1

Criminology Theories

Student name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Name & Course Number

Instructor’s Name

Assignment Due Date

 2

Criminology Theories

Introduction

The documentary series Black Market: Dispatches provides an in-depth look at

underground economies operating globally, including illegal trades, smuggling,

counterfeiting, and more. Analyzing the cases and characters featured across different

criminal underworlds, we can apply four major sociological theories of deviance - social ties

examine the interpersonal networks enabling illegal acts; differential association sees

deviance emerging from relationships promoting crime; cultural conflicts highlight clashes

between mainstream norms and subcultures; and strain focuses analysis on structural barriers

to economic success driving participation in black markets. Across the series' episodes,

examples demonstrate the explanatory value of these four theoretical lenses for unravelling

complex stories of black market engagement.

Quote 1 (S1.E6 sugar babies)

"These men call themselves sugar daddies, and the girls call themselves sugar babies" min

02.03 (sugar babies, 2016 23m 35 s)

What the episode is about.

This episode explores the world of "sugar dating", where younger women (sugar

babies) are paired with typically older, wealthy men (sugar daddies) who provide them with

cash, gifts, or experiences in exchange for friendship or intimacy, which can be related to a

thing like prostitution. We can relate this quote to the theory of social ties theory.

Analysis

Social ties theory points to the importance of social relationships and networks in

spreading and sustaining deviant behaviours like the sugar dating depicted in the

documentary. While the quote itself does not explicitly mention social ties, we could infer

that specialized websites and communities centring on "sugar" relationships function as

 3

critical platforms enabling connections between prospective sugar daddies and sugar babies.

Sugar babies are said to be people you go into a relationship with and get paid, but they aren't

being paid for their services. Instead, they get paid for their companionship.

The sugar daddies have to pay a monthly fee to get the sugar babies. This way, the

sugar babies should also be registered on the site to go on dates with the sugar daddies. The

sugar daddies will only pay when they meet physically with the sugar babies. Social ties

theories argue that the stronger and more numerous the connections supporting deviance, the

more likely deviant lifestyles spread. The sugar daddies and sugar babies meet at a

conference, SeekingArrangement.com, which connects them and agrees on certain things like

the payments for the companionship. Underlying these self-labels of "sugar daddy" and

"sugar baby", we can assume complex web platforms, forums, referral chains, or advice

circles sustain this world - reflecting key aspects of social ties and explanations for deviation

from mainstream norms.

Quote 2(S1.E6 sugar babies)

"You know new shoes, or help you pay for school" min 03.26 (Sugar Babies, 2016 23m 35 s)

What the episode is about

This episode explores the world of "sugar dating", where younger women (sugar

babies) are paired with typically older, wealthy men (sugar daddies) who provide them with

cash, gifts, or experiences in exchange for friendship or intimacy, which can be related to a

thing like prostitution. This episode can be related slightly to the strain theory.

Analysis

Strain theory provides a useful lens for understanding what may drive young women

to become involved in sugar dating arrangements despite taboos around this unconventional

form of companionship and intimacy. Specifically, strain theory points to structural and

institutional societal factors that produce stresses and barriers to achieving social mobility or
 4

markers of success through legitimate means. As the episode explains, many sugar babies

turn to these age-imbalanced reciprocal dating relationships due to burdens like college debt,

financial insecurity, inadequate employment options, and general economic struggles that are

rampant among youth and young adults. Their involvement becomes a mode of innovation or

deviance driven by the motivation to ease the strains and achieve physical comforts, status

symbols, or capital considered desirable in society. Rather than being simply an individual

moral failing, strain theory would assess how family troubles, educational cost strains,

healthcare strains, and general inequality channel disadvantaged youth specifically into

modes of survival like sugar dating. The theory compels us to evaluate the underlying

societal deficiencies that make unconventional and controversial alternatives compelling to

those blocked from stability or upper mobility pathways. It focuses on systemic strains rather

than individual choices or personality quirks.

Quote 3 (S1.E1 The Tunnels of Gaza)

"Buh, uh, of course, at any moment, this could collapse" min 10.08 (The Tunnels of Gaza,

2016 23m 12s)

What the episode is about

The episode explores the underground economy of smuggling goods through tunnels

due to the economic blockade in Gaza. The episode delves into the challenges individuals

involved in these operations face, highlighting the risks they take to provide for their families

amidst difficult circumstances.

Analysis

It outlines the serious problem of people being involved in illegal activities in Gaza.

This message overlaps with the concept of cultural conflict within the framework of tension

theory. Cultural conflict is the conflict between culture, values and expectations and the

pressures or restrictions imposed by society. There is a conflict in Gaza between the

 5

mainstream culture of raising a family and the external impact of Israel and Egypt's economic

blockade.Restrictions on the entry of goods and goods into Gaza lead to economic poverty an

d hunger. In this case, people are forced to commit crimes such as stealing from underground

tunnels to meet their basic needs. Frustration theory suggests that people behave differently

when they cannot achieve their desires. In Gaza, the economic crisis has put pressure on

people's ability to achieve financial security and provide for their families through the rule of

law.

This stress can lead to frustration, anger, and injustice, causing people to find other

ways (even illegal) to meet their needs. From a critical perspective, while stress theory

provides insight into the economic dynamics that drive individuals towards entrepreneurship,

it needs to address Gaza's good relations in society fully. Blockades are economic restrictions

and the product of territorial disputes, power struggles and historical grievances. Therefore,

to fully understand the phenomenon of smuggling in Gaza, it is necessary to consider broad

theories of inequality patterns, power dynamics, and geopolitical consequences. Another

theory that complements the analysis is relationship theory, which emphasizes the role of

relationships and relationships in society in forming personal character. In the Gaza context,

social theory can see that family roles, peer relationships, and cooperation influence people's

decision to participate in smuggling.

Quote 4 (S1.E3 Dark Web)

"So I want to see how it works and why so many people are turning to the Dark Net to get

their drugs" min 02.17 (Dark Web, 2016 23m 05s)

What the episode is about

The episode is about a man who recounts growing up poor in public housing, where

he became involved with drug dealers, lured by money and status. He aided their crack

cocaine operation despite risks like assault, demonstrating how socioeconomic strains and
 6

clashes with mainstream norms drove his participation in the illegal drug trade and

subculture. This can be related to both cultural conflict and strain theories.

Analysis

Cultural conflict theory suggests that violence and behaviour often arise from

conflicts between different cultures, norms, and expectations of the human group. This theory

seems appropriate for the analysis of the situation in which a young man is described as

growing up in a real estate project with the world of drugs and narcotics around him.

On one side of the conflict is the community base, which has laws prohibiting drug

distribution and use, violent crime, and expectations of education and activity under the law.

However, in the ideological and council culture in which the man is immersed, there is little

shame or moral punishment associated with involvement in the drug business. Instead, the

promise of quick money, display of wealth, and risk-taking behaviour earn praise and status.

He faces a conflict: he is removed from people worldwide, but he will be supported and take

immediate action in his lifestyle by participating in cooking, carrying, administering

medicine and selling.

The theory will evaluate how the appeal and performance of the film business

compare in its medium, whether revenue comes from the local language or how it achieves a

sense of involvement. The theory raises questions about general judgments about crime by

emphasizing cultural differences, pathways to success, and the practical use of context, its

importance and culture create conflicts that will affect the characters in the film. A dangerous

choice. More importantly, cultural conflict theory provides a more comprehensive

understanding of drug use decisions by analyzing an individual's competing values and

cultures.

Quote 5 (S1.E8 Crime Towers)

 7

"Prostitution isn’t the only black market activity being run out of these government-owned

properties." Min 10.00 (Crime Towers, 2016 23m 30s)

Brief Description of Episode

In the "Crime Towers" episode, the case study examines cases of illegal activity in the

tower blocks of London's public housing sector. This case explores how affordability puts

pressure on people to commit crimes, creating a dangerous environment where criminals prey

on innocent people. This can be related to the strain theory.

Analysis

The speech highlights the consequences of illegal state ownership of London's

housing estates, particularly prostitution and fraud linked to gas exchange. This analysis is

based on several theories, including social and relationship differences. Differential

association theory suggests that people learn negative behaviours by interacting with others

who exhibit different behaviours. In the context of a "crime tower," people living near the

tower may form alliances with individuals involved in crime, leading to nonviolent direct and

behavioural behaviour. This statement shows the normalization of crime by showing the

learned behaviour in society. Additionally, social theory emphasizes the influence of social

and interpersonal relationships on people's involvement in crime. In the case of "terrorist

towers", the relationship between the communities in public housing will facilitate the spread

of the criminal network.

Residents who face compliance issues may become involved with crime in their

communities as a means of living or working, which can lead to a significant increase in

crimes such as prostitution and fraud due to change. While viewed from a critical perspective,

these theories help shed light on the relationships that lead to crime in public housing, and

they tend to overlook processes such as the lack of consistency between business and
 8

domestic neglect. Economic problems and lack of access to legal business opportunities drive

people to illegal businesses to solve financial problems. Additionally, organizations' failure to

provide social support and community resources leaves shelter residents vulnerable and

exposes communities to violence from bad people. Based on the overall process and

dimensions of the institution, theories regarding the impact of the process and organizational

anomie can complement the analysis by revealing the stresses and vulnerabilities that lead to

crime in public housing.