Left realist explanations of ethnic differences in offending

Question 1

What do left realists believe about statistics?

Answer 1

They’re true and represent real differences in rates of offending

Question 2

Left realist sociologists

Answer 2

Lea, Young and Matthews

Question 3

How do left realists view crime?

Answer 3

As a product of relative deprivation, subcultures and marginalisation

Question 4

How is ethnic crime a result of relative deprivation?

Answer 4

Crime has its roots in poverty and BAME groups are more likely to experiene material deprivation compared with others in society, turning to crime to overcome status frustration and racist discrimination

Question 5

How do ethnic subcultures lead to crime?

Answer 5

BAME groups are move likely to live in relative deprivation and can’t achieve mainstream goals. They join subcultures to close the deprivation gap and adopt their own norms and values as gangs offer money and status

Question 6

How has marginalisation led to crime?

Answer 6

Wider societal racism, discrimination and exclusion from housing and job markets mean BAME groups feel marginalised in society

Question 7

What do left realists argue about racism?

Answer 7

It has led to the marginalisation and economic exclusion of ethnic minority groups, who face higher levels of unemployment, poverty and poor housing

Question 8

One ethnic minority response to racism?

Answer 8

The formulation of deviant subcultures, especially by young unemployed black males. Thus producing higher levels of utilitarian crime aswell as non utilitarian to express status frustration