American Social Classes

The term “Rabble” as it is used throughout the book is actually used to describe a social class. There is are three distinct social classes in American society; the upper class, the middle class and the lower class. In this book for the purpose of describing the group of people who are considered the “lowest class” or the underclass Irwin uses the term rabble. These people are described as detached, undesirable, disreputable, poor members of society. They do not fit in the conventional social classes for one reason or another and are lumped in to this group because they have one main commonality, current or past history with the law. Throughout the book the rabble is almost always described as living in the same type of area, the rabble zone …show more content…
In Chapter Three Irwin identified types of disreputables. Because disreputables have been identified as rabbles it is reasonable to identify types of disreputables as sub-classes. There is the Petty Hustler. This disreputable spends their time stealing or trying to con to pay to live or pay for their pleasure. They are a bother to the average person. Most of their crime is out in the open and easily detected. The Derelict, which is also mostly a nuisance, are usually arrested for public drunkenness or other petty crimes. The Junkie is addicted to one or more drug and their crimes are connected to supporting their habit. They are usually arrested for drug possession or paraphernalia; or they may steal to support their drug habit. The Outlaw is describes a bit of a “risk taker”. Their crimes are potentially more dangerous to themselves and their victims. The Outlaw commits more dangerous crimes like armed robbery and assault. The Crazies are those who have a history of mental illness and usually refuse hospitalization. Their crimes are trespassing, exposing themselves or defecating. The Corner Boys are usually put on the tough guy act. They are prone to arrest due to the reaction and behavior toward the police. The Lowriders usually exhibit behavior that is threatening to others in racing cars, excessive drinking in public, fighting, destruction …show more content…
This family member would fall in the rabble classification. She was not raised in this category but is there due to drug use and the subsequent criminal activity that follows along with your long time use. She has been ineffectively “controlled” in jail. She has yet to serve any of the sentences she has been handed down on any felony convictions due to the fact that she has had them suspended. She is possibly an example of learning the rabble life in jail. But it is also my opinion that if she would have had speedy trial and judgement would she have been less likely to have lived for the years that she has on and off of the streets as a rabble. Would she have served her time and been able to come out and move on. The outlook on her life now is that in the end she will be serving time anyway. This book has opened up a new perspective for me in regards to the life she lives. I choose not to engage with her because of the pain she causes in our family. That will not change but it certainly helps me understand how she can continue to have arrest after arrest and go in and out of jail and never serve significant time for the crimes she