crime and deviance-structural theories

what are structural theories?

• tend to agree with the view that typical criminals are young,male and working class

• tend to focus on influence of peer groups

• norms and values that can be formed into subcultures

how do subcultures affect crime and deviance

often formed by working class youths that normalise criminal and deviant behaviuor as a response to the strains created by their lack of opportunities

Cohen

challenges idea that criminal activity is similar across age-range

argues that juviniille delinquency is uniquely non-utilitarian (not done for profit) and associated with short-term hedonism (instant pleasure seeking)

Cohen and delinquent boys and gang culture

achievment of status “respect in the eyes of ones fellows” is paramount(super important)

if they cling to mainstream values,WC boys experince status fustration

in delinquent subcultures-if theyre delinquent they gain status from their peers

what are focal concerns(miller)?

WC boys have their own focal concerns (differnt from middle class) which have the potential to lead them into deviant behaviour

Miller and focal concerns?(what can they escape and egs)

FC can explain why level of deviance are higher in WC

egs: valuing freedom and excitment

evaluation of Miller?

• generalises WC

• Miller dosnet explain what “lower class “ is and how its norms and values differ from other classes

• only focuses on boys

Cloward and Ohlin explanation of deviance?

deviance is a reaction

said there is a “legitimate opportunity structure” and an “illegitamate” one

not all can legitimately do it so a strain is caused

some people where an existing criminal subculture lives-showing that not everyone turns to crime

what are the 3 types of deviant subcultures that Cloward and Ohlin sugggested?

1. criminal

2. conflict

3. retreatist

what is a criminal subculture?

organised crime e.g. mafia where career criminals can socilise youths into their own criminal careers that may lead to their own material sucess

conflict subculture?

gangs organised by young people themsleves,often based on claiming teritory from other gangs in so called “turf-wars”

retreatist subculture?

those who unable to acess illegitmate or legitmate opportunites and so may drop out all together but may do it as a group rather than indiiidually

Cloward and Ohlin evaluation?

• most criminal gangs have more than 1 element of suculture

• dosent tackle broader issues relating to social class and gender