sub-cultural theories of crime and deviance

WJEC essay plan for sub-cultural theories of crime and deviance

introduction

focus on the role of subculture and group membership in the genesis of deviant behaviour. a subculture is a group that shares different norms and values to the mainstream society, due to unique cicumstances and experiences.

key perspectives - Cohen

crims is a response to the inability of people, especially lower-class youths, to achieve mainstream societies goals.

key perspectives - Cloward and Ohlin

three types of delinquent subcultures; criminal, conflict, and retreatist. form based on the varying accessibility of legal and illegal means to achieve societal goals.

key perspectives - Miller

lower-class society has different priorities than the mainstream, leading to forms of deviant behaviour that are distinctive of their subculture.

key perspectives - Birmingham School

youth subcultures form as a resistance towards the dominant culture, each with distinctive styles that symbolise this resistance.

critiques of subcultural theories

too much emphasis on social class experience in shaping subcultures, overlooking ethnicity and gender. assumption that subcultural norms are homogenous within identified subcultures, arguing instead for individual agency and variance within the groups.

subcultural theories and gang culture

gang serves as an alternative supportive subculture for those feeling marginalised by mainstream society. danger of overgeneralisation; not all individuals in deprived circumstances join gangs, not all people in gangs are from deprived backgrounds.

conclusion

interesting insight into group behaviour dynamics, crucial to remember their limitations and potential biases. connections between societal forces, individual agency, and group norms highlight the need for more understanding, and consideration of other contributing factors (gender, ethnicity, and geographical location).