City of God

City of God is based on a true story and depicts drug abuse, violent crime and tells about a boys struggle to free himself from the slums. It takes place in a poor neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. This paper will discuss social inequities, developmental taxonomy and peer influences in the movie. How the movie portrays the criminal justice system, addresses the drug-crime nexus, and the effect on the society will also be addressed.

The movie takes place in a very poor neighborhood. The movie shows groups of young children using drugs, carrying guns and committing crimes such as robbery. According to sociologists, the lower social class or socioeconomic status and poverty in the neighborhood could explain the drug use, crime and drug-crime nexus. (Walters, 2014, p. 204) Studies have shown that social inequalities mediate the relationship between drugs and crime. (Walters, 2014, p. 207)

The developmental taxonomy theory of crime suggests that delinquency conforms to three developmental patterns. One of those patterns is life-course persistent (LCP). LCP offenders begin delinquency early and end late. Offenders learn the techniques and attitudes of other offenders by observing their actions. (Walters, 2014, pp. 92-93) The children in City of God begin a life of drugs and crime at very early ages. They learn from observing the older children in the movie. This is a way of life in their neighborhood.

Peers play an important role in drug and crime initiation, maintenance and escalation. They are capable of influencing a child to experiment with drugs and crimes. The effect on peers is a result of direct exposure to delinquent peer role models and attitudes. (Walters, 2014, pp. 218-219) Children in this movie begin an early life of crime and continue through adulthood. This is the only life that they know. They have learned it from watching their peers.

City of God demonstrates desperation and violence. The people are poor and crime is the only way they know to survive. Sometimes a crime is as simple as robbing gas to be able to heat food. Other times the crime is a warzone between the two rival drug dealers and their gangs. Many young people die needlessly in this movie. Drugs and crime have heavily impacted this society. Many of the youth do not survive. They are taught to kill and sell drugs. The movie ends with a group of very young children walking around with