Monster Kody Scott's Theory Of Juvenile Delinquency

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Imagine an 11 year old boy being sent on a mission to kill, riding shotgun with a gun in his hands. Monster Kody Scott was initiated into one of the most notorious gangs in Los Angeles that night, the Crips. By the age of 16, he rose to power in his set the Eight Tray Gangsters. This began his life of crime. Kody spent many days locked away in juvenile halls. Eventually, this bred a stronger criminal and landed Kody a spot in prison. Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Juvenile Delinquency can further explain why Kody began living a criminal lifestyle. This theory focuses on several key aspects, one of which includes Burgess’s Concentric Zone Theory. This theory studies and explains the surrounding environments of Kody’s home. Another key factor of …show more content…

Kershaun, Kody’s younger brother, joined while Kody was serving time in prison. Although he was not the one to initiate Kershaun, it could be suggested that Kody provided an image for his brother that appealed to him. Many juveniles join gangs because they see the rewards their older siblings are receiving, because they too are in gangs (Lilly et al., 2015). Other juveniles join because their friends have joined, to fit in, or because they need some type of security and stability. A gang provides both of those things, but only for members of their set. A gang is similar to a family, the original gangsters (OG’s) such as Kody could show new members the ways of the streets. There are traditions, rules, and expectancy for each gang. Those in their set should always have one another’s back. If a Blood shot and killed one of the Eight Tray Gangsters, several members of the Eight Tray Gangsters would find that Blood, or someone important to that Blood, and get retribution for their deceased member. This creates a distorted sense of security and stability. However, it also creates a new generation of delinquents. From the gang perspective, if their new recruits were correctly taught the criminal values of the gang, they will be able to defend the streets while other members of the gang are incarcerated. The youth living in this environment, or zone in transition were much more susceptible to join gangs and engage in criminal behavior. Criminal acts and deviance is considered a social norm in this area. Kody’s mother was dumbfounded by how her children got tied up in gangs. She questioned Kody once by saying, “I wonder if that’s how I lost you and Shaun to the streets. You guys have turned from my darling little ones into savage little animals and I just don’t know what to do no more, I really don’t (Shakur, 1993, p 332).” However, Kody knew it was not her fault or their absent

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