SCHOLAR: SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION

Social disorganization theory is a concept originating from the Chicago school.  This concept attempts to explain how neighborhoods are a correlate of the likelihood of criminal activity.  Through the concentric zones model the Chicago school, explains that there are a sum of five zones.  This model depicts an epicenter referred to as, “zone 1,” wherein it is labelled as the business zone.  This zone is where the majority of commercial and industrial activity of a city takes place.  As one moves from, “zone 1” to “zone 2,” according to the model, this zone is referred to as the, “zone in transition,” whereby people whom were pushed out of, “zone 1,” or were unable to secure employment therein reside.  This is a place of poverty and marginalization.  This, “zone in transition,” is a result of various factors not limited to lack of education, poor upbringing- teenagers, lack of opportunities- jobs, vandalism- pollution and poor development of buildings/ structures amongst others.  Not only can these be found in this zone, according to the theory these less fortunate people experience a lack or weak social ties.  

There are three categories in which ties are divided.  First is the private ties which relate to friends and family.  Second are the parochial ties referring to the community or society at large.  Third are the public ties which relate to the government.  Crime is said to occur in this zone because of a lack of cohesion one or more of these, “ties.”  Moving on, the third, “zone,” is referred to as the, “men’s house,” zone wherein working families reside.    The last two zones, “zone 4,” and “zone 5,” are called residential zones.  These are basically the suburbs of the community where the majority of the people reside.  These people commute to the business zone in order to fulfill employment tasks.  It is important to understand this concept because society needs a method to be able to study the development of communities in the hopes that they may be able to alleviate poverty and or marginalization in an efficient, organized manner.