saints rough
Thomas Valotta
Mr. K
HSB4M1
July 15, 2014
The Saints and the Roughnecks: A power Discrepancy After wild high school experiences and memorable nights out with teenage friends, there comes a time to grow out of this lifestyle and into responsible, young adults. This was definitely the case for the two gangs within the town of Hanibal, the Saints and the Roughnecks. Most members of the two gangs are now respectable men who have achieved college degrees and started their own families, although their teachers from back in high school may tell you a different story. The gangs’ mischievous actions led to the different labelling of the two groups. The two gangs received treatment from opposite ends of the spectrum, the Saints were seen as respectable young men, while the Roughnecks were categorized as nothing but trouble. The teachers’ and community’s perception of the members of each gang has played a role in how the members of each gang’s lives have developed. When contrasting actions and behaviors, social reactions and consequences, and the neutralization tactics used by the two gangs, it is evident that the Labelling Theory effects how both gangs are treated differently as well as unjustly. The actions and behavior of the gang members of both the Saints and the Roughnecks are extremely similar. Both gangs commit the same types of crimes and indulge in the same activities. In fact, it can even be argued that the Saints’ actions are more destructive than the Roughnecks. The actions of both gangs during the week are to find any way possible to evade class and leave campus grounds. Although the Roughnecks wanted to skip, they were not as successful as the Saints. It is also apparent that both gangs participated in cheating during nearly every test (William J.C. “The Saints and the Roughnecks”). Moving towards the weekends, the Saints would flee to the Big Town, a large city next to Hanibal. By doing this, they are able to hide their deviant actions
Mr. K
HSB4M1
July 15, 2014
The Saints and the Roughnecks: A power Discrepancy After wild high school experiences and memorable nights out with teenage friends, there comes a time to grow out of this lifestyle and into responsible, young adults. This was definitely the case for the two gangs within the town of Hanibal, the Saints and the Roughnecks. Most members of the two gangs are now respectable men who have achieved college degrees and started their own families, although their teachers from back in high school may tell you a different story. The gangs’ mischievous actions led to the different labelling of the two groups. The two gangs received treatment from opposite ends of the spectrum, the Saints were seen as respectable young men, while the Roughnecks were categorized as nothing but trouble. The teachers’ and community’s perception of the members of each gang has played a role in how the members of each gang’s lives have developed. When contrasting actions and behaviors, social reactions and consequences, and the neutralization tactics used by the two gangs, it is evident that the Labelling Theory effects how both gangs are treated differently as well as unjustly. The actions and behavior of the gang members of both the Saints and the Roughnecks are extremely similar. Both gangs commit the same types of crimes and indulge in the same activities. In fact, it can even be argued that the Saints’ actions are more destructive than the Roughnecks. The actions of both gangs during the week are to find any way possible to evade class and leave campus grounds. Although the Roughnecks wanted to skip, they were not as successful as the Saints. It is also apparent that both gangs participated in cheating during nearly every test (William J.C. “The Saints and the Roughnecks”). Moving towards the weekends, the Saints would flee to the Big Town, a large city next to Hanibal. By doing this, they are able to hide their deviant actions