This adapts to the strain theory arguing that crime is a result of people joining peer groups or subcultures that are likely to engage in deviant activities. These subcultures share their own sets of ideas disconnected from mainstream ideologies. This occurs because the strains are resolved when they join a subculture and gain a sense of identity, status and approval.
Albert Cohen- He found that boys especially W/C largely suffer from it. This is because of cultural deprivation so they enter deviant subcultures where there are people in the same situation that understand their strain. The theory builds on Merton’s strain theory as it argues that Merton’s theory forgets that a large amount of crime is committed in groups especially by the young. Cohen’s studies also argue Merton’s theory largely ignores crimes such as assault and vandalism which can have no economic motive.
Cloward and Ohlin- They take Merton’s ideas as a starting point. They agree that the W/C youths are denied legitimate opportunities to gain “money success”. However, not everyone in this situation turns it innovation such as through utilarian crimes such as theft. They argue that their deviance stems from how they respond to their situations. They identify 3 types of subcultures:
· Criminal Subcultures- Career in crime, gang turf/drug trafficking.
· Conflict Subcultures- Protecting gang turf/having conflict with other subcultures.
· Retreastist Subcultures- Subcultures likely to take drugs to escape the strain of life.
Gordon- However explains that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and is likely to occur amongst these groups who retaliate being aware of their strains and deprivation.
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