subculturalist theories

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Questions and Answers

What is the peak age range for offending behaviors?

14-25 (correct)

25-30

10-14

30-40

What reason contributes to the decline of criminality as individuals age?

Increased financial stability (correct)

Stronger peer influences

Less exposure to urban areas

Higher rates of unemployment

Which of the following is a characteristic of delinquent behavior among young people?

Often considered utilitarian

Easily overlooked by authorities

Highly planned and sophisticated

Frequent involvement in non-utilitarian activities (correct)

Which factor is associated with the higher rate of crime among young individuals?

Involvement in risky behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What role do subcultures play in youth criminality?

They often promote distinct norms and values that may encourage criminal activities. Signup and view all the answers

How do powerful societal groups influence perceptions of youth crime?

They perpetuate the idea that youth are more criminal than other age groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of crime is NOT commonly associated with young people's criminal behavior?

White collar crime Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the relationship between age and crime?

Young people commit no more crime than older age groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason Albert Cohen suggests that working-class youths join deviant subcultures?

To achieve status among their peers Signup and view all the answers

According to Cloward and Ohlin, what do working-class youths lack compared to middle-class youths?

Legitimate opportunity structures Signup and view all the answers

What does 'outlaw capitalism' refer to in Venkatesh's findings?

Youth gangs engaging in drug dealing for profit Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a subculture to be 'functional' within society?

It serves the needs and goals of its members Signup and view all the answers

Which type of subculture is characterized by violent behavior and a focus on respect?

Conflict subcultures Signup and view all the answers

What is a retreatist subculture primarily centered around?

Substance abuse and withdrawal Signup and view all the answers

What do functionalist sociologists believe about the role of deviant and criminal subcultures in society?

They provide a means for status and income Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the establishment of criminal subcultures in working-class areas?

Presence of established criminal networks Signup and view all the answers

What is one way ethnic minorities may respond to structural inequalities?

Politically resisting via protests Signup and view all the answers

What does Katz argue about the motivations behind deviant behavior in youth?

It is driven by impulsive and seductive attractions Signup and view all the answers

How do female participants in pro-ana and pro-mia subcultures respond to patriarchal ideals?

By gaining control over their bodies Signup and view all the answers

How are young females viewed within criminal subcultures according to Harding?

As secondary players under patriarchal control Signup and view all the answers

What criticism do postmodernists, such as Katz, have towards the Marxist view on crime and deviance?

That motivations for crime are frequently impulsive Signup and view all the answers

What does Scraton suggest about marginalized groups and their resistance to society?

They resist external capitalist forces Signup and view all the answers

In what way can patriarchy affect young females in deviant subcultures?

It may limit their opportunities to join these subcultures Signup and view all the answers

What role do young females typically occupy in criminal subcultures, according to the content?

Supportive but secondary roles Signup and view all the answers

What do Marxists like Snider and Gordon argue about deviant and criminal subcultures?

They are mostly linked to middle-aged and middle-class individuals. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Marxist perspective, what is a significant reason for the existence of deviant and criminal youth subcultures?

They provide a means to challenge capitalism and consumerism. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hebdige expand on Gramsci's ideas regarding youth subcultures?

By showing how spectacular youth subcultures reject cultural hegemony. Signup and view all the answers

What term does Hebdige use to describe the solutions offered by spectacular youth subcultures?

Imaginary solutions Signup and view all the answers

What justification does Scraton offer for the emergence of deviant and criminal youth subcultures?

They are a response to oppression and exclusion from legitimate opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of crimes committed by middle-class individuals, as mentioned in the discussion of white-collar crime?

Gang violence Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, why do working-class youths have the capacity for free thought?

They are not fully ideological controlled by capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of deviant and criminal subcultures provided by Marxist theorists?

They fail to recognize the impact of social exclusion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Heidensohn argue about patriarchy's impact on females?

It decreases females' opportunities to engage in deviant activities. Signup and view all the answers

According to Adler's Liberation Thesis, what should females do in response to patriarchy?

Increase deviant and criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is one outcome of the rise in female crime rates according to the content?

It reflects a deeper societal acceptance of ladette culture. Signup and view all the answers

How does Messerschmidt view the connection between patriarchy and male criminal activity?

Criminal activities express values associated with hegemonic masculinity. Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Haenfler attribute to some males deviating from hegemonic masculinity?

Nerd masculinity in online subcultures. Signup and view all the answers

What critical perspective does Sarkessian provide regarding online nerd masculinities?

They still endorse misogynistic and violent ideals. Signup and view all the answers

What does intersectionality suggest in relation to deviant and criminal subcultures?

Multiple factors beyond patriarchy must be considered. Signup and view all the answers

What role do female subcultures play in relation to patriarchy according to the content?

They can rebel or conform, challenging patriarchal norms. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a significant factor in the development of deviant and criminal youth subcultures?

Media representation of crime Signup and view all the answers

According to Charles Murray, what is a contributing factor to the underclass?

Single mothers and absent fathers Signup and view all the answers

What does Tony Sewell highlight about the socialization of young males?

The influence of hypermasculinity Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Marsland associate with the perpetuation of the underclass?

Dependency culture Signup and view all the answers

How do Murray and Sewell both view deviant and criminal value systems?

They view them as transmitted through socialization. Signup and view all the answers

What do critics argue about Marsland's perspective on the welfare state?

It underestimates the effect of class inequalities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a major criticism of the New Right view on deviant youth subcultures?

It neglects economic factors affecting social class. Signup and view all the answers

The notion of a 'nanny state' is associated with which theorist's argument?

Marsland Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Subcultural Explanations of Crime and Deviance

Crime is strongly linked to young people, peaking between 14 and 25 years old.
Urban areas may offer more opportunities for crime, due to higher youth unemployment and limited social bonds.
Young people are more prone to peer pressure and risk-taking behaviors, leading to impulsive and unsophisticated crimes.
Young people frequently encounter situations where criminal behavior might be easier or more likely, such as those presented in pubs and clubs.
Subcultural theorists attempt to explain why young people are involved in crime more than other age groups.
Some suggest that young people create subcultures with distinct norms and values, influenced by peer pressure and a need for status.
The creation of subcultures, according to functionalists, can be a functional way for those in lower classes to gain status.
Some argue that young people's subcultures are functional because they offer a way for lower-class youths to gain status or earn money when traditional methods are ineffective.
Cloward and Ohlin's study suggests that working-class youth lack legitimate opportunities and are thus more likely to participate in criminal subcultures.
Several subcultures may arise, such as those focused on criminal activity (criminal subcultures), those based on conflict (conflict subcultures), and those focused on drug abuse (retreatist subcultures).

Criticisms of Subcultural Explanations

Marxist theorists argue that subcultures are not simply about youth but, instead, a response to the inequalities of capitalism.
The Marxist perspective criticizes the view that these subcultures are functional, instead suggesting they are a reaction to oppression and exclusion.
Criminals in subcultures may also be reacting to social issues like racism or sexism.
Postmodernists challenge the notion that crime is a deliberate political act and instead posit that it is often driven by impulse and the pursuit of pleasure.
Intersectionality suggests that factors like social class, gender, ethnicity, and age must be considered when examining subcultures.
Sociologists point out that, despite some subcultures' apparent defiance of cultural norms, they are still often structured by patriarchal norms within.

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Description

Explore the complexities of youth criminality through this quiz. Delve into factors influencing offending behaviors among young individuals and the societal perceptions surrounding them. Gain insights into the characteristics of delinquent behavior and the role subcultures play in youth crime.