Subculture of the gang: a study of delinquent youth
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What is the major problem of adjustment faced by working-class boys?
The major problem is a loss or respect and a feeling of inferiority. These are caused by the fact that though the lower class boys have fewer opportunities to succeed they are judged by the same standards as the middle class boys who have significantly more opportunities. This loss of respect and feelings of inferiority cause the working-class boys to experience a loss of status in the mixed group of lower and middle class boys.
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Solution Summary
This is a discussion of the subculture of delinquent youth. It is specifically a discussion of the ideas of Cohen and his theories about gang subcultures. Over 750 words of original text along with links to important websites.
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What is the major problem of adjustment faced by working-class boys?
The major problem is a loss or respect and a feeling of inferiority. These are caused by the fact that though the lower class boys have fewer opportunities to succeed they are judged by the same standards as the middle class boys who have significantly more opportunities. This loss of respect and feelings of inferiority cause the working-class boys to experience a loss of status in the mixed group of lower and middle class boys.
How could a delinquent subculture resolve this problem?
The delinquent subculture resolves this problem but rewriting the standards which are used to judge the boys' behavior. They reject completely or in part the standards which have been imposed on them by the middle class. In many or most cases, the standards of the subculture are the complete antithesis of the standards embraced by the middle class. For example if the middle class standards call for boys to treat girls with respect and consideration, the subculture standard may espouse treating girls as objects worthy only of exploitation and violation. The girls become little more than a consumer good. If the ...
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