Functionalist & Subcultural theories

• Durkheim's functionalist theory says that crime is necessary for a functioning society. Crime and order are linked, not opposites, and punishment is a warning for the rest of society.
• Durkheim argued that crime was functional for social order in 3 different ways:

  It can reaffirm social boundaries, with zero tolerance policing etc.

  Change and reform. Jack Kevorkian (136 assisted deaths) filmed himself injecting lethal substances to challenge the law.

  Strengthen social cohesion
• Some of Durkheim's key points include: crime is inevitable as not everyone is equally committed to the same social goals. Crime is only dysfunctional if the rates are too high or too low. If collective sentiments are too strong, nothing will change (for example). Other theories suggest that crimes can serve actual purpose: Davis argues that prostitution releases men's sexual frustrations as not to ruin the nuclear family.
• A strength of Durkheim is that it was the first theory to acknowledge the functions and benefits of crime in a society.
• A limitation of Durkheim is that it is relatively reductionist and unspecific. He claims that a certain level of criminality is needed, but doesn't specify how much. This also leads to limited applicability.
• Durkheim's theory is flawed as crime may be functional for some - but certainly isn't for the victims.
• ANOMIE (according to Merton's functionalist theory): Working class people are more likely to have their opportunities blocked and will therefore experience feelings of strain or loss of shared norms and values. They then have a choice.
• According to Merton, there are conformists (able to achieve through legitimate means), innovators (illegitimate means), ritualists (who give up and continue where they are at), retreatists (who reject both goals and means, such as 'drunkards') and rebels (who create their own norms and values).
• Merton strength: Shows how both normal and deviant behaviours arise from the same goals.
• Merton strength: explains the patterns shown in official statistics - property crime most common
• Merton limitation: Ignores the crimes of the wealthy and over-represents those of the working class.
• Merton limitation: sees deviance solely as an individual response, ignoring group deviance of delinquent subcultures.
• Merton limitation: focus on utilitarian crime, and neglects those that don't have financial gain, such as rape.
• Subcultural theories - Cohen sees subcultures as group response to failure, not an individual one, focusing on non-utilitarian crimes (such as vandalism).
• Cohen sees that most working class boys end up in bottom sets, labelled as 'thick' or 'naughty'. This can lead to the development of status frustration.
• Cohen says that those in a state of status frustration will join subcultures that flip society's norms and values on their heads, so that they get praise for what turns out to be more delinquent acts.
• Cloward and Ohlin categorised subcultures into 3 different types.

  Criminal subcultures: longstanding professional criminal network.

  Conflict subcultures: street gangs, violence provides release of anger and enforcement of status.

  Retreatist subcultures: dropouts who have failed at both legitimate and illegitimate means of success.
• Subculture strength: subcultures provide function for those needing praise, and who have been rejected from society. Potential application.
• Subculture strength: Cloward and Ohlin see how different types of neighbourhood give rise to different criminal behaviours; allows for application of enforcement of the law.
• Subculture limitations: ignore crimes of the wealthy
• Subculture limitation: everyone starts with the same goals, but what about criminals who are drawn to crime for other reasons? What if someone is inspired to be like a criminal, or doesn't put any effort or attention into key institutions such as school?
• Subculture limitation: there is a blurred line between the three subculture categories. Some show signs of all three
• Crime control and punishment policies work by reducing poverty through better welfare benefits and wages, providing equal opportunities in school, and providing education in prison (half of UK prisoners have a reading age of 11).
• Crime control and punishment policies seem to be relatively effective/ Societies that spend more on welfare jail fewer people (but is that because less funding goes to the police?). Those countries with greater inequality have greater crime rates.