Structural Explanations for Delinquency

1. Structural Explanations for Delinquency

2. Defining Structural Theories • Characteristic features of structural theories • Focus on rates of crime rather than why individuals commit crime • Crime rates are explained in terms of the structural features of society • Two broad types of structural theories • Strain Theory • Cultural Deviance Theory

3. Structural Theories I: Strain Theory

4. Strain Theory Economic Inequality Delinquency

5. Historical Foundation of Strain Theory The Legacy of Emile Durkheim • Two themes dominate Durkheim’s work on crime • The normality of crime • Crime and anomie

6. Robert Merton • Robert King Merton is one of the most influential sociologists in the field of criminology • At age 27, (1938) he wrote a definitive article entitled “Social Structure and Anomie” • This article still serves as an anchor in our understanding of delinquency

7. Social Structure and Anomie Merton’s theory of “anomie” stressed two structural conditions: The interaction of these conditions produce five adaptive responses:

8. Differential Opportunity Theory • This theory was developed by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin • Agree with Merton that not everyone has equal access to social rewards, producing strain • However, suggest that there is also an “illegitimate” opportunity structure with differential opportunities there as well. • Failure to succeed in either the legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structure results in “double failure.” Lloyd Ohlin

9. Differential Opportunity’s Three Subcultural Responses • Criminal Subculture • Occurs in neighborhoods where there are adult criminal role models • Here, the delinquent youth succeeds in the illegitimate opportunity structure • Conflict Subculture • Adult role models are not available for successful crime • Delinquent youth becomes angry and engages in violent crime • Retreatist Subculture • Adult role models are not available for successful crime • Rather than angry retaliation, the youth withdraws or retreats, typically into a world of drug use.

10. Cohen’s Subcultural Strain Theory • Cohen suggests that one of the central problems in life is conforming to social expectations. • Since these expectations are largely determined by the middle class, Cohen calls these “middle class measuring rods.” • The lower class has a much more difficult time in conformity than the middle class. • For lower class youth, the context for this difficulty is typically the school. • Lower class youth are confronted by “status frustration,” and turn to other youth for solutions. • For Cohen, this is the genesis of the delinquent gang.

11. Cohen’s Adaptive Responses to Status Frustration • Corner Boy Response • Youth psychologically disengages from MC goals and accepts more humble goals • This is the most common lower class response • College Boy Response • Lower class youth accepts the MC challenge and competes for MC goals • Involves a rupture in his relationship with LC friends, a cost • Delinquent Subculture Response • Involves a direct repudiation of MC values in the form of delinquency • Characteristics of the delinquent subculture • Non-utilitarian • Malicious • Negativistic