Albert Cohen, Sub-cultural theory for delinquency sub-culture
1955
Sub-cultural theory
Explains juvenile delinquency and adult crime in terms of the values of a particular sub-culture
Sub-cultural theory
Delinquency is carried out by groups rather than individuals
Young people learn to become delinquents by joining gangs where delinquent behaviour is the norm
Delinquency involves being part of a delinquent sub-culture among boys' gangs in urban neighbourhoods of large cities
Working-class boys experience status frustration
From failing to meet middle-class expectations at school
Being part of a delinquent sub-culture
Enables these boys to gain status within their group and reject the school system that branded them as failures
Cohen linked juvenile delinquency to the education system, arguing that schools are based on middle-class values and expectations which working-class boys cannot compete on equal terms with middle-class boys to get status and qualifications through education
Criticisms of Cohen
Cohen's analysis shows a middle-class bias
Cohen assumes that working-class delinquency starts out by accepting middle-class aspirations such as educational success
Cohen focuses on delinquent boys in gangs, feminists argue how far his explanation applies to girls
