Power and Control Dynamics, Essay Example

Understanding Criminal Justice and the Aspects of Power-Control Theory of Gender and Delinquency

Everything starts inside the four walls of the house; somehow, this saying has gone a long way in explaining how and why human individuals behave the way that they do. True to its sense, the roots of a person’s being comes from the home where he was brought up about. Notably, the norms, the culture and the condition of living that one becomes accustomed to shapes his personality as well as the ways by which he deals with others outside the constraints of the home. This particular fact is utilized by John Hagan as he introduces the power-control theory that is now used to define the level of criminal delinquency that a person might be capable of doing. In this particular theory, Hagan points out the importance of familial background especially in establishing the grounds of development that a person begins to accept as “normal”.

According to Hagan, it usually depends on whether or not a particular family follows the pattern of egalitarian or patriarchal form of discipline. Basically, the egalitarian form of discipline is defined by the value of equality among all members of the family. It is evident through this theory that when equality is practiced, the aspect of realizing the worth of another as in level with one’s self, an individual is able to pay respect to the other person in a way that he would pay respect to himself. On the other hand, the patriarchal model of discipline follows a figure of authority and several set of rules that specifically define the culture or the norms that a family follows. The principle of equality may be practiced but the system is more focused on whether or not the set standard by the head of the family [or whoever is given the authority to lead] is being reached or fulfilled.

Considerably, based on this explanation, I would say that my family follows the egalitarian rule. Not that there are no set-rules in the house, but the family members are well aware of the fact that to gain respect, one has to pay respect. This basic rule protects each and every one in the family from committing mistakes and wrong doings against the other members of the family. What specifically draws the family together in this case is the fact that each one recognizes the worth of the other thus respecting the personal rights they have to a good and well-defined life.

Overall, it could be realized that the theory by John Hagan suggests that if a person is given the attitude of being able to respect the boundaries of others as do others respect his own boundaries, crime might be resolved a lot easier. Nevertheless, since this principle does not apply with everyone else, there is always a need to a have a recognizable set of rules that are able to make a specific condition of “following” that people must give attention to as set through the patriarchal patter of discipline. Criminality among individuals is seen to be better controlled if both systems of power and control are implicated collaboratively to maintain peace and security in the community.

Reference

Steven F. Messner; Marvin D. Krohn; Allen E. Liska (August 1989). Theoretical integration in the study of deviance and crime: problems and prospects. SUNY Press. p. 213.