Miller's Subcultural Theory: Life Beyond Sociology

Subcultural Theory: Life Beyond Sociology
Brendetta Beamon
SOC 210
Sampson Community College
11/28/2014

Brendetta Beamon
Teresa Johnson
SOC 210
28 November 2014
Subcultural Theory: Life Beyond Sociology In pursuance to fully address all the points stated in this assignment, I have chosen to use the concept of the subcultural theory. This particular theory in sociology is also associated with and is a well known theory in the field of criminal justice (my major area of study.) The subcultural theory in both the field of sociology and criminal justice concern the subject matter of delinquency amongst younger individuals. Names of individuals that are associated with the subcultural theory include: Phil Cohen, David Matza,
Walter Miller, Albert K. Cohen, Frederic M. Thrasher, Edward F. Frazier, Elijah Anderson, Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin. Albert K. Cohen an American criminologist, focused his research more on youth in gangs and how the environment that surrounded them affected their lives; taking Albert K. Cohen’s perspective on the subcultural theory into consideration, it is a straightforward response that makes a clear correlation between delinquents and how their surroundings influence their behavior (Downes 2013.) While all the aforestated names have a slightly different view as to why the subcultural theory exists, they all appear to have logical reasoning that aid in an individual’s attempt to further understand why issues pertaining to misconduct are present in a juvenile’s life.
Elijah Anderson an American sociologist, another name involved in the study of the subcultural theory, focused his research more on what he refers to as the “code of the streets.” “Elijah Anderson’s ‘Code of the Street’ describes the delinquent subculture, where acts of violence even as severe as murder is viewed as a normal response to signs of disrespect and disdain” (Regoli 2009.) In reviewing Elijah Anderson’s viewpoint, pertaining to the subcultural theory, one could say he see’s misconduct and unethical behavior among delinquents as a cause of disrespect (which some younger individuals perceive as a threat.)
Walter B.
Miller (an anthropologist involved in the exploration of the subcultural theory), expresses his stance on the subcultural theory by technically stating that “it is not because of a younger individuals inability to achieve, but because of a lower class subculture whose values differentiate from those of the norm” (Kvaraceus 1959.) In Miller’s opinion of crime amongst juveniles, the acts of delinquency are committed not because there is a strain to accomplish, but because of the different values of people in a lower class possess. Miller also explains that “three focal points play a huge part in delinquency, the focal points include: toughness, smartness and excitement. Miller feels as though toughness is considered an essential trait in lower class subculture and refers to smartness as one’s desire to ‘outfox’ another individual; the third focal point he refers to as excitement and believes that those of a lower class subculture enjoy the thrills of committing crimes even those that involve sexual gratification” (Kvaraceus
1959.)
In choosing a theory relating to those that have been discussed in class this semester, I determined that the subcultural theory would be an ideal option for me. The subcultural theory, although it expresses a numerous amount of perspectives from multiple individuals, it still appears to have a probable informative understanding as to why younger individuals misbehave the way they do. All in all, the subcultural theory is one that centers itself around juvenile delinquency. As an individual who is involved with the field of criminal justice, I understand there are many different types of offenders and one group just so happens to be juvenile delinquents.
In order to be successful in any career, an individual should have a decent amount of knowledge concerning their career.
With that being said, the more you know about your occupation of choice, the greater the chance you will succeed in your career. In the field of criminal justice (using juvenile court counselors and their work as an example), the longer an individual works in a department, the more knowledge they gain and the better they are able to cope with and help individuals, handle situations and perform the specific tasks required for that job. In addition to understanding one’s job in the field of criminal justice, comes the responsibility to attempt to control and contain the misbehaviors of others. With the principle of cause and effect in mind, it is clear that before the crime (the effect) was committed, there was more than likely a reason (the cause) for it. In understanding an individual’s reason for committing a crime, comes solutions as how to better control and contain other possible crimes from
surfacing.
As an illustration to better comprehend the causes as to why individuals (juveniles) commit crimes, I would like to make reference to the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. Two male students who were the victims of bullying, were responsible for the death of over ten students and the injury of more than twenty individuals (Muschert 2007.) In seeking to prevent teens from committing such heinous crimes, addition efforts were put forth to stop bullying and to further prevent events as such from happening. Given Elijah Anderson’s viewpoint on the subcultural theory (“Code of the Streets”), it could be concluded that one of the reasons the Columbine High School shooting occurred, was because the two individuals felt as though they were being disrespected and decided that it was okay to take matters into their own hands. Other school shootings that have transpired (due to bullying), have occurred since the tragic events that took place at Columbine High School. However, better understanding the causes of the shootings truly help prevent the shootings. In my particular field of work (as I have stated before), I will have to know how to deal with all types of offenders and juvenile offenders will be one of the groups. In having some knowledge of the different views aforementioned pertaining to the subcultural theory, I will have an advantage in knowing possibly why teens commit the crimes they do. From my understanding as to why juveniles commit crimes, I could go a step further and create possible solutions to help control and contain the criminal activity amongst younger offenders. On the whole, the different viewpoints of the subcultural theory help understand the underlying causes of crimes pertaining to juveniles. With this knowledge (to those in the field in criminal justice that this issue may concern), we can begin to end delinquency amongst juveniles; however, in order to have an ending to a problem, we must first find the solution and begin with that.

Works Cited
Downes, D. M. (2013). The Delinquent Solution (Routledge Revivals): A Study in Subcultural Theory (pp. 1-2). New York City, NY: Routledge.
Kvaraceus, W. C. (1959). The Journal of Negro Education (Vol. 28, pp. 191-199). Washington DC, DC: The Journal of Negro Education.
Muschert, G. W. (2007), Research in School Shootings. Sociology Compass, 1: 60–80. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2007.00008.x
Regoli, R., Hewitt, J., & DeLisi, M. (2009). Delinquency in Society (8th ed., p. 63). Sadbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.