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Question 1

american subculture theory

merton = strain
cohen = status frustration + reacton formation

Answer 1

• american dream 1960s of upward mobility could lead to success for everyone
• howver not everyone had equal acess to this dream due to social inequalities
• sociologists create subculuture = explain how different groups respond to inequaliites
• merton strain theory = when people couldnt achieve success throuhg legitimate means they turn to crime thus adhering to criminal subucclute
• cohen = built on merton, working classs boys labelled as lazy or probleatic, create status frustataion forming their own subculture with values opposed to mainstream
• find alternative ways to success through reaction formation moving away from dominant culture to criminal subculture

Question 2

british subcultural theory

Answer 2

• david downes + stan cohen revidsed amercian subculutral theory
• downes = working class boys did not have status frustsation as they were dissasoicated from middle class values
• instead they followed working class vlaues of their parents through labouring jobs rather than educational attainment
• differeed from american gangs and crime as british sociologists saw these youths adapting loss of traditional jobs through social groups linked to fashion + music
• NDC CCCS - shifted focus aay from why youths commit crimes, instead to hwo society labelled them as devianct
• this meant less research on actual dynamics of criminal collaboartion
• howevr 4th industrial revolition crminality + gangs interest has frown
  howevr these are looser knit youth groups unlike amercian para state organsiational gangs