For: Lisa Broidy

 

By: Seth W. Heath

 

SOC 313: Social Control

 

Writing Assignment 1

 

A tragedy.

 

John Braithwaite developed a theory of crime and social control called reintegrative shaming. Reintegrative shaming is based on several premises. Braithwaite argues that informal social controls are better than formal social controls. He also supposes that informal social controls are most effective when used by a community in which the individuals involved are interdependent. How the deviant is treated decides if stigmatization occurs and that, according to Braithwaite, determines future criminality. In the case of Lorenzo’s mother Braithwaite would argue that informal social control would best serve the purposes of all parties involved.

In his book Crime, shame and reintegration Braithwaite fully explains why the imposition of formal methods of social control are not as effective as informal social controls. He says that “sanctions imposed by relatives, friends or a personally relevant collectivity have more effect on criminal behavior than sanctions imposed by a remote legal authority.”(Braithwaite, 69) In the Ruela case this would certainly be the case. She wouldn’t have the feeling of responsibility to the state that she might have to her family and wouldn’t respond in a positive manner. The process of shaming used by the state would offer little chance for reintegration and mostly result in stigmatization. If she is stigmatized and the label of “baby killer” is applied to her what productive end has been accomplished? While it is unlikely she would join a sub culture of baby killers it is likely that if convicted she would be exposed to a criminal subculture in prison. This criminal subculture would teach her their methods for dealing with problems, these methods would not be consistent with societies coping tools. Once the label is applied and the mother fully assumes it, acts of secondary deviance will occur. While this might not take the form of more baby killing it could very easily present as alcohol or drug abuse. On the other hand if she was subjected to the informal social controls of her family the scenario would likely be very different.

The informal social control used by loved ones contrasted with that of the state contains a certain element of personal investment by all people involved. This interdependency encourages a desire for change and re-admittance to the social group. One of the focal points of reintegration is a shaming and reintegration ceremony. While this doesn’t have to be ceremonious in the strict sense of the word there are some things that need to occur. The mother of Lorenzo would be profusely apologetic to her husband, children, family and friends. The family would witness the sincerity of the apology in many forms as the mother went through the grieving process. As stated in the news story the woman’s brother said, “ She’s a wonderful mother I don’t understand how this could have happened.”(Handout) This goes to prove that the family would have little reason to suspect her of killing Lorenzo intentionally. Once the family was convinced of her sincere regret the reintegration process would begin. The family would provide moral support to her and help her through the troubles ahead. The close familial ties of the mother make up another important part of Braithwaite’s theory. He asserts that in order for informal social control to be successful the individual must have strong interdependence and exist in a communitarian environment. I feel that these elements of the theory are sufficiently fulfilled in the case of Lorenzo’s mother. The mother is highly interdependent due to her marriage, children, job and age.  In this case it is highly unlikely that the mother would repeat the same neglect with another child and as such direct shaming with the family is not likely to occur. All of these factors increase the possibility of shaming being successful.

In the back of her mind there would always be the question of what are people saying, when she walks by do they say that’s the lady that killed her baby? This is another part of informal communitarian social control presented by Braithwaite, gossip. He felt that gossiping and being gossiped about helped to reestablish the morals we are socialized with during youth. When a social group acknowledges that a deviant behavior has occurred but doesn’t stigmatize the deviant it is able to maintain its moral standard and reintegrate the deviant as a productive member of the group. In the case of Lorenzo’s’ mother a story is constructed describing the negative behavior and people discuss the incident, vicariously reaffirming the social norms of what is acceptable behavior and passing these values on to their children. At the same time an effort is made not to distance the mother from the social group, provided she exhibited sufficient regret. This enables the larger group to maintain ties with and keep her as a productive member of society. In a perfect world the mother gains more caution, society forgives and reaccepts her as a member and a story about her is created to teach others of the danger of leaving a child in a locked car. That is what I have tried to do with my little fable.

Let me tell you a story that I once heard. It is a story of sadness and tragedy. Not far from here there lived a woman as beautiful as you could possibly imagine. She had a career in management a loving husband and together they had three young daughters, aged 10, 7 and 5, that sparkled with life. This woman also had a baby boy named Lorenzo. He was beautiful and his parents pride and joy. His mother took him everywhere with her saying, “Look at my beautiful baby boy”. One summer day in July the girls where at school and little Lorenzo was at his grandmothers house. His mother was having one of those days; you know, where everything that can go wrong does. Mom was really looking forward to lunch and getting a break from her hectic day. She strolled out of her office and down to her car when she realized that Lorenzo was there, in body but not in spirit. She panicked pulling his limp body from the car-seat screaming “LORENZO, LORENZO!!” The police were called and an investigation ensued, in the end it was determined that it was a tragic accident. She wept for months proclaiming her repentance to her husband. Her family and friends tried to console her but nothing remedied her despair. Eventually she returned to her normal life but sometimes, on hot summer days, when the sun is overhead and waves of heat roll across parking lots, you can hear her scream “Lorenzo, Lorenzo”. On a rare occasion at a distance you might see a woman’s figure, dressed in black, looking in parked cars crying “Lorenzo, Lorenzo”. The local gossip has it that she is destined to wander until she finds Lorenzo.

The formal social controls instituted by the state would serve little good in the Ruela case. Formal social control would stigmatize her and greatly hinder her chances at life. Since she is highly interdependent and lives in a communitarian environment with her family and friends informal social control is a better method of correction. By leaving the shaming up to her close social group a better chance exists that she can become a functioning member of society.