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social disorganization

American  

noun

Sociology.
  1. disruption or breakdown of the structure of social relations and values resulting in the loss of social controls over individual and group behavior, the development of social isolation and conflict, and a sense of estrangement or alienation from the mainstream of one's culture; the condition or state of anomie.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the context of crime and social disorganization, the U.S. currently has much less violent crime per capita than it did during the 1990s and 1980s.

From Salon

The consequence of extreme economic inequities is “socially structured hardship that result in feelings of ‘resentment, frustration, hopelessness, and alienation’ which ... leads to widespread social disorganization and violent crime,” the researchers noted.

From Washington Post

"The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on society in low-income communities, and it just adds to the social disorganization that exists," said Samuel Walker, a policing expert and professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

From Fox News

“The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on society in low-income communities, and it just adds to the social disorganization that exists,” said Samuel Walker, a policing expert and professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

From Seattle Times

Social capital is also reflected in trust in other people, confidence in institutions, mutual generosity, high collective efficacy, and low social disorganization.”

From Seattle Times