Social Structure Theory is concerned with how institutions and societal structures influence people’s behavior. According to the concept, people are impacted by their surroundings, and social and economic circumstances, cultural norms, and legal structures of their community all have an impact on how they behave. A particular branch of the study of social structure, social disorganization theory, explains why crime is more common in some places. According to this idea, communities with poor social institutions, high rates of poverty, and a lack of unity are more sensitive to experiencing crime.

One of the main reasons they commit crimes is the social disorganization in their community. Poverty, high unemployment rates, and an absence of social support networks define the community as a whole.  A climate where crime is more rationalized as a survival tactic is produced by the lack of powerful social structures including security forces, social groups, and education. The death of Stony’s brother is the breakdown of social institutions as demonstrated by the systemic racism and police brutality that are visible in this setting. The way the police handled Stony’s brother is a clear indication of the lack of trust in the community and the inability of law enforcement to keep the residents of these communities safe. This makes residents feel more isolated and frustrated, which increases the chance that crimes like the bank heist will take place. Frankie’s Job Loss at the bank encounter serves as a reminder of how systemic weaknesses, including racism and unequal treatment, can cause people to completely disregard the system. Frankie’s unlawful termination further encourages her to take matters into her own hands in a community where organizations are already lacking. Her decision to participate in the bank robberies is mostly influenced by her feeling that an organization she put so much trust in was meant to offer stability had betrayed her. The community’s poor institutions and lack of social stability serve as an excuse for criminal activity. These ladies see committing a bank robbery as a means of overcoming systemic injustice and obtaining the financial security that the world around them have denied them.