Factors you feel play a greater role pertaining to middle-class delinquency and its relation to gangs.

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Essays

 

Discuss your position on which factors you feel play a greater role pertaining to middle-class delinquency and its relation to gangs.

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

The relationship between middle-class delinquency and gangs is a complex issue with no easy answers. While we often associate gangs with poverty and deprivation, research suggests that middle-class youth are also susceptible to involvement in gang activity, albeit in different forms and for different reasons. Here’s a discussion of factors that contribute to middle-class delinquency and its potential link to gangs:

Factors Contributing to Middle-Class Delinquency:

  • Social Pressure and Status: Middle-class youth may feel pressure to conform to social norms and expectations, including fitting in with popular groups. This can lead to behaviors aimed at gaining status and acceptance, which may include delinquency.

  • Lack of Structure and Supervision: While middle-class families may have access to resources, they may also experience a lack of structure and supervision, particularly if both parents work long hours or are emotionally unavailable. This can create opportunities for youth to engage in risky behaviors.

  • Boredom and Lack of Purpose: Middle-class youth may experience a sense of boredom or lack of purpose, especially if they are not challenged academically or have limited extracurricular activities. This can lead to a search for excitement and identity, which may involve delinquent behaviors.

The relationship between middle-class delinquency and gangs is a complex issue with no easy answers. While we often associate gangs with poverty and deprivation, research suggests that middle-class youth are also susceptible to involvement in gang activity, albeit in different forms and for different reasons. Here’s a discussion of factors that contribute to middle-class delinquency and its potential link to gangs:

Factors Contributing to Middle-Class Delinquency:

  • Social Pressure and Status: Middle-class youth may feel pressure to conform to social norms and expectations, including fitting in with popular groups. This can lead to behaviors aimed at gaining status and acceptance, which may include delinquency.

  • Lack of Structure and Supervision: While middle-class families may have access to resources, they may also experience a lack of structure and supervision, particularly if both parents work long hours or are emotionally unavailable. This can create opportunities for youth to engage in risky behaviors.

  • Boredom and Lack of Purpose: Middle-class youth may experience a sense of boredom or lack of purpose, especially if they are not challenged academically or have limited extracurricular activities. This can lead to a search for excitement and identity, which may involve delinquent behaviors.

  • Peer Influence and Socialization: Peer influence plays a significant role in shaping adolescent behavior, and this is no different for middle-class youth. If their peers engage in delinquent activities, it can increase the likelihood that they will follow suit.

  • Family Conflict and Dysfunction: Family conflict and dysfunction can contribute to delinquency in both middle-class and lower-income families. This can include issues like divorce, parental substance abuse, or emotional neglect.

  • Exposure to Media and Violence: Exposure to media violence and desensitization can contribute to an increased tolerance for aggression and violence.

Relationship to Gangs:

  • Alternative Family and Identity: For middle-class youth who feel alienated or disconnected from their families or communities, gangs can provide a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose.

  • Social Status and Recognition: Gangs can offer a sense of social status and recognition, particularly for youth who feel marginalized or excluded from the mainstream.

  • Access to Resources: Some middle-class youth may join gangs to gain access to resources, such as money, drugs, or protection.

  • Lack of Opportunity: While middle-class youth may have access to education and opportunities, they may still feel limited in their choices if they lack the skills, support, or motivation to succeed. This can lead to frustration and a search for alternative paths, which may involve gang activity.

Conclusion:

While middle-class delinquency may not be as prevalent as in lower-income communities, it is a significant issue with unique causes and consequences. Factors such as social pressure, lack of structure, peer influence, and exposure to violence all contribute to the likelihood of middle-class youth engaging in delinquent behaviors, including gang involvement. It’s crucial to recognize that these are not simply “bad kids” but young people facing complex challenges and needing support and guidance. Addressing the underlying causes of middle-class delinquency, such as providing opportunities, promoting healthy social connections, and supporting families, is essential for preventing youth from falling into gang involvement.

Important Note: This discussion is based on general trends and research. Individual experiences and circumstances can vary significantly. It’s crucial to avoid stereotyping and recognize the complexity of youth behavior.

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