Subcultural Theory

Subcultural theory - Cloward and Ohlin

Argues that deviance is a group phenomenon.

Group of Delinquents in America - Cloward

Found that while the boys were reacting to strain and their LACK OF STATUS, they didn't react individually. They developed status frustration.

Status Frustration

Feelings of shame, failure and frustration because of the struggle to gain qualifications and succeed in the job-market or business.

Illegitimate opportunity structures

• criminal subcultures

• conflict subcultures

• retreatist subcultures

Criminal subcultures

• arise only in neighbourhoods with established crime i.e. the organisers of drug supply networks and supply of other illicit goods.

• basically an apprenticeship into crime

Conflict subcultures

• arise in areas of high population turnovers and unestablished crime networks

• joining loosely organised gangs, resorting to violence to releasing frustration

Retreatist subcultures

• those who fail in being successful, people turn to drug use

• homeless, drop-outs, sex workers and drug users

Criticism, Subterranean values - Matza

Nobody fully exists in a subculture nor fully internalises the deviant values. Instead they DRIFT in and out of SUBCULTURE ACTIVITY, embracing and then abandoning subterranean values.