Mafia Subculture

Sociology 101

11/17/05

Subculture Paper

In today’s lifetime, there are numerous different cultures that are continuing to develop. We look at culture as a way of expressing behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work. But with these ways, our cultures are being divided into countercultures, which are typically carried out by the younger generation with values or lifestyles in hostility to those of the established culture. A subculture social group within a world culture that has distinguishing pattern of behavior and beliefs. An example of a division of culture would be the Mafia, an organized crime family or business. The members in this group share and are committed to a common set of norms and values. The Mafias lifestyle principles are directly opposed to those of the dominant society. The meaning the Mob affiliates has a behavior that serves to unite them at the same time, which separates them from normal American culture.

Many characteristic titles are given to the organized crime or mob. The people that construct these groups are viewed as killers. But our culture tends not to view the organized crime subculture for what it really is. An organized crime enterprise is a criminal group that provides unlawful goods or services on a regular basis. An example would be a narcotics wholesaler. Therefore it is a criminal firm, family or business organization. (Reppetto p.26) The mafia’s made membership in the United States in 1963 was approximately 5,000. Twenty-five hundred of these were in five families in New York City; 300 or more were in Chicago, the other major city of widespread organized crime activity, under one family. Recognition of the common ethnic tie of the members of the mafia is necessary to understanding its organization. (MacNee p.30)

The mafia was a form of behavior and a kind of power. Members were known as “soldiers” or “wise guys.” The soldiers were the individuals, mainly young middle-aged men who, along with their nonmember associates, engaged in the illegal activities of organized crime. Gambling, narcotics, loan-sharking, hijacking, labor racketeering, are just some of the illegal offenses. (Arlacchi p27) There were also those who engaged in the legal activities of organized crime: garbage disposal, restaurants and bars, vending machines, produce, trucking, and garment manufacturing. Wherever the mafia could get their hands on money, they were involved. They controlled the underground world in major cities. (DeNevi p.40)

A Don, who was insulated from actual operations by several layers of authority, ultimately controlled each family. According to accepted belief, the Don's closest and most trusted advisor was referred to as the consigliere. In reality, the consigliere was meant to be something of a hearing officer who was charged with intervening intra-family disputes. He also takes care of the economical side of the business. An under boss was likely as well. There were then a number of regimes with a varying number of soldiers who conducted actual operations. Each regime was headed by a caporegime, who reported to the boss. When the boss made a decision, he never issued orders directly to the soldiers who would carry it out, but instead passed instructions down through the chain of command. In this way, the higher levels of the organization were effectively insulated from incrimination if a lower level member should be captured by law enforcement. (Arlacchi p 82) A hit or assassination of a made man had to be preapproved by the leadership of his family, or retaliatory hits would be made, possibly inciting a war. (King p.36)

Behavior patterns were different depending on whom you were doing business with and how well you knew the boss. Some men were aggressive and some were peaceful, there were all different characters in mob organizations but all had their priorities, which consisted of making money and making sure that the business grew with respect. Respect was one of the important factors on the street along with appearance. (Reppetto p.17) The look of perfectly groomed businessman was an appearance of faultlessly costumed men in public.(MacNee p.21) Usually a mafia member would spend their mornings and nights mainly drinking and doing illegal gambling. (Reppetto p.18) Money came easy to the members in the group