Sons of Anarchy is an American television series that tells the story of the Samcro motor gang. The gang lives in Charming, a small town in Northern California. In return for continuing their illegal activities, they offer to protect the people and maintain peace. There is hostility between the locals and other motor gangs, but thanks to Samcro, they lead a life away from crime. This is like a social agreement between the motor gang and the residents of Charming.
Samcro deals with the weapons coverage of the IRA, an Irish terrorist group. The motor gang has a relationship with the IRA for years. Although Samcro was originally a legal aid group consisting of people spending their free time with friends, over time, it has become a group of illegal businesses. Throughout the series, Samcro’s history is brought to light, and we come to understand the values in Samcro’s founding.
Origins of the Motorcycle Club
The first motor clubs began to be formed at the end of World War II when American troops began to return to the United States. The experiences the commanders shared among the different units of the army and the unity they felt during the war enabled them to have a unique experience in their lives. But when the war was over, all of this was gone. Many missed the wartime, especially as their daily lives were unbearable. Motorcycle Club members thought they were not suitable for civil life. They felt they were marginal in their environment. They saw things that no one had experienced and therefore formed a close bond with each other.
However, these men both desire to return to society and reject their new place in society. They form the Motorcycle Club to heal their wartime wounds. Motorcycles are the means of transportation that most people buy because of their low price. For this reason, they start to spend more time together as most of them have motorcycles. Everyone who has taken part in the arm-to-hand, hand-to-hand combat is invited to travel, walks, and other events of the Motorcycle Club.
After the riots in the city of Hollister in the 1950s, some bikers abandon the traditional biker life and make up the famous 1%. The Motorcycle Association of America (AMA) states that 99% of bikers follow the rules. The remaining 1% does not agree to comply with the social norms of the association. They form the Motorcycle Gang.
Culture of Violence in Sons of Anarchy
Violence seems to be at the core of society. It is positioned as a social phenomenon used by groups to pass their words on to other groups. In a cultural context, violence is defined as a set of values and norms based on violence.
In this respect, violence is a method that feeds such violent behaviors and is used to solve problems. Accordingly, violence only breeds violence. This is clearly seen in the series: For groups to take control, they have to resort to more and more aggression each time.
Why? Because these behaviors, which were not perceived as “very serious” before, are responded with disproportionate violence. This causes greater pressure as the other party tries to print a more violent response.
Similarly, violence is a sign of respect or a sign of authority. In the hierarchical order, the dignity of the person and the club is above all else. The chairman, the leader of the group, must not only guide the group in the right direction but also socially lead the group in the right direction. He must ensure the club’s loyalty and ensure that the rules supporting the club are respected.
The Importance of the Family
The Motorcycle Club is built on family values. People in the club are not just friends or comrades; they are brothers. Likewise, they also contribute to the socialization of their children who are born in an environment where the ground is prepared to follow their parents.
The family is responsible for educating the Sons of Anarchy and reinforcing their ideals. Children do not go to school because they are “not part of” society. The values or rules they must obey are different, and they create unique concepts and ideas that are compatible with the realities passed down from generation to generation. This restricted learning opportunity that does not allow socialization outside the boundaries of the “family” prevents the new generations from having a wider vision.
The Role of Women
Women have formed a group outside of the Motorcycle Club. Although they are also members of the club, they have not moved away from the traditional role of women in society throughout history: wife and mother. In this way, Sons of Anarchy reflects the violence against women of all ages.
A woman must be a permanent girlfriend or spouse of a club member to be a part of SAMCRO. Other than that, women exist only to satisfy men’s immediate desires. The woman is always at the man’s command.
A woman is a person who ensures harmony in the group. She fulfills many functions to do this role. SAMCRO places a lot of emphasis on women’s relationships with club members because in the concept of the family, if you can’t give everything for the club, you don’t deserve to be in the club.
As a result, Sons of Anarchy tries to reflect the lifestyle and values that link many “motorcycle clubs.” Their marginal positioning after the war has driven them away from society and caused them to reject society. Their engines have become their lives and what defines them.