Assess the usefulness of subcultural theories in understanding crime & deviance

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Assess the usefulness of subcultural theories in understanding crime & deviance

There are a number of sociological theories, which strive to understand a cause for crime and deviance. Subcultural theorists posit the idea that there is nothing "wrong " with criminals and those who commit deviant acts. Instead, they advocate an alternative set of values or a "subculture".

The first theorist to use the idea of subculture is Albert Cohen (1955). Cohen was of the belief that "status frustration" is the motive behind delinquent acts. This means that those who feel looked down upon and those who feel that they are denied social status. Thus, they formulate their own dissimilar set of values, as a kind of alternative route to gaining status.

Secondly, Cloward and Ohlin (1961) suggest that there is an illegitimate opportunity structure, which runs parallel to the legal one. It operates on three levels; criminal subculture; conflict subculture; and retreatist subculture. This structure is a response to the lack of opportunities available for certain members of society. These are unwarranted routes to gain social status. However, Cloward and Ohlin do maintain that certain people do sustain legitimate lifestyles.

The interactionist, Jock