According to Siegel (2013) Albert Cohen developed the theory of delinquent subcultures in his classic 1995 book, Delinquent Boys. Cohen believes that the delinquent behavior of lower class youth actually goes against the norms and values of middle-class U. S. culture. These youths experience what he calls status frustration due to social conditions that enable them to achieve success legitimately. As a result of this social conflict the youths join gangs and become involved in behavior that is “nonutilitarian, malicious, and negativistic. This gang subculture possesses a value system directly opposed to that of the larger society. Their norms of society are completely opposite. Their conduct is right by the standards of their subculture because it is wrong by the norms of the larger culture. According to Cohen, the development of the delinquent subculture is a consequence of socialization practices found in the ghetto or inner-city environment. Cohen suggests that lower-class parents are not able to teach their children the necessary skills for entering the dominant middle-class culture. As a result these youths lack basic skills needed to achieve social and economic success in the demanding U. S. society. Apart from proper rearing they also lack education needed to build a solid knowledge or socialization foundation. Some of the consequences of these deprivations include developmental handicaps, poor speech and communication skills, and inability to delay gratification (Siegel, 2013). The middle-class measuring rods are the standards set by authority figures such as teachers, employers, or supervisors. One of the primary causes of delinquency is the failure of these youths to positively impress these authority figures and meet th... ... middle of paper ... ...2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. < http://global.christianpost.com/news/protesters-occupy-wall-street-to-rally-against-corporate-america-55853/ >. Horsley, Scott. "The Income Gap: Unfair, Or Are We Just Jealous?" NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. < http://www.npr.org/2012/01/14/145213421/the-income-gap-unfair-or-are-we-just-jealous >. "Income Inequality in America The 99 Percent." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. < http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/10/income-inequality-america?page=1Income >. Siegel, L. "Victims and Victimization." Criminiology Theories, Patterns, & Typologies. 11th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2013. Print Valdez, M. "Occupy Protests Move to Foreclosed Homes." Yahoo Finance. Yahoo Finance, 6 Dec. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. < http://finance.yahoo.com/news/occupy-protests-move-foreclosed-homes-222757553.html >.
The U.S. has the highest income gap between the wealthiest and poorest in the industrial world, which is approximately 12 to 1. In 2004, the affluent experienced a wage increase by 12%, whereas the 99% of average income makers saw an increase of 1%.
Victimology is the scientific study of the physical, emotional, and financial harm people suffer from illegal activities. A common struggle Victimologists face is determining who the victim is. In general, crimes don 't have an “ideal victim”. The term ideal victims refer to someone who receives the most sympathy from society (Christie, 2016). An example of this would be a hardworking, honest man who on his way to work, had his wallet taken by force. Most people in society would have sympathy for him. He spent his life making an honest living to earn what he has and was a victim of a robbery. Victimologists study the interactions victims have with criminals, society, and the criminal justice system (Karmen, 2015). According to (Karmen, 2015)
Rugaber, Chistropher S., and Josh Boak. "Excite News - Wealth Gap: A Guide to What It Is, Why It Matters." Excite News - Wealth Gap: A Guide to What It Is, Why It Matters. Associated Press, 27 Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Throughout the years, “ U.S income inequality has been increasing steadily since the 1970s and now has reached levels not seen since 1928” (Source A).
Across the wide body of studies delving into delinquency in America, it is easy to locate research on and analysis of minorities, underprivileged socioeconomic urban centers, and turbulent family structures. However, this leaves a significant section of the delinquent population largely neglected: white middle-class youth. Contrary to the factors shown to affect delinquency in others and the applications of theory applied to them, the issues plaguing this particular portion of adolescents are in many cases entirely unique, suggesting the necessity of a more nuanced approach from angles that have up until fairly recently remained unexplored.
Laub, John H., and Robert J. Sampson 2003. Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives: Delinquent Boys to Age 70. Cambridge, Harvard University Press.
"The Poverty Of Equality." American Spectator 45.3 (2012): 26-30. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Wilhelm, Heather “The Great Income Inequality Sham” Real Clear Politics. May 2013. Web. 29 Apr 2014.
Daly, Kathleen, Goldsmith, Andrew, and Israel, Mark. 2006, Crime and Justice: A guide to criminology, third addition, Thomson, Lawbook Co.
Lyons, Christopher J. 2006. “Stigma or Sympathy? Attributions of Fault to Hate Crime Victims and Offenders.” American Sociological Association. 69:39-59
Lilly, Robert J., Francis T. Cullen, and Richard A. Ball. 2011. Criminological Theory: Context And Consequences. 5th ed. California: SAGE.
If I had to describe a moment from INEQUALITY FOR ALL that is really sticking with you – maybe you found it particularly inspiring or particularly troubling it would be the statement made by Robert Reich, “Of all developed nations the U.S. has the most unequal distribution of income.” What was it about that moment that is so memorable? He also states, “the richest 400 people in America have more wealth then the bottom 50 million of us put together.”
Cohen used the dominant knowledge of the anomie theory but narrowed its emphasis on this precise subculture and particularized it in order to clarify the features of gang delinquency. Comparable to Merton and Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin (1960) tried to clarify why certain individuals or groups are more likely to involve in criminal activities. They contended that people are strained when they fail to attain financial achievement through legitimate means. Cloward and Ohlin remained in approval of the thought that adolescents from a lower-class demographic are driven by the pursuit of position and that forming their own subculture is a solution to not being able to adjust to their dominant cultural values (Cloward &ump; Ohlin,
A critical issue, perhaps most injurious to our futures, involves the criminal tendencies of our youth. Juvenile delinquency is without a doubt one of the most crucial topics that we face in our society today. Children and teens do not only shape our future, but will also pave the footsteps for future generations. What prompts this criminal behavior? And why is the proportion of delinquents in society seemingly increasing? As we will see, many factors play a role in molding personality; these factors include gender, family, and schools.
Thompson, W. E. and Bynum J. E. (2010). Juvenile Delinquency: A sociological Approach Eighth Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.