Coward and Ohlin - illegitimate opportunity structure

What did they argue?

He argued that there was a legitimate opportunity structure (Merton socially acceptable means and goal) but also and illegitimate opportunity structure.

How was this structure available ?

Gang membership

how could there also be a strain in the illegitimate opportunity structure?

just because someone isn’t able to gain material wealth through the socially acceptable means doesn’t mean they can find a criminal path easily to gain the success.

How many types of deviant subculture do they belive exist?

3

What are these subcultures?

Criminal subculture

Conflict subculture

Retreatist subculture

What is the criminal subculture?

Organised crime where the criminals socialise with thoughts in there own career and could result in the material success.

What is the conflict subculture?

These are gangs organised by young people often basied of territory ‘turf wars’

What are the retreatist subcultures?

Those who are unable to access either opportunity structure could drop out all together often falling to drug usage.

How can these three categories be criticised?

Some subcultures can be a mix of the three for example drug use or dealing often plays a part in most subcultures

What do they not address?

Social class or gender