The analysis of various scientific works dedicated to the problem of organized crime in Chicago shows the whole complexity of this social phenomenon. Naturally, it involves a great number of aspects and undoubtedly requires various approaches.
First, this phenomenon has to be analyzed from the organizational point of view. There are some works dedicated to this problem. However, we can single out some major ones, for example, “Contemporary Gangs: An Organizational Analysis,” written by Deborah Weisel. This study focuses on the dynamics of gang development. To be more exact, it researches the life circles of such an organization, structural changes within the organization. Moreover, it explains the reasons for some gang’s longevity and describes the ways in which they transform with time passing. Deborah Weisel analyzes the present-day situation in the United States and outlines the prospects of further development (Weisel, 134).
As regards this approach to the study of organized crime, we may point out some new directions for further research. For instance, it is necessary to discuss the major preconditions for people to form in such groups. In other words, what these people may have in common. Secondly, we should analyze the initial stages, or it would be better to say the first steps of such an organization because it is easies to stop gangs at that point. Speaking about the organizational aspect of street gangs, it is of the utmost importance to analyze the reasons for their growth.
As for the historical background of organized crime in the United States, it is quite possible for us to mention the book by Malcolm Klein, “The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control.” The book contrasts the image of the present-day gang with that one, which existed at the beginning of the twentieth century. Moreover, the research gives the classification of gangs according to various criteria (Klein, 123).
As far as the historical background of organized crime in the USA is concerned, we should focus attention on the following issues. First, we should discuss the method, which the government uses to cope with organized crime. However, it should be done diachronically, in other words, the evolvement of these methods with time passing.
Another important issue, which undoubtedly needs discussing is the relationships of organized crime with the community and educational institutions in particular. Douglas Clay believes that gangs have become an inseparable part of popular culture, especially in the inner cities. He says that educators can play a very important role in suppressing organized crime under the indispensable condition that they manage the change the attitude of their students towards organized crime (Clay, 50).
Overall, we can agree with the author because street gangs have become some symbol of power, strength, and impunity for some teenagers. It is necessary to discuss the main reasons for this social phenomenon. We should be able to answer the question of why some teenagers view gangs as something attractive. In addition to that, it is of crucial importance to analyze the factors forming their outlook. It seems that this is the underlying cause of the increasing delinquency rate.
In connection with the above-mentioned issue, it is also worth mentioning the behavioral approach to this problem. Marvin Crohn, in his book “Gangs and Delinquency in Developmental Perspective,” gives a psychological description of gang members. According to the researcher, members of such organizations experience some illusion of power and control. It seems to them that grouped together; they can be stronger. In the author’s view, such kind of behavior can be ascribed to some problems that these teenagers may experience at home (Crohn, 232).
Thus, we can look at this problem psychological point of view. Because, over the recent years, gangs have undoubtedly become an expedient means of escape from everyday problems, especially regarding teenagers. We need to ascertain what makes youths seek such kind of shelter and how one can prevent them from doing it.
Our analysis will not be complete if we do not discuss the problem of organized crime within the context of race and ethnicity. In his book “Towards an Understanding of Juvenile Delinquency,” Bernard Lander states that these two notions are practically intertwined. We have to find out why some ethnic groups are more or less prone to committing a crime or forming some criminal group. It is necessary to ascertain the major factors contributing to it. The point is that forming a criminal group may be some form of protection from social injustice. In fact, it reminds some vicious circle that is very hard to be broken. Perhaps, if the ethnic minorities are treated in better ways, the crime rate will be reduced (Lander, 222).
Thus, having analyzed the problem of organized crime from different standpoints, we may point out the directions for further research. First, we may explore the historical development of gangs in the United States. Secondly, we may view it as a cultural and psychological phenomenon, and finally, we need to discuss organized crime within the context of racial problems.
Bibliography
Bernard Lander. (1996) Towards an Understanding of Juvenile Delinquency. Columbia University Press.
Deborah Lamm Weisel.(2002) Contemporary Gangs: An Organizational Analysis. LFB Scholarly Publishing.
Douglas A. Clay. Gangs and America’s Schools. Phi Delta Kappan, pp 44- 56, 1992.
Malcolm W. Klein.(2003) The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control. Oxford University Press.
Marvin Crohn. Thornberry.(2002) Gangs and Delinquency in Developmental Perspective. Cambridge University Press.