"The term social disorganization is hard to define. It basically refers to the failure of social institutions or social organizations (e.g., schools, business, policing, real estate, group networking) in certain communities and/or neighborhoods" (Thabit, 2006). "A social institution may be defined as an organizational system which functions to satisfy basic social needs by providing an ordered framework linking the individual to the larger culture" (Cravens, 2009). Another definition of a social institution is the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships. The latter definition could refer to the many different members of a criminal organization or gang. Each member of a gang or a criminal organization has his or her own role to play within this group. This is one reason why authorities consider organized crime to be a social institution. "The strength of a culture is determined by the degree of commitment of its members" (Abadinsky, 2009).
List of criminal gangs in Los Angeles, California
Burning Money is Financial Crime and Waste in Chin...
Serious Organised Crime?"Sub cultural theory explains criminal behavior as learned: the sub cultural delinquent has learned values that are deviant in an environment characterized by social disorganization" (Abadinsky, 2007). The Social Disorganization Theory provides that if relationships in the family and friendship groupings are good, neighborhoods are stable and cohesive, and people have a sense of loyalty to the area, then social organization is sound. When these standards are lacking there is social disorganization. These theory list four key elements that constitute social disorganization; the first is low economic status, the second is a mix between different ethnic groups, the third is highly mobile residents moving in and out of the area and the fourth is disrupted families and broken rates (or epidemiology) of crime and delinquency. This theory explains much of the crime in inner cities. One great example of this can be seen in...