functionalism

durkheim

crime in inevitable in society and in many ways necessary to its harmony

crime can have both positive and negative aspects

argued core of society was a set of shared values which guide our actions; this value consensus shaped societies collective conscience.

reaffirms social boundaries

merton

strain theory

people turn to crime when experiencing strain

people commit crime because of a strain between societies goals and the means of achieving them.

most people want the ‘American dream’

the problem is not everyone has the right skills, qualifications and opportunities to achieve this legitimately through jobs.

argues it is functional for those experiencing strain to turn to deviant or criminal acts in order to achieve their goal

cloward and ohlin

illegitimate opportunity structures

see strain theory to explain why some youth turn to crime

greater pressure for working class youth compared to middle class youth to deviate from mainstream norms and values because they have less opportunity to success within the legitimate opportunity structure

more likely to have acces to an illegitimate opportunity structure

venkatesh

outlaw capitalism

crime can be functional for society

working class men from ethnic minority backgrounds had few opportunities since the level of unemployment was 80%

gang lifestyle is easier, serves a function for gang members who need these elements in order to function in society.