Subculture

Question 1

Key Points

Answer 1

• Merton thought C&D in terms of individual responses to stress and strain.
• Official statistics suggest that the typical criminal is young, male and working class.
• Accept this and focus on peer influence and norms and values amongst working class males as an explanation for C&D.
• They believe that this subculture may normalise C&D as a response to the strain caused by their class and lack of opportunities.

Question 2

Cloward & Ohlin 1961

Answer 2

• Accept Merton strain theory.
• Believe that both legitimate and illegitimate means of achieving society goals are differently available.
• Access to criminal subcultures (gangs, criminal hierarchy) is not available to all youths.
• In unstable and unorganised areas, youths turn to violence and conflict subcultures are formed to defend territories.
• Youths who have none of these routes available may withdraw from society and become retreatists.

Question 3

Miller 1958

Answer 3

• Believes that working class boys have their own focal concerns (values) which may lead them to deviant behaviour.
• Valuing freedom and excitement.
• Being in trouble.
• Being tough/macho.
• Being streetwise.
• Theses are different to the values of middle-class boys and could explain the differences in crime rates between the two.