Topic 5a: Age and crime: sub-cultural explanations

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Approximately 50% of all crimes are committed by young people – statistical evidence shows that the older a person gets, the less likely they are to commit crime. Much of the sociological work relating to young people and offending is known as ‘subcultural theory’. It includes research into youth groups who have their own set of norms and values. It is also worth noting that most of these groups also happen to be male and working class.

Question 2

Conclusion

Answer 2

Sub-cultural theory is overwhelmingly male sub-cultural theory. The assumptions underlying the vast bulk of the writings we have looked at within this tradition have been discussing masculine behaviour. However, as Collison points out, they may well have missed the significance of this. In order to explain male offending behaviour, it is important to explain the nature of being male in our society and what links masculinity itself has to crime.