Gang Emergence and Social Disorganization Theory

 The five-stage theory of gang focus on group development where people with different personalities come together and forms social cohesion. As they form social relationships, cohesive units and share viewpoints and knowledge, they are able to solve problems together, find solutions, increase performance and achieve their goals (O'Connell & Cuthbertson, 2009).  However, the members of the group must go through five states so that they can achieve their goals; the group progresses through the following stages;

Forming

 In this stage, members are interested in knowing the purpose of the group and the role that they are expected to play. Since there not operation procedures to guide the members, they form social cohesion or they develop relationships where they share information and make decisions regarding norms and roles (O'Connell & Cuthbertson, 2009). This stage is known as the forming stage since members spend a higher amount of energy in knowing each other, defining and analyzing roles and ensuring that the group is in equilibrium.

Storming

            This group is characterized by conflict and disagreement due to the rise of power and hierarchy of status. The members focus on making clear goals, roles, norm and leaders who will lead the group. However, many people may struggle against domination and recognition and portray negative behaviors such as jealousy, distrust and more (O'Connell & Cuthbertson, 2009). Yet, the conflict, struggle, and tension allow the members to resolve their differences, becomes versatile and stronger, develops a common understanding and mutuality of concern, creates stronger bonds and works together as a team.

 

Norming

 Having gone through struggle and conflict, the members resolve the issues and develops, cohesion and social agreements. In addition, they create group norms and outlines the acceptable behaviors and focus on task completion.  Members understand their roles, develops a spirit of co-operation, share common goals and work together as a team.

Performing

At this stage, members perform their assigned tasks effectively and efficiently since the group is already matured. Effectively performance is influences by clear and achievable goals and objectives, a positive structure and proper operating procedures (O'Connell & Cuthbertson, 2009). The members know each other in terms of skills and capabilities, they have an effective leadership and effective communication. These factors allow the group members to jump into action and to achieve success.

Adjourning

            After the group members have accomplished their goals, the team disbands. If the team members have fulfilled the group's purpose, the members may develop a ceremonial acknowledgment. However, a conflict may arise if the group has stopped to exist due to the failure of achieving goals and when the members separate ways unexpectedly.

 

 The five-stage of gang formation has strengths in that the group members are from different back groups and as they combine multiple cultures, they share knowledge and skills, form social cohesion and become more productive. They understand each other's strengths and weaknesses and forms positive dynamics. The team members also accomplish their goals not only by understanding the destination of the group but also by trusting each other (O'Connell & Cuthbertson, 2009). However, the theory has some weaknesses in that there is a power struggle where people want to be in charge of the group. The conflict may result in a dysfunctional team where members lack commitment, avoid accountability and lack of trust.

            There are three main processes by which the social disorganization theory can be attributed to modern-day gangs. The first is family processes- family disruption results in lack of control structures toward youth’s behaviors and lack of capable guardianship which leads to criminal victimization. In other words, family management practices play role in reducing gang violence through monitoring and supervision of behaviors (Piquero, 2016). However, lack of parental attachment and paternal disciple increases delinquency. Second is neighborhood processes-the community should have an informal control mechanism to supervise youth groups, offer support and form social cohesion with them. Lack of these networks may give the youths an opportunity to engage in robbery and other delinquent behaviors (Piquero, 2016). Third is economic deprivation-poor social-economic status and economic inequalities deny the youths the opportunity to engage in constructive things. Thus, the higher poverty level forces them to engage in violent crimes to sustain their lives.

 

            The primary goal of the social disorganization theory explain the hot spots nor the gang set space for gang activity, rather, it tends to show that the root cause of gang voidance among youths is lack of social connectedness. In other words, delinquency and gang formation are influenced by factors such as economic deprivation, racism, war, community fragmentation, family disruptions, lack of social control from the neighborhoods and more (Piquero, 2016). Even though crime hotspots matters, social environment influences the deviant behaviors.

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

O'Connell, T. S., & Cuthbertson, B. (2009). Group dynamics in recreation and leisure: Creating conscious

groups through an experiential approach. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

 

Piquero, A. R. (2016). The handbook of criminological theory. Chichester, West Sussex : Wiley-Blackwell,