Park put forth his premise in his book- The City
“It is probably the breaking down of local attachments and the weakening of restraints and inhibitions of teh primary group, under the influence of the urban environment, whic is largely responsible for the increase of crime and vice in great cities(25).
The nature of “gangs”- their variety (delelop a typology using slides 16 & 17), their role in structuring slum life, and the positive (or negative) functions of gangs played in meeting occupational and mobility needs of the gang members. Note: the usage of “gangs” is used loosely to refer to both the Corner boys and college boys.
According to the Chicago School, the slum is an area of social disorganization as characterized by the quote above. According to William Foote Whyte, Street Corner Society was meant tp change many of the popular misconceptions regarding teh structure and functioning of slum life. Discuss your reaction to Whyte’s assertion in light of your analysis.
