choice vs constraint
Sociology 1:
Earlier today during lecture, we watched a documentary entitled, “Baltimore: Anatomy of an American City,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz0nkKdkLqc) that detailed how the war on drugs and the consequent rise incarceration has impacted individuals (specifically, young African American men) who live in Baltimore. [If you did not attend lecture, please watch the video this week. It is available on YouTube]
Referencing the documentary, the reading material (Anderson, Liebow, Auyero) for this week:
Part 1: Are the urban poor their own worst enemies? Answer this question from the perspective of both Rational Actor Theory and Structured Socialization Theory.
Part 2: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these perspectives (Rational Actor Theory and Structured Socialization). Is there a middle ground? Are there alternatives for these young black men living in Baltimore? If so, what do these alternatives look like? If no alternatives exist, why not?
Write 900-1200 words. As usual, submit to EEE. Due May 8th, 9am.
**As you are writing up your essay, please feel free to consult the following literature (They will be helpful for your cause):
https://www.alternet.org/economy/ten-shocking-facts-about-baltimore
https://www.uk.sagepub.com/martin3study/articles/Katz.pdf
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/28/1380944/-The-Dominant-White-Response-to-Baltimore-Shows-Why-Black-Residents-are-Justified-in-their-Anger
https://data.baltimoresun.com/news/police-settlements/