SOC 2700 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Shoplifting, Richard Cloward

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Stephanie Howells

Document Summary

Subculture theories --the studying of gang delinquency and delinquent subcultures: during the 1950s the segregation between classes was apparent. The middle-class believed that they were better than the lower class. This control exists due to organized crime members residing within the community with their own families. Therefore, out of frustration of being unable to better their social status, lower class individuals create a subculture that helps them cope with the failings" to compete with upper class individuals ie the delinquent/gang subculture. Delinquent subculture is the one that provides the nonutilitarian, malicious and negativistic character of gang delinquency. The individuals in this setting feel that they can achieve status through doing what they do best ie being tough and standing up for themselves. The strains that result from social disorganization/differential social organization creates a common and shared situation for many lower class individuals. The more one interacts with the deviant subculture the more they will develop deviant behaviour.