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Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin’s (1960) “Differential Opportunity Theory” argues that people from low socioeconomic backgrounds with limited opportunities for success will often use any means at their will to achieve that success. These means are generally referred to as subcultures such as criminal subcultures, conflict subcultures, and retreatist subcultures. Criminal subcultures can be characterized as utilitarian crimes like theft. Criminal subculture is likely to develop in neighborhoods where criminal activity is favored like a low-income neighborhood. Next, is conflict subcultures. Conflict subcultures tend to emerge in neighborhoods where there is a small amount of organized adult crime. Since the criminal subculture is primarily geared toward young people, instead of learning how to commit serious crimes related to money, the young people will usually try and gain their respect through gang violence. Lastly, there is the retreatist subculture. Retreatist subculture can be described as when an individual engages in vice crimes to escape strain. Retreats subcultures are for young people who have failed in criminal subcultures and are considered “double failures”. As a result, those who have been rejected from other subcultures tend to turn to drug and alcohol abuse.
People from low socioeconomic backgrounds will do anything to achieve success. Typically going through the criminal subcultures until they find it, if not resorting to drugs & alcohol.
https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/two-men-three-juveniles-arrested-for-stealing-from-business-leading-officers-on-pursuit/
March 13th, 2020 at around 4:49 am the Bakersfield Police Department was called after a report had been made of a burglary. Two male adults and three juveniles ages 14, 15, and 16 were said to be involved in the burglary. The two men and three juveniles were arrested for ramming a vehicle into a business to gain entry and steal several items. The article stated that a security guard was shot at when he began to approach the suspects. Luckily, the security guard was not harmed, and the suspects then fled the scene in their vehicle. A short time later, officers found the suspected vehicle in the area of Westside Parkway and Mohawk Street and attempted a routine traffic stop that the driver then led the officers on a pursuit. During the pursuit, two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Eventually, the pursuit ended in the 3700 block of California Avenue. The suspect vehicle was determined to be reported stolen and no firearm was recovered. Hernandez was identified as the suspect who fired at the security guard and was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm, two counts of burglary, conspiracy, gang participation, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Stickler was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was arrested on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading, two counts of burglary, conspiracy, gang participation, resisting arrest, as well as an outstanding arrest warrant. The three juveniles were arrested for two counts of burglary, conspiracy, gang participation, and possession of a stolen vehicle. All three of the juveniles were transported and booked in Juvenile Hall. This crime relates to the “Differential Opportunity Theory” because a few individuals were willing to reach “success” by any means, putting both their lives and the lives of others in danger. Because there were three juveniles involved in the crime it could be said this was characterized as one of the criminal subcultures, conflict subculture. The three teens may have accompanied the two adult males to gain their respect through gang violence.
Based on the Differential Opportunity Theory, I think the best policy implication to prevent criminal subcultures specifically with young adults first and foremost is education. There are many programs out there that can assist families and their children by providing them with the proper information. Some of the programs can teach children the effects of drugs, gangs, sex, and weapons. Other programs can even encourage kids and teens to learn their worth. The purpose of these sorts of programs is to encourage hope and open up opportunities for young adults in low socioeconomic backgrounds. Another implication would be recreation. Similar to educational programs but more recreational activities. For example, The Boys and Girls Club of America. The importance of a recreational center is that it is open to kids after school typically around 2 pm to 8 pm, filling the unsupervised hours that they would be out possibly committing crimes. Recreation programs also allow kids to connect with other adults as well as children in the community. The last policy implication I would suggest is community involvement, such as church youth groups or volunteer groups within the community. This could provide youth with an opportunity to interact with others in a safe social environment. All of these policy implications could minimize subcultures within young adults by showing them that they are much more capable than they think and that there are opportunities out there to help them reach success.
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