Social Disorganization Theory Paper

As social disorganization has been described as the disruption and breakdown of social structures, which then results in the loss of social control in certain areas of the community; the overall goal of the social disorganization theory is to link crime rates directly to neighborhoods ecological characteristics (Bond, 2015). As it had been established at the University of Chicago during the 1920s during a time of social unrest, it became well-established during this time and has remained a prominent fixture of criminology studies for more than 75 years (Siegel, p. 185). But while, each theory of criminology focuses on the different causes of criminality, I have found this theory to be most in line with my personal beliefs as I found that …show more content…
As I have been able to relate to and find that the Social Disorganization Theory most closely fits with my personal beliefs, there are still others who equally believe that their chosen theory better explains this phenomenon. The two theories which have maintained a good following by criminologists even today are the Biosocial and the Social Control Theory, each of which supports their philosophies and provides arguments as to why these theories are still applicable today. Nevertheless, I still maintain that the Social Disorganization Theory holds more weight in today’s environment of criminal behavior, as it is able to better explain why crime rates are higher in certain communities than …show more content…
Because when communities become invested at a personal level with their residents, this recognizes that multiple aspects including crime rates become ineradicably tied to the environment of communities. An aspect that the Social Control Theory has fails to identify. This theory would instead propose that these social ties which bind individuals to a community reinforce an individual’s ideals and prevents them from turning to criminal activities and only those who are improperly socialized turn to deviant behavior (Siegel, p. 226). However, the key difference which this theory has faulted itself on has been that it essentially overlooks the actuality that crime will occur, while the Social Disorganization theory realizes that criminal activities will occur regardless of social reinforcements. Further In today’s environment of social unrest, we must be aware of the reality that criminal behavior will occur, and this is what makes the Social Disorganization theory more realistic at the community