A summary and assessment of the first chapter of “Crime and Inequality” by John Hagan and Ruth D. Peterson.
This paper explains that the first chapter of “Crime and Inequality” attempts to explain the patterns of inequality found in research that connects disadvantaged and subordinated groups to crime and delinquency. It shows how Hagan and Peterson explain the correlation between socioeconomically depressed areas and patterns of high delinquency rates that occur there.
“Those who experience crime and violent crime most frequently are found to be young, disadvantaged, minority males. Hagen and Peterson attempt to explain this phenomenon with two points: 1.) race-linked discrimination produces and influences crime and 2.) treatment of minorities by the criminal justice system perpetuates discontentment and distrust of the system and authority in general. In order to fully explain this trend, the authors focus on the details and nuances associated with street crimes. Street crimes are described as “common-law crimes of murder, assault, robbery, rape, burglary, and larceny that are widely considered serious law violations.” (Hagen, pg. 15) African-American juveniles are the most common offenders of street crimes. Hagen and Peterson explain the reason for this is because the FBI has been reporting crimes committed by juvenile African-Americans separately for many years, and has accumulated in-depth records regarding this occurrence.”