Miller - Focal Concerns

Which theory did Miller reject?

Merton and Cohen

What did Miller suggest about the cause of working class criminality?

WC boys were socialised into a number of values that together meant that they were more likely to engage in delinquent or deviant behaviour

What are Miller’s 6 Focal Concerns

FASTTE

• Fate

• Autonomy

• Smartness

• Trouble

• Toughness

• Excitement

Miller: Focal Concerns - Fate

They believe that their future is already decided

• won’t do anything to influence it

• self-fulfilling prophecy

Miller: Focal Concerns - Autonomy

They wish to be independent and not reliant on others

Miller: Focal Concerns - Smartness

They use wit or smart remarks

Miller: Focal Concerns - Trouble

Typically get into trouble

• Linked to excitement and toughness

Miller: Focal Concerns - Toughness

Might want to prove that they are tough or “well hard”

Miller: Focal Concerns - Excitement

They seek out excitement (particularly when not at home)

What is Miller suggesting through his Focal Concerns?

None of these vales mean that WC boys become criminals

• make crime more likely

Miller: Focal Concerns - Weaknesses (Feminist)

Doesn’t consider gender

• focal concerns might just be masculine values rather then lower-class ones!

• “concerns” are also those of working-class girls

• may be features of “lower-class” values r indeed of youth in general