Individual Involvement In Crimes

Young African American females that grow up in disadvantaged neighborhoods will face many unpleasant realities and are susceptible to becoming a victim of harassment, abuse, assault and/or crimes (Peterson, 2008). Many of these young girls will experience different types of harassment and assault. These can range from verbal, sexual or gender-based harassment, physical and/or sexual abuse, such as rape and even something as horrible as being gang raped and they may also experience intimate partner violence (Miller, 2008). This is a subject that is understudied and often ignored. These incidences can occur anywhere, including in their own neighborhood, at unsupervised parties and also on school grounds (Miller, 2008). More times than not, these incidents are committed by someone they know, like a friend or family member (Miller, 2008). There are many negative consequences that these girls will face in light of the issues that they have to deal with on a regular basis. Some of these consequences can affect their performance at school, their physical and emotional well-being, …show more content…
Their theoretical perspective explains how there is a new way of thinking about race and crime and this perspective incorporates structural and cultural arguments concerning race, crime and inequality (Sampson & Wilson, 1995). Sampson & Wilson (1995) link between race and crime highlights the very different environmental contexts in which black and white individuals live, regardless of individual characteristics. Sampson & Wilson (1995) stress that crime rates among black individuals vary by environmental characteristics, just as they do for white individuals. Both facts suggest a powerful role for community context when explaining race and crime (Sampson & Wilson,