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Please read chapter 3, review the power point and answer the following questions

1) What is meant by the concept social and capital and cultural capital. How do they affect criminal behavior?

2) Which theory of crime do you think best explains the prevalence of crime in the United states

3) What standards are used to measure economic inequality? Explain each.

4) Explain differential association theory. Do you agree with it? Why or why not.

Chapter 3

Race, Ethnicity, Social Structure, and Crime

Learning Objectives (SLIDE 1 OF 2)

After reading this chapter:

You will be able to knowledgeably discuss inequalities in income and wealth with respect to race and ethnicity.

You will better understand the nature and extent of inequality in American society with respect to racial and ethnic minorities.

You will be able to explain whether the social and economic gap between whites and people of color narrowing or growing.

Learning Objectives (slide 2 OF 2)

You will understand how inherited wealth perpetuates inequality in terms of opportunities for employment and education.

You will understand what we know about the relationship between social and economic inequality and crime, and how the leading theories of crime help explain that relationship.

You will be knowledgeable about the impact of reform efforts designed to reduce inequality, including the civil rights movement and different anti-poverty efforts.

Two Societies

1968 Kerner Commission

“…our Nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate & unequal.”

2010 Reality

Unemployment

is up and job opportunities are down

The unemployment rate for African Americans teens was twice the rate for Whites (8.8% vs 4.3%) and 37% higher for Hispanics (5.9% vs 4.3%)

Economic inequality

(SLIDE 1 OF 3)

Patterns of Economic Inequality

a large gap between rich and poor, without regard to race or ethnicity;

a large economic gap between white Americans and racial minorities

the growth of the very poor—a group some analysts call an underclass—in the past 40 years

Standard Measure of Economic Inequality

Income

Wealth

Unemployment

Poverty

status

Economic inequality (slide 2 OF 3)

Income

Standard measure of economic status

Household yearly earnings

Wide gaps along racial & ethnic lines

Median household income in 2014

$60,256 for whites

$35,398 for African Americans

$42,491 for Hispanics

Larger gap now than ever in history

National Research Council, “the economic status of blacks relative to whites has, on average, stagnated or deteriorated

Economic inequality (slide 3 OF 3)

Wealth

Key to survival

All assets (e.g. home, stocks, cars)

Income connected to ability to save and acquire wealth

Family wealth as of 2013 by race

$144,900 for whites

$11,000 for African Americans

$13,700 for Hispanic households

Understanding Culture and Poverty

Wages consider to decrease within working-class levels. Highest wage differential witnessed in society between upper and lower class.

2014 the top 1 percent owned 43 percent of the wealth, the next 2-4 percent owned 29 percent and the remaining 85 percent (that is, most Americans) owned only 28 percent

Earned income is influenced by class, race and gender.

Social Structure and culture produce and reproduce poverty

Learned Helplessness

Learned Hopelessness

Unemployment (SLIDE 1 OF 2)

Unemployment rate gap

2016 unemployment rates

4.3-percent for whites

5.9-percent for Hispanics

8.8-percent for African Americans

2016 unemployment rates for African American teenagers (16-19 year olds)

14.4-percent for whites

18.0-percent for Hispanics

25.2-percent for African Americans

Unemployment (slide 2 OF 2)

Limitations in official unemployment rate counts

Counts only Actively Seeking Employment

Does not count three important groups

discouraged workers who have given up and are not looking for work

part-time employees who want full-time jobs but cannot find them

workers in the ‘‘underground economy,’’ who are paid in cash to avoid paying taxes and Social Security withholding.

Poverty Status (SLIDE 1 OF 2)

US government definition

Below minimum needed for adequate living

Poverty status of racial & ethnic groups especially significant

Many variables associated with poverty…

Inadequate nutrition

Low education

Weaker support system

Higher crime risk (as victim or offender)

Poverty Status (slide 2 OF 2)

Poverty

In 2014 the official poverty line was $24,230 for a family of four

14.8 percent of all Americans were below the poverty line

10.1 percent of non-Hispanic whites were in poverty

26.2 percent of African Americans were in poverty

23.6 percent of Hispanics were in poverty

Some economists have estimated that a family of four really needs an income of $38,700 a year to live adequately.

Insurance Coverage

About 33 million Americans had NO health insurance in 2014

24.4% of all Hispanics

19.9% of all African Americans

9.7% of all Whites

In 2015, 62 percent of personal bankruptcies in the U.S. were due to medical bills not covered by insurance (up from 46 percent in 2001).

Tough Reality

A minimum-wage job paying $7.25per hour (the federally mandated level in 2010) yields an annual income of $14,500 ($7.25 × 40 hours/week × 50 weeks). This is only 66 percent of the official poverty line of $22,050 for a family of four (2009 official figure).

Social Capital and Cultural Capital

Economic capital

Financial resources

Social capital

Network of friends, relationships, & contacts

Cultural capital

Education, knowledge, skills/trade

These have tremendous impact on odds of becoming a victim (or criminal).

Debate Over The

Underclass

Very poor concentrated in inner cities

Conditions among poor

Tend to perpetuate poverty

Create crimogenic factors (e.g., family breakdown)

Limit access to social capital that would help them escape

Economic growth mostly in white suburbs

Service jobs not enough to support a family

Professional jobs beyond reach

Residential segregation

limits access

Community

Social Structure

Communities made up of smaller communities

Aspects of community:

Spatial distribution of population

Patterns of neighborhood interaction

Neighborhood composition

Social structure

has a significant impact on crime

Residential Segregation

Segregation has always existed historically…

By race, ethnicity, income

Efforts have been made to preserve it…

By restrictions, steering, redlining, poll tax, etc.

Limited government efforts have been made to intervene

Crime and Neighborhood Deterioration
(SLIDE 1 OF 2)

Residential segregation & crime

Residents suffer high rates of predatory crimes

In 2014 the household burglary rate was almost three and a half times higher for the poorest households (less than $7,500 annual income) than the highest income group ($75,000 a year or more).

Encourages residents to pursue crime

Direct impact on crime for those in low income areas crime

Crime and Neighborhood Deterioration (slide 2 OF 2)

Impact of crime & drugs

Direct economic & physical impact on victims

Fear of crime impacts quality of life

Pushes people out of neighborhood

Impacts ability to get insurance

If drug activity dominates a neighborhood, it is difficult for parents to protect children from impact

Theoretical Perspectives on
Inequality & Crime

Many theories attempt to explain crime…

Social strain

Differential association

Social disorganization

Culture conflict

Conflict

Routine activity

Social Strain Theory

Holds that each society has dominant values with acceptable methods of achieving goals

Not all can achieve these goals, or do so acceptably – creating social strain

Rebellion

Retreatism

Innovation

Example

Consider a person living below the poverty line with little opportunity but is exposed to images of the American Dream.

Differential Association Theory

Holds that criminal behavior is learned behavior. The more contact a person has with people who are already involved in crime, the more likely that person is to engage in criminal activity

Example

Consider a juvenile who is exposed to drug use and drug dealers on a constant basis. That juvenile is more likely to become socialized into the benefits of drug use or drug dealing.

Social Disorganization Theory

Focus on inner cities

Holds that poverty conditions reduce influences that socialize people to be law-abiding

Values & behavior are passed on

Example

Inability to participate in school activities, because of poverty

Culture

Conflict Theory

Holds that crime is a matter of definition and is common where there is less agreement on social values

Majority defines social norms and determines what is or is not criminal

Example

Prohibition

Conflict Theory

Holds that CJ administration reflects realities of social inequalities

Powerful groups use CJ system to maintain dominant position

Example

Segregation Era

Legal disenfranchisement of African Americans limited their access to equal justice and other “privileges”

Routine Activity Theory

Shifts focus from offenders to incidents

Stresses role of daily routine(s) in either…

Reinforcing social control, thus preventing crime

Undermining social control, thus increasing crime

Example

From 1940-1970, kids spent increased time with no direct parental supervision

“Poverty Paradox”

Continuation of poverty cycle in the America despite efforts to address such poverty

Civil rights

movement fought to achieve

Equal rights

Economic empowerment

Access to education

Impact on government policy

Major Explanations for
Poverty Persistence

Inadequate welfare system

Transformation of economy, eliminating many earning possibilities

“Poverty culture,” encouraging lack of effort to escape poverty

Debate over social structure vs. individual character

The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement

Turning point in US history

Significantly limited segregation and expanded guarantees of equal rights

Had profound impact on American social structure

Number of African American elected officials increased dramatically, from 33 nationwide in 1941 to 1,469 in 1965 and 8,830 in 1998.

The total number of Hispanic elected officials increased from 3,174 in 1985 to 5,129 in 2007

Attack on Economic Inequality

Democratic and Republican policies have

Created great controversy

Had varied impact on poverty

Affected all racial & ethnic groups

The civil rights movement has

Opened many doors

Not addressed increasing underclass conditions

Conclusion

American social structure impacts relationship of race, ethnicity, and crime

Race and ethnicity are linked to economic and other forms of inequality

Poverty is directly connected to resource access and disenfranchisement

Various theories attempt to explain link between inequality and criminal behavior

Key Terms (SLIDE 1 OF 3)

Civil rights
Community
Conflict
Cultural capital
Culture conflict
Differential association
Economic inequality

Economic specialization

Income

Key Terms (slide 2 OF 3)

Innovation

Networking

Poverty

Public sector

Rebellion
Residential segregation
Retreatism
Routine activity

Social activity

Key Terms (slide 3 OF 3)

Social capital
Social disorganization
Social strain
Social structure

Supply-side economics

Underclass
Wealth

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