focal concerns

Focal concerns theorist

Miller

What did miller suggest

• working class boys were socialised into values that meant they were more likely to engage in crime, delinquent or deviant behaviour

What are these values they are socialised into? (The focal concerns)

• Fate

• Autonomy

• Smartness

• Trouble

• Toughness

• Excitement

Focal concern - excitement

• seek out excitement , particularly when not at work

• Not utilitarian crimes

Focal concern - Fate

• believe future already decided

• What they do wont influence it

• Not consider consequences

Focal concern - autonomy

• wish t be independent and not reliant on others

• Take matters into own hands, not calling police

Focal concern - smartness

• use wit or smart remarks

Focal concern - trouble

• linked to excitement and toughness, might find themselves in trouble

Focal concern - Toughness

• wish to prove they’re tough or ‘well ard’

• Result in fighting

Evaluation of millers focal concerns

• doesn’t consider gender

• Might just be masculine traits instead of wc

• These are also of wc girls tho so might just be values of youth or wc