Essay Sample about Collective Efficacy Theory

📌Category: Sociological Theories, Sociology
📌Words: 662
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 15 February 2022

 

 

Collective efficacy, defined as, “the social control exerted by cohesive communities, based on mutual trust, including intervention in the supervision of children, and the maintenance of public order,” is something that is very important in society. Today, collective efficacy is a subject that needs to be implemented in order to reduce crime. If a certain area would like to have a low crime rate, more cohesion is required. The social disorganization theory explains that the less cohesive an area, the higher the crime rates are going to be in that said area. This theory (social disorganization theory), links crime rates to neighborhood ecological factors such as one that lives in a poor neighborhood has a higher chance of criminality. However, the big question is, “How can we implement this idea of cohesion and collective efficacy into our society?” I think that there are a few ways that we can implement these ideas, such as helping the less fortunate neighborhoods. For example, helping the homeless find stability in their lives by helping them acquire proper housing, and giving supplies (food, transportation, and personal care items) that are needed to them. I feel that this would help decrease the crime rate by adding more cohesion to these “rough” neighborhoods. 

Another way to help increase cohesion in our society would be to give equal educational opportunities to all. Many dropouts feel that they didn’t have the proper teaching to meet their educational needs. The poor may feel that there is no chance at equal education, not due to any level of intelligence, but because of both their economic and social statuses. Many of these dropouts frequently join gangs, which is very harmful to society, and these gang members felt that they had “nothing to lose.” If equal chances at education were present, more cohesion might be a result. I think that developing a “more equal” plan for everyone, in which everyone has a fair opportunity at success, should be implemented. After-school programs, sports, and going to church also should be implemented in order to prevent the formation of gangs. Crime could be seriously lowered if these after-school programs were in place for all. Mental illness is something that many people want to slip over, and not acknowledge. Consequently, less cohesion is active in places that high levels of mental illness are present. If there were more opportunities for people with mental illnesses to get help, I feel that there would be more cohesion in society.  

Now, how can we increase collective efficacy? I think that if there are more and more stable communities formed, there will be a greater chance at higher rates of collective efficacy. I feel that increasing the educational, economic, and personal chances of the lower classes would help create communities that are both stable and cohesive. Trouble-makers need to be rightfully punished, which will also produce a more stable society. Could we actually increase collective efficacy in large cities? I genuinely believe that we could. The higher classes need to start focusing more on other peoples’ (the lower classes) needs before their own. Money that the wealthy are accumulating should be put to good use, such as giving food to the poor and a safe place for the homeless to live. I believe that the level of homelessness would significantly decrease if this could actually be implemented. Larger cities could have a chance at cohesion and collective efficacy if everyone were willing to work together for the greater good. There is not going to be a single place that has perfect cohesion, but if fair opportunities were provided, I think that these chance at cohesion would be great.  

As a whole, could collective efficacy be implemented on a larger scale, and not just a neighborhood scale? This would be very difficult to achieve, however, I do feel that with time, it could be accomplished. The same goes here as with larger cities, not one place will be perfectly cohesive, but work can be done in order to increase the chances of is. If the mentally ill could actually have proper care and if the level of homelessness would decrease, I do feel that a more cohesive society could be formed. Everyone deserves opportunities if they are willing to work for it, not because of their social status. 

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