subcultural theories - functionalism

Question 1

Cohen

Answer 1

WC boys face anomie in the MC education system as they are culturally deprived and lack the skills to achieve. this leaves them at the bottom of the official status hierarchy and as a result they suffer from status frustration. try to resolve this by rejecting mainstream MC values and turn to those who are in the same situation, forming a subculture. this provides an alternative status hierarchy where they can win status through delinquent acts.

Question 2

Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 2

agree that WC youths deviance stems from their response to being denied legitimate opportunities. however, they note that not everyone adapts by turning to innovation. some resort to violence, others to drug use. the key reason for this is due to access to the illegitimate opportunity structure. They identify three different subcultures:
professional
conflict
retreatist

Question 3

criminal subcultures (professionals)

Answer 3

offers an apprenticeship in utilitarian crime. longstanding, stable criminal culture. hierarchy of professional adult crime. provides opportunities on the criminal career ladder.

Question 4

conflict subcultures (gangs)

Answer 4

arise in areas of high population turnover. no stable criminal network. offer few illegitimate opportunities in loosely organised gangs. violence provides a release for blocked opportunities. alternative status is earned through winning ‘turf’

Question 5

retreatist subcultures (dropouts)

Answer 5

in any neighbourhood, not everyone who aspires to be a professional criminal or gang leader actually succeeds. Double failures - fail in both legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures. turn into a retreatist subculture based on illegal drug use.