Many Factors Associated With The Cause

There Are Many Factors That Can Be Associated With The Cause Of Violen

There are many factors that can be associated with the cause of violent crime. Research suggests that some of the factors include severe mental health abnormalities, children who are consistently exposed to violence at home, firearm availability, the independent subculture of violence, and the socialization process, just to name a few. In addition, it has also been found that when homicide occurs, there is often a preexisting relationship that is present. Some relationships include a romantic relationship, narcotic seller/narcotic buyer relationship, or a gang rivalry. Despite the understanding of the aforementioned, criminal justice professionals still have difficulty controlling homicides.

Review Chapter 10 in your primary text, and watch the video Murder Capital USA Ganglands of Chicago, ( ), which discusses the high murder rates in Chicago and focuses on contributing factors (Siegel, 2015; Danzo1212, 2013). In your paper, Critique a criminological theory that explains why homicides occur. Discuss ways to decrease and control homicides in the United States. Discuss some of the factors of focus of the various sociological schools of crime causation that explain why murder occurs. Your paper must Be three to five double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style Use at least six scholarly sources in addition to the course text and the article being evaluated. Document all sources in APA style Include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style

Paper For Above instruction

The persistent issue of homicide in the United States continues to perplex criminologists and policymakers alike. Understanding why homicides occur necessitates a thorough examination of various criminological theories and sociological perspectives that elucidate the underlying causes of violent behavior. This paper aims to critique a prominent criminological theory—the social disorganization theory—and explore strategies to reduce homicide rates in the country. Additionally, it discusses how different sociological schools of crime causation provide insights into the complex phenomenon of murder.

Criminological Theory: Social Disorganization

Among the numerous theories attempting to explain criminal behavior, social disorganization theory offers compelling insights into the roots of homicide. Originally developed by Shaw and McKay in the early 20th century, this theory posits that crime is predominantly a product of neighborhood ecological factors. Specifically, neighborhoods marked by poverty, residential instability, and ethnic heterogeneity tend to have weakened social institutions that fail to exert effective social control over residents’ behavior (Shaw & McKay, 1942). Expanding on this, some criminologists argue that such communities experience a breakdown of social cohesion, which diminishes collective efficacy and fosters conditions conducive to violence.

In the context of homicide, social disorganization theory suggests that high-crime neighborhoods often lack community cohesion and social networks that could otherwise prevent violent acts. For instance, research indicates that areas with concentrated poverty exhibit higher rates of violent crime, including homicides, due to the inability of residents to mobilize collectively against violence or enforce informal social controls (Bursik & Grasmick, 1993). The theory highlights the importance of structural economic and social stability as precursors to effective crime prevention.

Factors Contributing to Homicide

Multiple factors influence homicide rates, including social, economic, and cultural elements. As the video "Murder Capital USA Ganglands of Chicago" highlights, Chicago’s high murder rates are associated with gang violence, drug trafficking, and socioeconomic disparities. These factors align with social disorganization, where marginalized communities become hotspots for violent crimes due to persistent poverty, unemployment, and lack of educational opportunities (Siegel, 2015). Furthermore, the availability of firearms exacerbates the potential for lethal violence, making conflicts more deadly (Hemenway & Azrael, 2000).

Relationship dynamics also play a significant role in homicides. Studies reveal that many murders are committed within preexisting relationships—be it romantic partners, acquaintances involved in drug trade, or gang rivals—underscoring the importance of social bonds and conflicts rooted in personal or economic disputes (CDC, 2019). These relationships often escalate into lethal violence when combined with risk factors such as substance abuse and emotional volatility.

Strategies to Decrease and Control Homicides

To combat homicide rates, a multifaceted approach is required. First, community-oriented policing and investment in social services can strengthen neighborhood cohesion and enhance informal social controls, in line with social disorganization principles (Moore & Morgan, 2014). Programs that promote economic development, education, and employment particularly in high-crime areas can address root causes like poverty and unemployment—key elements linked to social disorganization (Sampson & Wilson, 1995).

Second, gun control policies—such as background checks, restrictions on firearm possession, and safer firearm storage—can reduce the lethality of violent incidents (Kleck & Gertz, 1995). Evidence suggests that tighter gun regulation is associated with lower homicide rates, particularly in urban settings familiar with gun violence (Duggan, 2001).

Third, intervention programs targeting at-risk youth, including mentorship and conflict resolution initiatives, can prevent escalation of disputes into deadly violence. Schools, social services, and community organizations should collaborate to provide avenues for positive socialization and reduce exposure to violence (Fagan & Wilkinson, 1998).

Sociological Perspectives and Their Explanations for Homicide

The sociological schools of crime causation—such as strain theory, social learning theory, and control theory—offer varied explanations for why murder occurs. Strain theory, initiated by Robert Merton, argues that societal pressures and blocked opportunities lead individuals to resort to violence as an alternative means of achieving success (Merton, 1938). In impoverished neighborhoods, limited access to economic mobility may foster frustration and aggression culminating in homicide.

Social learning theory emphasizes the role of peer influences, family dynamics, and cultural norms in shaping violent behavior. Adolescents and young adults exposed to violent environments often learn and imitate aggressive behaviors, increasing the likelihood of committing or being victims of homicide (Akers, 1998).

Control theory, developed by Travis Hirschi, posits that strong social bonds and community involvement inhibit criminal acts. Weak or broken social bonds, often prevalent in disorganized neighborhoods, remove the social checks that deter violent conduct (Hirschi, 1969). The breakdown of these bonds increases vulnerability to engaging in or falling victim to homicide.

Conclusion

Homicide remains a complex social problem rooted in structural, social, and cultural factors. The social disorganization theory provides a compelling framework for understanding how neighborhood conditions facilitate violence, especially when combined with the proliferation of firearms and relationship conflicts. Strategies focusing on community development, gun control, and social intervention are vital for reducing homicide rates. Moreover, sociological perspectives such as strain, social learning, and control theories shed light on the multifaceted nature of murder causation, emphasizing the need for holistic, community-based solutions. Tackling homicides requires coordinated efforts across policy disciplines, backed by continuous research and evidence-based practices.

References

• Akers, R. L. (1998). Social Learning and Deviant Behavior: A Specific Theory of Crime and Delinquency. Wadsworth.
• Bursik, R. J., & Grasmick, H. G. (1993). Neighborhoods and Crime: The Dimensions of Effective Community Control. Lexington Books.
• Duggan, M. (2001). The Impact of Legalized Carrying of Concealed Handguns on Crime (No. w8375). National Bureau of Economic Research.
• Fagan, J., & Wilkinson, D. (1998). Social Interventions to Prevent Violence and Homicide. National Institute of Justice.
• Hemenway, D., & Azrael, D. (2000). The Epidemiology of Firearm Violence and Firearm-Related Deaths. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 47(5), 1093–1104.
• Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
• Kleck, G., & Gertz, M. (1995). Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Self-Defense with a Gun. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 86(1), 150–187.
• Moore, M., & Morgan, R. (2014). Crime Prevention and Community Policing. Routledge.
• Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (1995). Toward a Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality. In J. Hagan & R. D. Peterson (Eds.), Crime and Inequality (pp. 37–54). Stanford University Press.
• Shaw, C. R., & McKay, H. D. (1942). Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas. University of Chicago Press.