Informal Agency of Social Control - Peer Group/Subcultures

Question 1

Peer Groups as an informal agency of social control

Answer 1

Peer groups may use positive sanctions such as the endowment of respect or status (although this is often awarded for deviant activities)

as well as negative sanctions such as gossip, ridicule, sarcasm, criticism, shame, bullying, discrimination and exclusion to socially control the attitudes and behaviour of those in their orbit

Consequently, the peer group sometimes has more of an influence on the behaviour of adolescents than their parents do

although sociological studies generally demonstrate that the majority of adolescents usually end up conforming to the same set of cultural values and norms as their parents

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

Peer groups provide support and social control for teens as they assimilate into adult society, becoming less dependent on their parents

Question 3

Feminism

Answer 3

Peer groups can serve as a venue for teaching members gender roles, especially in male dominated peer groups.

Question 4

(-) Functionalism

Answer 4

Functionalists ignore the negative effects of peer groups. For example, peer pressure can encourage members to smoke, drink or even commit crimes.

Feminists would also talk about how Peer groups can serve as a venue for teaching members gender roles, especially in male dominated peer groups.