Marxist And Neo-marxist Theory On Devaint Subcultures

Question 1

What do Marxists believe about the formation of deviant subcultures?

Answer 1

That working class youth join deviant and criminal subcultures due to their marginalised place in society (lack of education and money).
Marxists see delinquency as a disguised form of protest from the working classes against capitalism and outlet of frustration

Question 2

What is the idea of scapegoat?

Answer 2

Delinquency does not challenge capitalist society directly. Delinquency is often aimed at easy target in society e.g. ethnic minorities, even though the working class delinquents should blame the government for their position

Question 3

Evaluate the Marxist theory

Answer 3

• postmodernists argue that ‘spectacular subcultures’ are not very prominent today instead fluid neo-tribes exist (-)
• feminists criticise Marxists for ignoring the role of females in subcultures (-)

Question 4

Describe the Neo Marxist theory by Lea and young

Answer 4

Lea and Young are left realist sociologists:
There are three main explanation for youth deviance (MRS):

• Marginalisation: young people are pushed the edge of society and made to feel powerless, so they join a subculture as an outlet for their frustration
• Relative deprivation: youth compare themselves to other (e.g. through the media)
• subculture: they might develop norms and values in a subculture that cause them to become deviant

Question 5

Evaluation on Lea and Young’s neo-Marxist theory

Answer 5

• The CCCs have been criticised by feminists for ignoring females (-)
• neo-Marxists are up to date compared to traditional and out dated Marxists theories (+)
• neo-Marxists would be supported by interactionist theory and labelling theory which could increase marginalisation (+)