Social Control Theory - Essay Example

Effect on lives is as a derivative of friends, family, and other members of social network (Rankin). The application of these theories supports the Penn State sex scandal.

            Penn State University is one of the best universities least expected such a crisis. Society expects the athletics officials and coaching staff to be role models for youngsters. The university and the family of Sandusky had a blind eye to his association with the wrong peers (Jenkins). In 1999 after the resignation of Sandusky, the Penn State football authorities still gave him access to campus premises and facilities. This gives him an open opportunity and advantage to make sexual advances to the boys. Gary openly assumes the Sandusky investigation. Instead of coordinating the solution to the scandal, he is a cause and only bans Sandusky from bringing children to the campus. Graham Spanier, the president of the university neglects the report of the crisis at an early stage which later deteriorates the university's legacy (Frank).

            The reaction of the students has a basis as an internal control in support of social bonding theory. The firing of Paterno had a controversial information upload. This was a weak unethical decision by the Penn Board of State. The explanation was that the famous football coach did not act as a leader. His hesitation to report the pre-informed case to the police is a support of a crime. Paterno had the responsibility for his career goal as a coach and neglected organizational activities. Reputational recovery from the state's university riots tarnished its image to a long-term crisis. There is also some information that Penn State issues are of a mafia family interest (Becker). This gives birth to reason as to why Paterno had no impact to make but rather choose to be quiet. The two main characters behind the scandal are from the same school of thought and provide the solution to their problems in their way.

            Some part of this case delay may be to avoid negative opinions on the University. This serves the same purpose as image restoring theory. This can cause pain and disappointment and fracture the relationship between the official and other involved parties. This serves as an indirect control of the case theory. Back in 2002, McQueary happened to report seeing Sandusky raping a very young boy in the showers of campus. He also informed Joe Paterno. Upon informing the director of athletics, Tim Curley, and Gary Schultz who is the university police overseer, the report did not appear before the prosecutor (Becker). The mother of the affected boy reported the case to the university police in 1988, but no step is into consideration. The university should have enacted sharing of information to students, stakeholders, and the proper audience to diffuse the crisis. This supports the tendency of criminal participation because Sandusky had nothing to lose from deferral antisocial behavior (Frank).

            Through the satisfaction of the involved parties' needs, there was reluctance in the scandal investigation. Several influential people have supported the cover-up of this scandal. The governor of the state who is the board of trustees assumed informing the authority (Jenkins). Even after clear evidence from the detectives who had eavesdropped on some conversation between Sandusky and the mother of the molested boy Attorney Ray pressed no charges. Because of political and personal interests behind this case, Ray mysteriously disappeared in 2005 with some allegations pointing to his murder.

            The reaction of the different families is a point to note. The family of Joe Paterno has been very vocal about the tarnishing of their reputation and the removal of his statue (Mark). They have a belief in the ignorance of individual rights. The public and friends have turned against him with a belief in cover-up involvement. Sandusky has faced neglect by relatives who do not even want him to be near their children (Brumfield). The main man behind the scandal has some questionable background with the association alongside children. This has tempted him to commit a sex crime as outlined.