Illegitimate Opportunity Structures

• Who developed the concept of Illegitimate Opportunity Structures?

  Cloward and Ohlin
• What did Cloward and Ohlin aim to combine in their theory?

  Theories of Merton and Cohen
• What is the term for socially-acceptable means to achieving social goals according to Merton?

  Legitimate opportunity structure
• What alternative structure did Cloward and Ohlin identify?

  Illegitimate opportunity structure
• How does Cloward and Ohlin's theory relate to Merton's concept of strain?

  Both discuss access to opportunity structures
• Why might some individuals not find a criminal path to wealth?

  Not all have access to existing criminal subcultures
• What factors influence the types of subcultures available to individuals?

  Location and existing criminal subcultures
• What do Cloward and Ohlin suggest about those blocked from legitimate opportunities?

  Not all turn to crime
• How do Cloward and Ohlin's subcultures relate to drug use?

  Drug use often intersects with criminal gangs
• What is a limitation of Cloward and Ohlin's theory regarding subcultures?

  They do not identify three distinct subcultures
• What demographic do Cloward and Ohlin primarily focus on in their theory?

  Working-class males
• What broader issues do Cloward and Ohlin fail to address?

  Social class and gender issues
• What question do Cloward and Ohlin not explore regarding working-class youths?

  Why they are denied access to legitimate structures
• How do Cloward and Ohlin's theories relate to girls and crime?

  They do not explain girls' reactions to denied access