2 - c+d - edgework/peer groups

• Lower classes have distinct values passed through generations and actively encouraged young men to break the law
• Focal Concerns

  • Toughness (courage, assault)
  • Street Smarts (conning)
  • Excitement (gambling, alcohol)
• Gill study (1977)


  • Supported Miller - residents in a working class area didn't believe it was wrong to commit crimes
• Miller (1962) working class subculture


  Delinquency is a result of an exaggerated conformity to the focal concerns of the lower-class subculture
• Seductions of crime and Edgework


  Katz and Lyng (1980s-90s) criticises rational choice theory as crime is not always rational, it is done for emotional reasons. They argue crime is about edgework - flirting with the boundaries of what's acceptable because it's exciting. They argue right realism don’t understand crime.
• Underclass


  Seen as typical offenders and found in areas where likelihood of being a victim is highest. Seen as more 'criminal' so are policed more and arrested more. Working class statistics are higher because of this and middle-class magistrates use prejudice in court as they see working class offenders fitting the preconcieved notion of a 'criminal'.