CRJ 502- MD 5

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Arizona State University *

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502

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Sociology

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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2

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How can neighborhood theories explain current social problems such as the concentration of crime and the mass incarceration of African American males? Theories can explain current social problems based on studies that demonstrated outcomes such as concentration of crime and mass incarceration of African American males. Culture theory explains the relationship between crime and neighborhoods, and throughout our reading material, it is well-detailed by Sampson. Sampson suggested that ignoring prevailing culture in urban areas results in an incomplete understanding of why crime occurs (Cullen et al., 2022). Therefore, it is essential to take notice of the various cultures in different areas to see how social problems like crime and the incarceration of males are highlighted. In earlier readings, Sampson details how it may not seem like inequality; however, male African Americans are affected more than one may notice. African Americans can experience discrimination, not getting hired due to employers' prejudice, and may be looked at more closely if out shopping compared to a white individual (Cullen et al., 2022). It shows how African American males take the burner more consistently than white males, and their neighborhoods heighten that influence. If this were the case, it would be provided greater risk for a male African American to resort to crime without employment or for someone having police contact for being mistakenly accused of shoplifting. The way neighborhoods connect with the culture theory is also linked to inner-city violence and what people experience because exposure will increase the opportunity for further recidivism. Additionally, Wilson, who makes suggestions alongside Sampson and has delved into culture theory, has indicated that "consistent support exists for the theory's continued relevance as an explanation of variation in crime across communities (Cullen et al., 2022)." Meaning disadvantaged communities where youths live in segregated housing, attend schools where the population is mainly minority groups, and rarely travel (Cullen et al., 2022) are being kept away from other youths' opportunities. Therefore, those more affluent children watching their parents engage in prosocial routines are experiencing life differently, whereas youth in opposite sections see that as an American dream. Crime ensues in time for the youth with fewer opportunities as they strive to have the American dream, even if they opt to go for it in a crime-offending way. It is like building blocks, neighborhoods, and where one is growing up, it develops into a social problem resulting in crime leading to arrest. Lastly, theories provide insight into different roots to learn the causes and explain a topic. It is supposed to shed lighter on questions such as this one – crime, arrest, and neighborhoods. Culture theory fits well as it goes back to socioeconomic factors when it describes how
culture builds the path to crime; what one observes and is surrounded by can assess their criminogenic needs. Question: How do theories like culture theory compare to other theories that explain neighborhoods and crime? Are there different variations, or do they seem to be similar just with different techniques/characteristics? Citation Cullen, F., Agnew, F., & Wilcox, P. (2022). The Chicago school: The city, social disorganization, and crime. In Cullen, F., Agnew, F., & Wilcox, P.  (Eds.).  Criminological Theory: Past to Present Essential Readings (7th ed., pp. 33-44) . Oxford University Press.  
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