subcultural theory

general

criminal subcultures emerge in areas where there is an established pattern of organised adult crime

in such areas a ‘learning environment’ is provided for the young - they are exposed to criminal skills, deviant values and presented with criminal role models

cohen (status frustration)

he argued that delinquent behaviour was most likely to develop among w/c boys doing badly at school. he argued that they suffered from status frustration, they realised that achieving sdtatus through academic success would bve vry difficult. inatead they could gain status from their peers by being good at delinquent behaviour e.g stealing, vandalism

criticism of strain theory

he said thast they didnt explain crimes without profit (joyriding etc.), he said that Mertons explanation sahows how individuals turn to crime, but cohen used the idea of subcultures to show crime as a group behaviour

cloward and Olin

criminal subculture: crime for financial gain in gangs etc.

conflict subculture: mor concerned with violent, anti-social behaviour instead of making money

retreatist subcultures: puts the maij focus on alcohol or drugs

Miller

miller says w/c kids have different set of normsa and values called focal concerns

trouble: accepting that life involves violence

toughness: real men fight drink and womanisae

excitement: always oin the lookout for fun and having a laugh

Matza

against subcultural theory as he argues many young men just drift in and out of crime, and are just looking for excitement/fun