Graduation Year
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Sociology
Major Professor
Cecil Greek, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Will Tyson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kim Lersch, Ph.D.
Keywords
Activism, Collective Efficacy, Crime, Gun Violence, Poverty, Social Capital
Abstract
Abstract
This study explains how community activists make use of available social capital and collective efficacy while attempting to mediate gun violence. It specifically focuses on twelve in-depth interviews of activists' perspectives, processes and rationales to alleviate community gun violence, based on informal social control models. Findings suggest activists must establish trust and respect with youth they work with before mediation begins, which is established through similar life experiences or backgrounds. Once a strong bond is established with youth, activists identified five core processes to reduce violence: 1) improve the mindset, 2) provide life skills, 3) assist youth as their liaison between networks, 4) expose and provide tools to other opportunities such as college or jobs, and 5) activists challenge system policy that they feel contributes to Chicago's gun violence.
Scholar Commons Citation
Dean, Jennifer Lynne, "Resources Matter: The Role of Social Capital and Collective Efficacy in Mediating Gun Violence" (2014). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5006
Included in
Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Sociology Commons
