The Subculture of Violence

Acknowledgments

I cannot begin to justify my deepest thanks and sincerest gratitude with the mere embellished monarch of words. To my many friends and relatives who have provided me with steadfast and faithful encouragement and support, thank you. I would offer to create a world within which you may partake in this, my life  …  through my pen, my truest reality. Because of your care and concern, this is sweetly dedicated to you, dear Concepcion.

In memory of my father, who dedicated his

life in the service of humanity.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Abstract

Chapter I: Statement of the Problem

Chapter II: Literature Review

Chapter III: Methodology

Chapter IV: Presentation of Results

Chapter V: Summary, Discussion, and Recommendations

Conclusion

Bibliography

Soukaina Preview

Cup of Coffee Preview

The Immortal Tree Preview

About the Author:

About the Author

Hassan Dibich’s books include two poetry collections: Cup of Coffee and Warsaw, and three novels: The Night of Petersburg, The Immortal Tree, and Coming to Richmond. Dibich has lived in Morocco, Belgium, France, England, Costa Rica, and the United States of America.

Abstract

A number of studies have been conducted around the two theoretically derived models that attempt to explain the subculture of violence thesis. These models are examined from slightly different viewpoints. Homicide has been the traditional violent crime to analyze for either its socioeconomic basis or its inherent cultural effect resulting from growing up in the American South. In addition to homicide, assault and rape are also examined to either support the current thesis or show the inconsistencies in the pre-existing data analysis. The present study examines whether it is the geography of the Southern region or the climate that provokes high crime rates. This study analyzes both the social attachments of children and the type of home that children are raised in for their effects on the crime rates. It is expected that the findings will demonstrate that climate has a stronger relationship to the interpersonal crime rates reviewed, and that in areas where there are many strangers and newcomers, the crime rates are higher. It is also expected that this study will show that children brought up in homes where only a single female parent is present tend to engage in more criminal activity. It is anticipated that the results do not support the tenets of the current thesis proposed by Wolfgang and Ferracuti, which says that a certain segment of the population has a value system that predisposes them to violence. The author suggests that further research in this area be done.

Chapter I: Statement of the Problem

1.1   Summary Description of the Project

There have been a number of studies conducted around the two theoretically derived models that attempt to explain the Southern subculture thesis: (1) the importance of socioeconomic conditions and (2) the existence of a subculture of violence. The traditional violent crime—homicide—has been analyzed for either its socioeconomic basis or its inherent cultural effect that results from growing up in the South. In addition to homicide, assault and rape will also be examined to support the current thesis and show inconsistencies in the previously conducted data analysis. The present study will examine whether it is the culture, geography, or the climate of the Southern region that provokes high crime rates.[1] Both social attachments and the types of home in which children are raised will also be analyzed for their effects on the crime rates. It is expected that the findings of this study will demonstrate that climate has a strong relationship to the interpersonal crime rate; in areas where there are many strangers or newcomers, the crime rates should be higher. It is also hypothesized that children brought up in homes where only a single female parent is present tend to engage in more criminal activity. It is anticipated that the results will not lend the support to the current thesis proposed by Wolfgang and Ferracuti, which states that a certain segment of the population has a value system that predisposes the violence.

1.2   Introduction

The purpose of this research is to review recent studies and literature on the subculture of violence. This study will then test several hypotheses that may shed light on the subject from a completely different perspective.

Chapter one consists of an introduction, a statement of the problem and its significance, the organization of the study, and the hypothesis that will set the stage for the entire thesis.

Chapter two includes a literature review synthesis that will discuss contributions to the researcher’s hypotheses. It also explains the direction of future research and the gaps that exist in the current research on the subculture of violence. The literature review will range from fundamental articles establishing the idea of a subculture of violence to a review of the current literature that relates directly to the hypotheses and methodology, which will be described in the third