Another common theory as to which factors determine patterns of violence is one proposed by David T. Courtwright in his book, Violent Land. According to Courtwright, studies provide evidence that the majority of violent acts can be attributed to a population of young males without significant familial connections. His reasoning is that without the stabilizing family unit, the young male is less concerned with self-preservation and, therefore, more inclined to become involved in violence. Once again, however, this theory fails to explain the history of violent coal mining communities which were composed of predominately nuclear families.

Since these two prominent theories have failed to sufficiently answer the question as to the origins of the violence experienced in the coal fields, it becomes necessary to search for an alternate answer. In doing so one encounters an interesting connection between the historical struggles of captive persons and the violent uprisings of late nineteenth and early twentieth century coal miners. The similarities between the seemingly distant examples abound.