Theories of crime and deviance: sub-cultural

Introduction to Subcultural Theories of Crime and Deviance

Subcultural theories of crime and deviance focus on the role of subculture and group membership in the genesis of deviant behaviour.
A subculture is typically described as a group that shares different norms and values from the mainstream society, often due to their unique circumstances and experiences.

Key Perspectives within Subcultural Theories

Albert Cohen’s subcultural theory argues that crime is a response to the inability of people, especially lower-class youths, to achieve mainstream society’s goals.
Cloward and Ohlin theorised that three types of delinquent subcultures exist: criminal, conflict, and retreatist. Each would form based on the varying accessibility of legal and illegal means to achieve societal goals.
Walter Miller’s focal concerns theory suggests that lower-class society has different priorities than the mainstream, leading to forms of deviant behaviour that are distinctive of their subculture.
The Birmingham School (Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies) believed that youth subcultures form as a resistance towards the dominant culture, each with distinctive styles that symbolize this resistance.

Critiques of Subcultural Theories

Critics argue these theories place too much emphasis on the social class experience in shaping subcultures, overlooking other factors like ethnicity and gender.
Some challenge the assumption that subcultural norms are homogeneous within identified subcultures, arguing instead for individual agency and variance within the groups.

Subcultural Theories and Gang Culture

Gang involvement is often explained by subcultural theories wherein the gang serves as an alternative supportive subculture for those feeling marginalised by mainstream society.
However, critics argue against the danger of overgeneralisation, as not all individuals in deprived circumstances join gangs, and not all those in gangs are from deprived backgrounds.

Conclusion

While Subcultural theories offer an interesting insight into group behaviour dynamics, it’s crucial to remember their limitations and potential biases.
The interplay between substantial societal forces, individual agency, and group norms emphasised in these theories provides a comprehensive analysis of crime and deviance within subcultures. But it simultaneously highlights the need for a diversified understanding, considering other factors contributing to deviance, like ethnicity, gender, and geographical location.