Sociological Theories On Violence

In the studies of biology and psychology, they analyze violence from individual to individual. However, in the study of sociology, sociologists study society as a whole. This paper will be based upon the sociological theories on violence, and why it occurs. The first theory is know as the Structural-Functional Analysis theory. This approach mentions that traditions in culture are what establishes violence. An archived study which was done by Marvin Wolfgang and Franco Ferracuti studied the culture within Sicily, and how they feel that jealousy within their family makes their honor safe.


This belief states that if a man shows disrespect by fleeing with a daughter, the cultural standards results in violence. This form of violence would have the potential to violate the law in the United States of America, but in a setting such as Sicily, this form of Violence is a requirement. While the method does not occur as often in modern-day Sicily, the method i still present in many religious cultures. A thesis known as the "Culture Of Violence" mentions that a society's intensity in violence varies in its cultural standards. In a similar way, a subculture has the potential to endorse violence. Researchers have claimed that a minority of younger men that are resident in low-income homes in the city use violence as a life standard.


This can be the result of not finishing college or obtaining a great job. In a survey taken by high-school students, nine-teen percent of girls an forty-three percent of boys stated that it is acceptable for someone to attack or threaten another individual if the individual makes them mad. Sixty-percent of girls and seventy-five percent of boys have claimed they committed this act. The second approach is the Symbolic-Interaction Analysis. The origins of violence are learned through communication with other individuals daily.


Children learn about violence through their parents and other individuals who are mutual to them, and mimic their behavior. Studies have shown that when a child acts out in aggressive behavior, they are rewarded for their acts of violence. Also kids who are victims of violence obtain their own violent behavior as they age. Peer groups, who are individuals we grow up with, become a vital aspect of learning. In college campuses, men use sexual violence as a sport, and women become victims of their act of violence.


The third and last theory is known as the social-conflict analysis. This form of analysis views violence as a result of inequality. The first theory within this theory is known as the "Marxist Theory". Karl Marx stated that societies who have a capitalist agenda were separated into two categories. These two categories are ruling capitalists and workers. According to Karl Marx, the elite of the capitalists are in control of society, and the elite capitalists make people work hard to endure.


Karl Marx also thought that the elite capitalist use the national guard and police forces to prevent rebellion against this agenda. Within his theory, he felt that violence being used by capitalists to defend their control over society, which is known as Structural Violence. Therefore, the result of structural violence is poverty. The last theory inside of the social-conflict analysis is the feminist theory. Feminists feel that men dominate women the separation of society. Feminists also feel that violence is the result of women being second in rank.


Women have lower income than men, many of them do not have roles in the government and are lesser in power compared to men daily. Therefore, women become victims of sexual violence by men who view themselves in control. Both theories inside of this analysis view from their own status, therefore they both believe that crime and riots are rebellious acts, but not as breaking the law. They view rebellious acts a way to attack an agenda that is tainted with corruption.

In conclusion, all theories have good views on why violence emerges. Therefore, we must take the views into consideration. This is the reason why the Sociological Approach is more effective than other types of approach.