There are a variety of reasons why individuals may be motivated to join a mafia/criminal organization. These can even include just a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Yes, Hollander, people are getting tunnel vision with money. There's a bigger picture.

It's the same thing with street gangs, some people just want to belong to something and have an identity and a purpose.

And some love an adrenaline rush, always involved in crimes or fights. That's why they even shoplift lol to get the adrenaline going.

And some watch too many fuckin movies and idolize the Goodfellas. Then they end up like Jackie Aprile Jr cause they are not cut out for it and highly ignorant.

That Jack Garcia told a funny one when Greg De Palma at like 75-80 years old was in a store hiding things in his jacket stealing them, like cheap shit. And Jack called him out and he just said he couldn't help himself he loved it

Even Renato Vallanzasca a feared killer in 1970s-1980s was arrested recently because was caught stealing underwear during the day release ,I wouldn't call it an adrenaline rush but more a squalid thing.

Similar as degenerate gamblers. They live for the action, the more they lose the more they love the game....until they end up completely broke with no more money sources and sooner or later they end up in some ditch or commit suicide.

Renato Vallanzasca isn't the best example, he was part of a now-defunct gang, not a member of any of the established big criminal organizations. Plus, he was on a prison furlough, if he was really that destitute he could've just skipped his furlough and have everything provided for by the state.

James Licavoli from Cleveland also did shoplifting when he was boss already. I thought it was a joke when I first read about it.

Speaking of Livavoli, I think it was Peter Livavoli of Detroit, he was wealthy, moved to Arizona. Anyway, he was known for being a really cheap ass. I'll try to find the details. John Pennisi also spoke of a guy who made 30K a month but would still take his car to a friend for a free oil change.

Not sure about Peter, but the shoplifting incident I was talking about was about James Licavoli. I mean, the one mentioned here:

https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/the-read/articles/the-life-and-hard-times-of-cleveland's-mafia

I dont remember the whole story but i think that it was old time Outfit made member Dominick Brancato (hitman since the 1930s and one of the infamous "Three Doms") was caught stealing in some shop while he was an old man. I mean how low can you get and the whole "men of honor" thing goes out the window.

Once again, I'll say that their definition is very different from other people's definition of honor. It doesn't include not committing crimes or stealing from a store.

Yes I remember that story about Jackie Livavoli now. He was just cheap and didn't like paying for things. This is actually quite common, with even celebrities and other wealthy people. Only when they do it we don't bash them for their "lack of honor."

It used to be a common practice for some celebrities to write checks for any amount under around 50 bucks or so.
The checks would never get cashed because of the autograph.
Clint Eastwood in particular, says that he routinely did this for minor traffic citations. He joked that there are probably framed checks from him on display in Police Stations all over the US.

I agree largely with what’s been said. However it also depends on the capability and criminal intelligence (of crime, the legal system, etc) of the individual and how they operate and behave. Now it appears that there is a deficiency of criminal talent and skills to avoid being a target. Some still manage to do well but it’s a very small percentage

It's about honor and respect (rispetto), but only in their own circle (in particular to their superiors).

I think The Sopranos was pretty realistic. Christopher complaining about how not being a made man was like anything he thought it was gonna be, made guys preying on each other even from the same Family, etc.

There are, (or were,) certain distinct benefits to being formally inducted. But, on the other hand, there were also definite liabilities to the position as well.

Conversely, so-called "associates," who ran the gamut from lowly nobodies, to extremely important and powerful figures, also had benefits and liabilities to their positions.

But, quite frankly, when you speak of the top-tier, the "top ranked" associates. The men who had lucrative million-dollar rackets and businesses, were considered real street savvy and were "capable" too, those fellas were almost considered the same as a formally inducted guys. (And in some cases, they even ranked higher and held more respect than them.)