In 1983, sociologist Donald Black proposed the theory of "Crime as Social Control," in which he argued that for the socially disadvantaged, crime is commonly moralistic and can be characterized as self-help in the pursuit of justice when legal protection fails. This article uses Black's theory as a framework to assess the role of violence among African-American male youth in disadvantaged urban communities in New York City. Using in-depth interview data for 416 young violent male offenders, the authors analyze youths' perspectives on their personal safety; access to legal, governmental, and communal protection from violence; the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and police in addressing crime and violence in their neighborhoods; and the need to rely on self- and group/gang-protection as a means of social control. The implications for self-help theory are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.
Downloads
Similar Publications
- Self-rated health in relation to rape and mental health disorders in a National sample of women.
- Physiological Reactivity in Children of Oklahoma City Bombing Survivors 7 Years Postdisaster: A Pilot Study
- Intensive Supervision for Violent Offenders - The Transition From Adolescence to Early Adulthood - A Longitudinal Evaluation