young people join street gangs is because of neighborhood disadvantages. A theory that can contribute to why young people might join street gangs is Social Disorganization Theory. Social Disorganization theory assumes that â€Å"delinquency emerges in neighborhoods where neighborhood relation and social institutions have broken down and can no longer maintain effective social controls (Bell, 2007).† Social DisorganizationRead MoreWhy Young People Join Gangs819 Words   |  4 PagesThere are various reasons behind young people joining street gangs. One of the reasons young people join street gangs is because of neighborhood disadvantages. A theory that can contribute to why young people might join street gangs is Social Disorganization Theory. Social Disorganization theory assumes that â€Å"delinquency emerges in neighborhoods where neighborhood relation and social institutions have broken down and can no longer maintain effective social controls (Bell, 2007).† Social DisorganizationRead MoreDeviance, Social Device And Social Control928 Words   |  4 PagesDeviance and Social Control No one person is born evil or born to be a criminal. We all come into this world with innocent, curiosity, the need for love and with both heart and mind empty and ready to be filled and nurtured. We as humans love to believe that we are in total control of our future and that we can change what we want to change but we’re wrong. There are two things in this world that determine who we are going to be and what we do and they are social factors and society. Society seesRead MoreThe Collection Of Data By Having People Answer A Series Of Questions996 Words   |  4 PagesSurvey/pg. 130: the collection of data by having people answer a series of questions. In the video documentary on the world’s most dangerous gang, a survey was basically being taken the whole time. Lisa Laang, the interviewer, was collecting data about this gang during the entire short film. Not only did she ask them a series of questions, but literally rolled with them for a few weeks and discovered new things to ask questions about. For example, the woman sat in the car with them watching their