Subcultural Theories Flashcards

Study Notes

Subcultural Theories

Subcultural theory explains juvenile delinquency primarily among working-class youth and emphasizes the collective, rather than individual, nature of crime.
Delinquency is often driven by social groups or gangs, rather than personal ambition for material gain.

Cohen's Perspective

Cohen critiques Merton's focus on individual deviance, asserting that many acts of delinquency are group-based.
He studies working-class boys, identifying "status frustration" arising from blocked aspirations, leading to delinquency as a means of gaining peer respect.
Delinquent behavior serves to counteract low self-esteem developed from educational failure and societal rejection.
Cohen posits that institutions like schools contribute to this frustration by not equipping working-class boys with the necessary skills for success.

Evaluation of Cohen

Research by Willis suggests that some working-class youths redefine success, not viewing educational failure negatively due to different job aspirations.
Many working-class boys conform in educational settings, despite poor academic performance.
Critiques focus on Cohen's neglect of female delinquency and the role of social control agents, like police, in influencing perceptions of deviance.

Pitts' Research

Investigated gang culture in Waltham Forest, finding that respect and status are central motivations for gang membership.
Hyper-masculine identity and territorial disputes are common, with violence often linked to perceived disrespect.

Miller's Theory

Miller proposes that working-class boys have distinct norms and values, termed "focal concerns," which include an acceptance of violence (trouble), toughness, and thrill-seeking (excitement).
He argues that these focal concerns lead to law-breaking behaviors, often unintentional, as they adapt to their sociocultural environment.

Cloward and Ohlin's Contributions

They agree on the limited legitimate opportunities for working-class youth but introduce the idea of varied subcultural responses: criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures.
Each subculture reacts differently to their circumstances:
- Criminal subculture focuses on gaining status and financial profit through gang involvement.
- Conflict subculture is characterized by aggression and antisocial behavior without a focus on economic gain.
- Retreatist subculture revolves around substance use, including alcohol and drugs.

Nightingale's Research

Conducted a study on young black gangs in inner-city areas, highlighting unique subcultural dynamics in urban environments.

Description

Explore the key concepts of subcultural theories related to juvenile delinquency in this quiz. Understand the reasons behind the collective behavior of young working-class individuals in committing crimes, focusing on their social context and influences. Test your knowledge on important theorists like Cohen and their contributions to the field.