Emile Durkheim's Social Theories

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, during the 19th century, the field of social sciences was introduced to the revolutionary ideas of a French social theorist,Emile Durkheim, author of the discourse on social integration and solidarity, "Suicide: A Study in Sociology". The author points out that, in Durkheim's Law of Social Gravity, he explains how the physical structure of an environment or local area influences the social structure of its people. The paper applies Durkheim's theories on the suicide phenomenon, The Law of Social Gravity, to present-day gang behavior of lower-class youth.

From the Paper:

"Thus, in the case of suicide, Durkheim applies this social law, where he posits,?" groups that have a higher social density have less likelihood that their members will kill themselves? because social structure" (makes an individual) less individualistic? With higher social density, the meaning of life is attached to participation in the group, not to one's own wishes? (190). In effect, because there is greater social interaction and integration in societies with high social density, there is less danger that an individual will feel alienated in his/her own society. Groups within the society also help integrate an individual in the society, giving him/her a sense of identity and belongingness in that group, and in effect, in the society as well."

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