...The classification of Goth as a subculture in society The subject matter of this essay will aim to show that the group known as Goth, is indeed a subculture in society. This essay will demonstrate that this group has its own individual values and norms, separate to that of mainstream society and how it has managed to reinvent itself inside and against mainstream society since it emerged during the 1980's. I have chosen to pick Goths for this essay as they have managed to last as a subculture in many countries worldwide and in my view have successfully distinguished themselves from the dominant culture in society. This essay will try to define what the group is, it will explain what a subculture is and how Goths are a part of that subculture, and it will outline and explain the concept of values with respect to the Goth group while differentiating those values between the gothic subculture and the dominant culture in society. Through norms, dress, language and artifacts it will also show why Goths should indeed be classed as a subculture, separate to that of mainstream society, as they have identified themselves as a subculture through symbols and nineteenth century gothic literature influences as well as contemporary imagery and style through horror films (Hodkinson 2002). The concept of subcultures can be traced back to Frederic Thrashers work on Chicago gangs, when he identified that the gang had its own distinct traditions, morals and their own structure as a group which...
Words: 1864 - Pages: 8
...1) Prohibition * 2) Decriminalization * 3) Legalization * 4) Medicalization * 5) Harm Reduction * For Legalization: (short answer) * Policies creating more harm than drugs * Legalize so they don’t have to commit criminal acts * So many people are using it, should be legalized * Failed to reduce use and addiction * Prohibition has negative health consequences * Reduced drug price reduced violence * Crime would decrease less crowded courts and jails * Focus too much on illegal drugs focus on legal drugs * Against Legalization: * Alcohol has history of social acceptance in US * Prohibition is affective against illicit drugs * Legalization of drugs increases consumption increase in overdose and death * How come crack involves higher level of violence than cocaine if less expensive drugs results in less crime? * If legalized more people will start using drugs * Good Country Policies (essay question) * England: * Marijuana is not prescribed for medical use * Prescribe heroin for heroin addicts * Reach out to people to get treatment through the Justice System * When you want help you get help * Portugal: * Jail time replaced with treatment * People caught with small amount sent to a panel * Decriminalization decline illegal drugs, HIV, people seeking treatment doubled ...
Words: 937 - Pages: 4
...and part b) is for 15 marks. You should spend 30 minuets on this question. • Q.3 is a theories essay for 33 marks. THIS QUESTION IS SYNOPTIC! You should spend 45 minuets on this question. Below is a list of all the areas and studies you need to know for each section of the exam. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the studies, each college/school are likely to teach slightly different ones, just make sure you know about that amount for each section. Q.1 For the first two pure crime parts you need to know: Functionalist theories of crime and deviance Durkheim – Social control, social regulation including suicide Merton-Strain theory, blocked aspirations Cohen – Status frustration Cloward and Ohlin – Deviant subcultures New Right/Right Realism James Wilson – Strict law enforcement needed Wilson and Kelling – Broken windows, zero tolerance Murray – Cultural deprivation, single parents and ineffective, the underclass Erdos – Families without fathers Subcultural theories Cohen – Delinquent subcultures Cloward and Ohlin – Delinquency and opportunity, criminal, conflict and retreatist subcultures Willis – pupil subcultures (learning to labour) Patrick – Gang culture (Glasgow gangs) Humphreys – Gay subcultures and covert participant observation Miller – Focal concerns, lower working class male subculture Matza – Delnquency and drift, techniques of neutralisation, subterranean values Marxist theories...
Words: 2001 - Pages: 9
...“Culture Of Violence” Artie Swift Kaplan University CJ333: Family and Domestic Violence Unit 3 Essay Professor Michael Pozesny 12/30/2013 There are several theories that can explain why domestic violence is committed. First you have to take a look into what domestic violence is and how the law relates to a theory to best describe why the domestic violence occurs and how violence or aggressive behavior is involved in the abuse of a spouse or partner. Many people that are the abusers might have a history of violence, they threaten people with violence, they might have abrupt mood changes with abuse to alcohol and drug abuse contributing to their anger. The best theory to help define domestic violence is “The Culture of Violence” playing a huge roll in shaping our youth train of thought to understand what is now acceptable in society. The culture of violence theory states that violence occurs at all levels of the social ladder and is looked at as means to straighten out a conflict. The subculture follows a set of "conduct norms", which are rules governing "the various ways in which a person might act under certain circumstances . . . the violation of which arouses a group reaction" (Wolfgang & Ferracuti, 1967: 101). The culture of violence theory considers violence and force to be used in a clash of differences between the aggressor and the potential victim. The theory believes that in order to stop an enraged male from beating on a woman on a continuous bases he...
Words: 1179 - Pages: 5
...Is the formation of gangs linked to the strains set out by Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin? Might other explanations explain this phenomenon better? Discuss Theorists have been and for a long time interested in trying to explain why people commit crimes and violence and whether people have the choice and choose to commit crime (Classical theory) or it is in their genes (positivists theory). In 1897 Durkheim in concentrated his efforts to understand society and was investigating social facts. In his book Suicide (1897) Durkheim explained the anomie concept where he outlined the causes of suicide and described a condition or malaise in individuals, characterized by an absence or diminution of standards or values and an associated feeling of alienation and purposelessness. According to Thompson 1984, Durkheim felt that his empirical study of suicide had discovered the structural forces that caused anomie and egoism, and these forces were natural results of the decline of mechanical solidarity and the slow rise of organic solidarity due to the division of labour and industrialism. Also of importance was Durkheim's discovery that these forces affected all social classes. A major figure in the development of Criminal theories is Robert K. Merton. He introduced his social theory of deviance first in 1938 and extended and revised it in 1957. Merton argued that individuals in different social class positions in the social structure do not possess the same opportunity of realizing the shared...
Words: 2523 - Pages: 11
...Chapter 1 What is sociology? * Seeks to explain, describe, and predict human behavior * Not concerned with individual human beings * Concerned with human beings in reaction to other human beings * Puts emphasis on group behavior (two or more people) (small group/large groups) * Looks at group social interaction, social behavior an influence of social structures on people How old is sociology? 200 years Why did sociology (as social science develop)? Who was the founding father of sociology? Main contributions of Sociology Early Auguste compte: Founding father of sociology, coined the word sociology How is Sociology different from other social sciences? Emile Durkheim: influenced development of functionalism 4 types of suicide by Durkheim: Egoistic: Mentally ill, lonely, social outcast, depression Altruistic: Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers, cult members, obligation to the group, Fatalistic: Inmates, elderly, terminally ill, hopelessness Anomic: Anyone who cant deal with chaos, such as stock market crash or 1929-Insecurity Anomie: When society’s norms are questions, much social change, Society is rapidly changing Institutions are weakened, family, religion. Gender norms are questioned; values and belief systems are questioned Theory of structural functionalism 1 If a structure exists in society its because its functional, the social structure exists because it works Social structures: anything...
Words: 2927 - Pages: 12
...According to official statistics, there are significant ethnic differences in the likelihood of being involved in the criminal justice system. Specifically, black people are over-represented in the system. In this essay I will talk about the reasons for these differences. One of the reasons for the differences in crime statistics is put forward but left realists Lea and Young (1993), they argue that the statistics do, in fact, reflect real life differences. Left realists see crime as the product of relative deprivation, subcultures and marginalisation. They argue that racism has led to the marginalisation and economic exclusion of ethnic minorities, who face higher levels of unemployment, poverty and poor housing. This means that these minorities then get things they cannot usually get by illegitimate means. Delinquent subcultures are made especially by young unemployed black males; this produces higher levels of utilitarian crime, such as theft and robbery, as a means of coping with relative deprivation. Furthermore, because these groups are marginalised and have no organisations to represent their interests, their frustration is liable to produce non-utilitarian crime, such as violence and rioting. Lea and Young also acknowledge that the police often act in racist ways and that this results in the unjustified criminalisation of some members of minority groups. However, 90% of crimes are reported by the public, not police, therefore it is unlikely that the police do not...
Words: 818 - Pages: 4
...Crime and Deviance Revision SCLY 4: Crime and Deviance with Methods in Context Sociology Department Greenhead College SCLY 4: Crime and Deviance with Methods in Context Remember: You have to revise everything, because you have no choice on the exam paper. The specification 1 Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control * Different definitions of crime, deviance, social order and social control * The distinction between sociological theories of crime and other theories (eg biological, psychological); crime and deviance as socially constructed * Functionalist theories of crime: Durkheim, anomie, collective conscience; Merton’s strain theory; manifest and latent functions; functionalist subcultural theories * Marxist and neo-Marxist theories of crime: classical Marxism, laws reflecting class interests; Neo-Marxism, hegemony, the CCCS studies, critical and new criminology * Interactionist theories of crime: labelling theory, the self-fulfilling prophecy * Feminist theories of crime: patriarchy, male control of women’s lives * Control theory and other contemporary approaches to crime: social bonds, communitarianism, situational prevention; postmodern theories; Foucault on individualisation and surveillance * Realist theories: New Left Realism and Right Realism * The relevance of the various theories to understanding different types of crime, and their implications for social policy. 2 The social distribution...
Words: 25825 - Pages: 104
...Crime and Deviance Revision SCLY 4: Crime and Deviance with Methods in Context Sociology Department Greenhead College SCLY 4: Crime and Deviance with Methods in Context Remember: You have to revise everything, because you have no choice on the exam paper. The specification 1 Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control * Different definitions of crime, deviance, social order and social control * The distinction between sociological theories of crime and other theories (eg biological, psychological); crime and deviance as socially constructed * Functionalist theories of crime: Durkheim, anomie, collective conscience; Merton’s strain theory; manifest and latent functions; functionalist subcultural theories * Marxist and neo-Marxist theories of crime: classical Marxism, laws reflecting class interests; Neo-Marxism, hegemony, the CCCS studies, critical and new criminology * Interactionist theories of crime: labelling theory, the self-fulfilling prophecy * Feminist theories of crime: patriarchy, male control of women’s lives * Control theory and other contemporary approaches to crime: social bonds, communitarianism, situational prevention; postmodern theories; Foucault on individualisation and surveillance * Realist theories: New Left Realism and Right Realism * The relevance of the various theories to understanding different types of crime, and their implications for social policy. 2 The social distribution...
Words: 25825 - Pages: 104
...depression of the less fortunate population. The US government also does an insufficient job on providing direct services to its citizens. This is the only capitalist country in the world that the government does not provide universal health care or insurance for all of its individuals. The United States political system is referred to as “liberal democratic”. Representatives for individuals are elected and the US has civil rights including things like freedom of association, speech, and religion. American democracy has many unique aspects including, federalism, divided powers and a presidential system, money in politics, and the media in politics. Pluralism and tolerance is represented by an assortment of subcultures within the US. Diversity among these subcultures is very apparent and most citizens have learned to tolerate this diversity and believe it is a good thing. Individualism is also apparent. Americans value freedom and individual independence more than the overall welfare of society’s population. Commercialism and consumerism is also an important element of American society because material items have become a sign of high status. If the United States were a just society every individual would have a functional role to play. These roles would be solely based on his or her highest level of strengths as well as weaknesses, while also taking into consideration their personal likes and dislikes. Each citizen would take part in all of the decision-making that would...
Words: 1448 - Pages: 6
...Legalizing Prostitution BCOM/275 September 17, 2012 Betty Bernstein Legalizing Prostitution Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and is a touchy subject for many because it is filled with vagueness’s and double standards. Even the very definition of the word is perplexed now days. Along with the new definition in Webster it’s really hard to figure out exactly what makes prostitution illegal. According to ProCon.org (2012), “We generally think of the transfer of money as the element that makes prostitution a crime (although money plays a subtle part in all sorts of sexual relationships). Yet in a number of states, as well as in Webster's newest dictionary, the definition of prostitution includes not only the exchange of money but also the rather vague concept of promiscuity... for example, forbid[ding] both getting paid for sex and the offering of the body for indiscriminate sexual intercourse without hire.” In the article entitled “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution and a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution” the author, Janice G. Raymond expounds on the topic of prostitution and reasons not to legalize the profession. The article is very informative and brings up some valid points and evidence to support her theories. Two of the reasons that were listed in the article lacked credibility, reliability, and validity. The reason in the article that Raymond lacked these things was reason number six, which basically stated that she interviewed...
Words: 850 - Pages: 4
...Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the claim that gender differences in educational achievement are primarily ‘the result of changes in wider society’ (30 marks) Girls have rapidly improved, compared to boys, in terms of educational achievement, as Item A states, since the 1980’s. In Key Stages 1-3, girls consistently do better than boys in writing subjects such as English; at GCSE, girls are 10 percentage more likely than boys to achieve five or more A*-C grades; at AS/A-level, girls are more likely to get higher grades. Additionally, at each stage of a pupil’s education, the gap gets narrower. Therefore, more girls go into higher education. However, this is not the case for boys as there are in changes in the both the education system and wider society. As item A suggests, there are many external factors resulting in gender differences in educational achievement. One factor is the impact of Feminism. Since the 1960’s, feminists have challenged patriarchy by creating the ‘Feminist Movement’. This has help to improve the rights of women, as well as raise expectations and the self-esteem of women. Although many would agree that true equality with males has not yet been achieved, women have now started to reject the traditional stereotypes of women such as the ‘mother and housewife role’. For example, in McRobbie’s study of girls’ magazines shows how girls view of themselves have changed. She found that in the 1970’s, girls emphasised the importance of getting married...
Words: 1592 - Pages: 7
...Examining Theory Criminology CJS/231 June 27, 2016 Examining Theory Within this essay I will talk about social structure theory related to the video of Pelican Bay State Prison: War Zone. Social structure theory is a theory that a person’s place in the socioeconomic structure influences their chances of becoming a criminal. Social structure theories “These theories look at the formal and informal economic and social arrangements (or structure) of society as the root causes of crime and deviance” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). There are three major principles of sociological theories they are: Social disorganization, strain theory, culture conflict theory. Social disorganization “(which depicts social change, social conflict, and lack of social consensus as the root causes of crime and deviance) is closely associated with the ecological school of criminology” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Strain theory is “which depicts delinquency as a form of adaptive problem-solving behavior committed in response to problems involving frustrating and undesirable social environments” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Cultural conflict theory is “which suggests that the root cause of criminality can be found in a clash of values between differently socialized groups over what is acceptable or proper behavior.” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Within this essay I will examine the structure that influences the prisoners to commit more crime within the prison...
Words: 1734 - Pages: 7
...SEE HOW WE CAN HELP Outline labelling theory and consider its usefulness in understanding youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Britain today. Outline labelling theory and consider its usefulness in understanding youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Britain today. Labelling theory claims that deviance and conformity results not so much from what people do but from how others respond to those actions, it highlights social responses to crime and deviance Macionis and Plummer, (2005).Deviant behaviour is therefore socially constructed. This essay will describe in full the labelling theory and comment on the importance of the theory to the deviant behaviour of the youth and the anti-social behaviour of the youth in Britain today. The labelling theory becomes dominant in the early 1960s and the late 1970s when it was used as a sociological theory of crime influential in challenging orthodox positivity criminology. The key people to this theory were Becker and Lement.The foundations of this view of deviance are said to have been first established by Lement, (1951) and were subsequently developed by Becker, (1963).As a matter of fact the labelling theory has subsequently become a dominant paradigm in the explanation of devience.The symbolic interaction perspective was extremely active in the early foundations of the labelling theory. The labelling theory is constituted by the assumption that deviant behaviour is to be seen not simply as the violation of a norm but...
Words: 2208 - Pages: 9
...Outline labelling theory and consider its usefulness in understanding youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Britain today. Labelling theory claims that deviance and conformity results not so much from what people do but from how others respond to those actions, it highlights social responses to crime and deviance Macionis and Plummer, (2005).Deviant behaviour is therefore socially constructed. This essay will describe in full the labelling theory and comment on the importance of the theory to the deviant behaviour of the youth and the anti-social behaviour of the youth in Britain today. The labelling theory becomes dominant in the early 1960s and the late 1970s when it was used as a sociological theory of crime influential in challenging orthodox positivity criminology. The key people to this theory were Becker and Lement.The foundations of this view of deviance are said to have been first established by Lement, (1951) and were subsequently developed by Becker, (1963).As a matter of fact the labelling theory has subsequently become a dominant paradigm in the explanation of devience.The symbolic interaction perspective was extremely active in the early foundations of the labelling theory. The labelling theory is constituted by the assumption that deviant behaviour is to be seen not simply as the violation of a norm but as any behaviour which is successfully defined or labelled as deviant. Deviance is not the act itself but the response others give to that act which means deviance...
Words: 2141 - Pages: 9
