crime and ethnicity

Ethnic minorities and police encounters

Ethnic minorities are three times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police compared to ethnic majorities.

Morris's argument on youth

Morris argues that BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) communities have larger numbers of young people, which contributes to higher rates of criminality.

Evaluation of Morris's argument

Sociologists contend it is unclear whether higher crime rates are due to age or ethnicity.

Gilroy's theory on police focus

Gilroy suggests that police disproportionately focus on ethnic minorities, which results in higher rates of stop and search or arrest.

Moral panics

Sociologists argue that targeting may arise from moral panics, such as the 'black muggers' panic in the 1970s, which reflects actual criminality.

Waddington et al on focus areas

Waddington et al assert that police focus on areas with high ethnic minority populations, leading to increased stop and search statistics.

Zones of transition

Ethnic minorities are often found in zones of transition where criminality is heightened due to poor social cohesion.

Evaluation of Waddington's theory

The argument may only apply to first-generation immigrants; many ethnic minorities relocate after one or two generations.

McPherson Report

The McPherson Report claims that the police have institutional racism and stereotypes against ethnic minorities.

Impact of McPherson Report

While the report has prompted changes in police policies, it has not significantly reduced crime rates among ethnic minority groups.

Hirschi's social control theory

Hirschi suggests individuals commit crime due to a lack of social control related to attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.

Asian parental control

Hirschi notes stricter parental control in Asian communities may explain lower crime rates among Asian youth.

Evaluation of Hirschi's theory

Sociologists argue that differences in crime may be more related to age rather than ethnicity.

Left Realists Lea and Young

They argue that ethnic minorities face marginalization and relative deprivation, leading to potential subculture formation and crime.

Evaluation of Left Realists' argument

Not all ethnic minorities form subcultures, and not all subcultures are linked to criminality.

Gilroy on alienation

Gilroy posits that many black men feel alienated by racism, leading to crime as a form of protest.

Evaluation of Gilroy's theory

Crime committed by black individuals is often against other black individuals, challenging Gilroy's perspective.

Sewell's three factors for black boys

Sewell identifies lack of father figures, negative experiences with white culture, and media influence as key factors contributing to high crime rates.

Media influence in crime

Sewell argues that media portrayals of success through status symbols foster a culture of hyper-masculinity among young black males.

Evaluation of Sewell's theory

The rise of positive black role models, such as Barack Obama, challenges Sewell's conclusions about the absence of beneficial influences.