subcultural theories and crime Flashcards
miller - focal concerns ?
suggests working class do not accept mainstream norms and values but actually focuses on a different set of norms and values given by working class culture. He called these focal concerns.
examples of focal concerns (miller)
- fate - future is already decided and what they do won’t influence it
- smartness - use of wit and smart remarks being cheeky is valued (outsmart others with crime)
- toughness - the wish to prove they are hard and tough (through violent crime)
research - miller ?
Simon winlow - working class males in Sunderland, some youths of Sunderland’s lowest income areas were denied the possibility of a criminal career therefore pushed towards violence
criticisms of miller?
the main criticism is that he presents a view of working class culture which is a sweeping generalisation. in reality working class styles are varied. He just talks about boys without really considering gender
marxism and subcultures ?
from the perspective of marxism they argued crime and deviance is evidence of the working class subcultures rejection of capitalism.
new right and subcultures ?
discusses on how there is a developing subculture of benefit dependant people who have values that are opposite to mainstream society. The new right thinkingers such as Murray call these people underclass and argue that many are single mothers who do not adequately socialise their children which leads to people growing up without wanting to work and therefore relying on benefits.
matza - drift theory?
matza had a study called ‘delinquency and drift’ he suggested that many young people drift in and out of criminal activity. he argues that theres no distinct subcultural values which can be identified. he believes there are ‘subterranean values’ which everyone shares alongside the conventional values. he argues that delinquents are more likely to give in to subterranean values inappropriately and will try to justify their actions through techniques of neutralisation.
