CRIMINOLOGY PAPER

Social disorganization is a criminology theory that correlates crime rates in an area to the level of disorganization in a community (Sullivan, 2009). This theory often refers to urban areas, but can include rural and suburban areas also. Disorganization in neighborhoods can manifest in several different ways, such as a breakdown in formal social controls, like schools, and employment in the area. The effects of the breakdown systematically compound upon each other (Sullivan, 2009). As employment breaks down, unemployment increases leading to higher crime rates, as people who cannot find legitimate employment look for ways to become financially stable. When schools begin to fail, graduation rates drop resulting in a more difficult environment to locate employment. Moreover, social disorganization disrupts communal problem solving; issues are not properly addressed and only amplified over time. This cascading effect of difficulties piles one problem on top of the next, increasing crime rates as neighborhoods fall into disarray. From the mid 1980’s through the early 1990’s Dallas, Texas was experiencing an economic depression. At the height of the recession, Texas averaged a 9.5% unemployment rate compared to the national average of 5.5% unemployment (Duca, Organ & Weiss, 2014). A direct correlation can also be established between unemployment and crime rates in Texas during that same time period. Between 1985 and 1995, violent crime in Texas peaked in 840 victims per 100,000 in 1991 (“Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics: TEXAS 1985-1995”, 2016). This is the situation that Mr. Douglas found himself in. After 12-years of steady employment Mr. Douglas could not find a job. The disorganization of the community during the recession led to his decision to become involved in his family’s criminal activity. Social disorganization can also directly complement another criminology theory, the Strain Theory.

The strain theory states that a person who is experiencing stress or stain has a higher probability of participating in criminal activity than someone who is not (Agnew, 2008). These stressors can be a wide variety of issues such as breakup of a relationship, unemployment, lack of financial stability, or illness. Involvement in criminal activity can sometimes alleviate some of these stressors that a person may be experiencing. For example, a person who is financially unstable may turn to burglary or prostitution in an effort to reach financial goal. This theory can also include aspects of opportunity in an environment. At the core of everything, most people have comparable goals, but unfortunately not everyone has the required skillset or opportunity to reach these goals (Agnew, 2008). These stressors can also influence a normally law-abiding citizen to disregard delayed gratification of their goals, and fall prey to the instant gratification that sometimes can be achieved through criminal activity. As discussed in social disorganization, Mr. Douglas’ decision making process was influenced by the loss of his conventional employment. His direct strain manifested as the need to provide for his family. When he was unable to acquire legitimate employment, the stress of providing for his family swayed Mr. Douglas’ decision to begin illegal endeavors.

One single theory cannot fully explain the circumstances and actions that Mr. Douglas took; it was a mixture of all three theories that led to his involvement in criminal activity. The social learning theory can be applied by examining the long term exposer of the drug trade that his family was participating in. The economic depression that gripped Texas during this time period can directly tie into social disorganization. Unable to find work, Mr. Douglas saw no other alternative than to begin selling illegal narcotics, as a mean for financial stability. The stresses and strains that Mr. Douglas was experiencing were enough to sway his decision to abandon his attempt for legitimate employment, turning to the illegal business that his family was already participating in. Mr. Douglas wanted to provide for his family, but unfortunately his decision led to his arrest and incarceration. All three theories can directly apply to this case; economic and community turmoil (Social Disorganization Theory), long term exposure to close relatives participating in criminal activity (Social Learning Theory), and Mr. Douglas was strained and stressed to provide for his family (Strain theory). Mr. Douglas’ disproportionate and unnecessary lengthy sentence aside, the Dallas community could have taken steps to diminish the likelihood of this same scenario playing out again. It is easy to be a leader when things are going great; true leadership happens in the face of diversity. When Dallas began to slip into recession, officials in public office should have taken actions to increase employment opportunities within the community. Public works programs could reinforce needed employment while the community overall begins to recover; this is a costly venture, but will save countless taxpayer’s dollars on future incarceration costs. Programs like this can also be extremely beneficial to the community as a whole; parks get cleaned, infrastructure gets much needed attention, and people are provided with positive examples on how to care for their fellow citizens.

References

A Living Death: Life without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses. (2016). Aclu.org. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/111813-lwop-complete-report.pdf#page=41

Agnew, R. (2008). Strain theory. In V. N. Parrillo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of social problems (Vol. 2, pp. 904-905). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412963930.n550

Akers, R. & Jennings, W. (2009). Social learning theory. In J. M. Miller 21st Century criminology: A reference handbook (pp. 323-331). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412971997.n37

Cocaine and Crack Facts and Effects. (2016). Drugpolicy.org. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/cocaine-and-crack-facts

Duca, J., Organ, E., & Weiss, M. (2014). From the 1980s’ Oil Bust to the Shale Oil Boom. Retrieved 2 March 2016, from https://www.dallasfed.org/assets/documents/research /events/2014/14tengallon_duca.pdf

Sullivan, L. E. (2009). Social disorganization. In The SAGE glossary of the social and behavioral sciences (Vol. 3, pp. 477-477). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412972024.n2353

Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics: TEXAS 1985-1995. (2016). Ucrdatatool.gov. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from http://www.ucrdatatool.gov/Search/Crime /State/RunCrimeTrends InOneVar.cfm