Functionalist Subcultural Theories - Miller: Focal Concerns

Question 1

What does Miller argue about the WC?

Answer 1

Argues the WC have their own cultural goals, or focal concerns

Question 2

What does Miller argue about the WC focal concerns?

Answer 2

They don’t value success but are more interested in excitement, smartness and toughness

These focal concerns lead to deviance

Question 3

What are the general criticisms of strain theory and subcultural theories?

Answer 3

All offer very influential theories of why people offend

All can be criticised for ignoring women and victims of crime

Focus on street crime so Marxists argue strain and subcultural theories ignore corporate crime and state crime

Marxists also argue strain and subcultural theories ignore who has the power to create and enforce laws

Labelling theory argues strain and subcultural theories ignore who is more likely to be labelled as criminal