Why young people participate in deviant subcultures (Marxist and Neo Marxist) Flashcards
(20 cards)
What do Marxists state about working class youth and delinquency?
Working class youth are more likely to commit delinquent acts due to their marginalised place in society.
What do Marxists state about official statistics on working class youth and delinquency?
Official statistics can be bias as WC youth are more likely to be blamed and pinpointed by police and society
What is the issue of protest?
Marxists see delinquency as protest disguised from the working class against capitalism as the system creates class and status inequalities and they lack opportunities so feel resentment.
What do marxists believe is the most likely delinquent act in protest of capitalism?
Stealing to gain money, venting frustration by graffiti and vandalism of the local community. Is resistance through rituals and a way of youth symbolising resistance to capitalist society. A way for youth to refuse to accept their subordinate position in society
[Gap Fill] Delinquency ____ ___ challenge ____________ society directly. It might be a nuisance for society rather than a political opposition to powerful groups.
Delinquency does not challenge capitalist society directly. It might be a nuisance for society rather than a political opposition to powerful groups.
What is the idea of Scapegoating by marxism?
Delinquency is often aimed at easy targets in society, who can be blamed for the working classes weak position
What do marxists think youths should do instead of scapegoating?
They should blame the politicians, rather than picking on certain groups of society
What are the disadvantages of Marxist theories of delinquent subcultures such as scapegoating and the issue of protest?
- Outdated - Hobbs (1988) disagrees - Feminists criticise
How are marxist theories of delinquent subcultures outdated?
too much emphasis on “spectacular subcultures” which are not prominent today, instead from a postmodern perspective, we have neo-tribes and other alternative subcultures
Why does Hobbs (1988) criticise the marxist perspective of deviant subcultures?
He found that skinheads were more interested in fashion than in solving class struggle, so another explanation for the attractions of these subcultures is that they were fun rather than political.
Why do feminists criticise marxists theories of delinquent subcultures.
They ignore the role of females in subcultures as they are now taking more of an active role in subcultures. A study conducted by Blackman (1998) focused on “The New Wave girls”
What do Neo-marxists say about delinquent behaviour?
They saw deviant behaviour of young males in subcultures as a form of resistance against society’s control, and a reaction to their identity being threatened in relation to territory
Which neo-marxist sociologists came up with three main explanations for youth deviance?
Lea and Young (left realists)
What do Lea and Young think the three main explanations for youth deviance are?
(MRS), Marginalisation, Relative deprivation and Subculture
How do Lea and Young see marginalisation as an explanation for youth deviance?
Young people feel pushed to the edges of society and lack organised means to voice this. Young people are likely to be marginalised since they lack power, rights and respect and this can lead to frustration
How do Lea and Young see relative deprivation as an explanation for youth deviance?
The rise of media has led to increased feelings of relative deprivation and youths may feel more deprived as they have less freedom and are more influenced by the media
How do Lea and Young see subculture as an explanation for youth deviance?
The experience of relative deprivation and marginalisation may lead young people to form subcultures to help them deal with feelings of frustration. They may develop lifestyles involving shared norms and values which might become deviant.
What is the disadvantage of Neo-Marxist theories of deviant subcultures?
- Feminists criticise it for ignoring gender
What are the advantages of Neo-Marxist theories of deviant subcultures?
- Supported for being more updated than traditional Marxism - Would be supported by interactionist and labelling theory
Why do interactionists support Neo marxist ideas of delinquency?
Interactionist theory would agree that the media can increase the marginalisation that young people feel in society, especially poor, young black males who were seen as folk devils in research conducted by Hall
