CMY3701
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number: 831785
Due Date: 18 August 2025
INTRODUCTION
School violence remains a deeply troubling issue in South Africa, especially when it
escalates into extreme acts such as the tragic killing of a teacher by a learner. The case of
Ms Matefo Mphosela, a respected teacher at Kagisano Combined School, who was fatally
stabbed by a Grade 12 learner, has shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about
the safety of educators and the social conditions influencing youth behaviour.
This assignment aims to explore the social disorganisation theory as a framework for
understanding deviant behaviour within communities. The theory suggests that the
breakdown of social institutions such as families, schools, and neighbourhoods contributes to
criminal and violent acts. By examining the details of the incident through the lens of this
theory, the assignment seeks to explain how environmental and community factors may have
contributed to the learner’s deviant behaviour, while also highlighting the broader social
challenges affecting learners in marginalised areas.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
INTRODUCTION
School violence remains a deeply troubling issue in South Africa, especially when it
escalates into extreme acts such as the tragic killing of a teacher by a learner. The
case of Ms Matefo Mphosela, a respected teacher at Kagisano Combined School,
who was fatally stabbed by a Grade 12 learner, has shocked the nation and raised
serious concerns about the safety of educators and the social conditions influencing
youth behaviour. This assignment aims to explore the social disorganisation theory
as a framework for understanding deviant behaviour within communities. The theory
suggests that the breakdown of social institutions such as families, schools, and
neighbourhoods contributes to criminal and violent acts. By examining the details of
the incident through the lens of this theory, the assignment seeks to explain how
environmental and community factors may have contributed to the learner’s deviant
behaviour, while also highlighting the broader social challenges affecting learners in
marginalised areas.
1.1. SOCIAL DISORGANISATION THEORY
1.1.1 Introduction
Social disorganisation theory is a sociological explanation of crime that emphasises
the role of community structures and environmental factors in shaping deviant
behaviour. Originally developed by the Chicago School in the early 20th century, this
theory rejects biological and psychological explanations of criminal behaviour and
instead focuses on the breakdown of social institutions such as family, education,
and community (Joubert, 2014:67). According to Shaw and McKay (1942), when a
community is unable to maintain social order and control, it becomes vulnerable to
criminal activity.
1.1.2 The Foundation of Social Organisation
Before understanding social disorganisation, one must understand what constitutes
social organisation. In organised societies, individuals share common values, norms,
and expectations, which promote cooperation and predictability. Social institutions,
cultural customs, and laws reinforce behaviour that aligns with collective goals. In
such environments, individuals are guided by reciprocal expectations, and
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number: 831785
Due Date: 18 August 2025
INTRODUCTION
School violence remains a deeply troubling issue in South Africa, especially when it
escalates into extreme acts such as the tragic killing of a teacher by a learner. The case of
Ms Matefo Mphosela, a respected teacher at Kagisano Combined School, who was fatally
stabbed by a Grade 12 learner, has shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about
the safety of educators and the social conditions influencing youth behaviour.
This assignment aims to explore the social disorganisation theory as a framework for
understanding deviant behaviour within communities. The theory suggests that the
breakdown of social institutions such as families, schools, and neighbourhoods contributes to
criminal and violent acts. By examining the details of the incident through the lens of this
theory, the assignment seeks to explain how environmental and community factors may have
contributed to the learner’s deviant behaviour, while also highlighting the broader social
challenges affecting learners in marginalised areas.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
INTRODUCTION
School violence remains a deeply troubling issue in South Africa, especially when it
escalates into extreme acts such as the tragic killing of a teacher by a learner. The
case of Ms Matefo Mphosela, a respected teacher at Kagisano Combined School,
who was fatally stabbed by a Grade 12 learner, has shocked the nation and raised
serious concerns about the safety of educators and the social conditions influencing
youth behaviour. This assignment aims to explore the social disorganisation theory
as a framework for understanding deviant behaviour within communities. The theory
suggests that the breakdown of social institutions such as families, schools, and
neighbourhoods contributes to criminal and violent acts. By examining the details of
the incident through the lens of this theory, the assignment seeks to explain how
environmental and community factors may have contributed to the learner’s deviant
behaviour, while also highlighting the broader social challenges affecting learners in
marginalised areas.
1.1. SOCIAL DISORGANISATION THEORY
1.1.1 Introduction
Social disorganisation theory is a sociological explanation of crime that emphasises
the role of community structures and environmental factors in shaping deviant
behaviour. Originally developed by the Chicago School in the early 20th century, this
theory rejects biological and psychological explanations of criminal behaviour and
instead focuses on the breakdown of social institutions such as family, education,
and community (Joubert, 2014:67). According to Shaw and McKay (1942), when a
community is unable to maintain social order and control, it becomes vulnerable to
criminal activity.
1.1.2 The Foundation of Social Organisation
Before understanding social disorganisation, one must understand what constitutes
social organisation. In organised societies, individuals share common values, norms,
and expectations, which promote cooperation and predictability. Social institutions,
cultural customs, and laws reinforce behaviour that aligns with collective goals. In
such environments, individuals are guided by reciprocal expectations, and
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
