Albert Cohen Approach Applied to Gangs and Drug Use in TeenagersJoin now to read essay Albert Cohen Approach Applied to Gangs and Drug Use in TeenagersAlbert Cohens thesis is that class based status frustration is the origin of subcultures. Crime culture existed in certain social groups and the individuals learned the value of the delinquent subculture through participation in gangs. Delinquent subcultures have values that are in opposition to those of the dominant culture. The strain is rooted by low economical conditions, poor parental relations, and low school standards, with no chance of succeeding in the future. The anti social structure of cities also affects the why a boy and or girl joins a gang. The formation of gangs in cities, and most recently in suburbs, is assisted by the same lack of community among parents. While almost half of high seniors used marijuana at least once, thirty-seven percent said they had used it in the past year, and twenty-three percent said they had used it in the previous month.
Strain Theory, posits the disjuncture between socially and sub culturally sanctioned mean and goods as the cause of criminal behavior. Albert Cohens thesis is that class based status frustration is the origin of subcultures. Cohens focus is on school based achievement status. The institution of the school symbolizes middle class values for honesty, courtesy, personality, responsibility, and the middle class measuring rod. It is this environment where competition takes place for status, approval, or respect. Strain is interpersonal, located at the level of group interaction.
There are many problems facing todays society. One of the problems is the violent condition that surrounds the lives of children in America. We are awarded of the violence among our juveniles because we read, hear and see it. The newspapers, magazines, news media, and our neighborhoods testify the living proof of the chaos. What can we do to influence these kids to stay out off
trouble? First of all, we have to realize this is a very serious problem. And it has to be stopped. The second step is to figure out what causes children to be violent and become juvenile delinquents. This negative attitude causes them to lead a life of delinquency and a life isolated from societys idealistic world. When we ask this question, many others come in mind. Do these problems begin in the family? Are parents good role models or are they condoning the violence? How can we prevent parents from destroying the minds and future of these children?
Albert Cohen was born in 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Harvard University, Masters degree in Sociology from Indiana University and a Ph D. in Sociology from Harvard University. He received the American Society of Criminology Edwin H. Sutherland award in 1993. In 1955 Albert K. Cohen wrote Delinquent Boys: The Culture of the Gang. Cohen assumed that the delinquent subculture was found in the lower class, where the social control was not strong enough to constrain the delinquency. Cohen asserted that “the delinquent subculture was mostly to be found in the working class”. Delinquent subculture was the most common form in American society, especially in lower-class males. He characterized the delinquent subcultures as “non-utilitarian, malicious, and negativistic.”
₁. Although he was very much of a reactionary, he was well liked and admired by upper class girls and was often called “Bubba.” But he was also well-disposed for the “liberal” agenda of the United States government. He was a strong proponent for free trade with other countries and he was also strong in support of the idea of legal immigration to our country. Albert Cohen was also known for his role in funding the movement for civil rights in all 50 states, particularly among black voters. He was also strong supporter of civil equality between racial minority/ethnic and female voters as well. The result is that black youth are more likely or more exposed to criminals. The results were very positive. Albert Cohen became a very popular figure, although in some ways his life had been very much on the downhill side of things. But in all, he was not afraid to get involved so he could continue to be a part of that movement. While Albert was trying to continue his work, another student, K.Dee Davis, began calling and writing. It also became known that some of her letters from her friends got lost in trouble when she tried to get a loan from a bank. At that time she felt that she was more or less powerless against those who sought to prevent her in making a loan or at least trying to make a loan. Thereafter, a number of students and some of her friends worked to help her and get her to write letters to the Banksters. Albert was a very intelligent young man. In 1957 K.Dee found a small writing school, called the “Little Green Book,” which he had read for some time. Albert had never taught English at the school, but he received a writing diploma from the school in 1958. He had gotten to know many young people at the school, but he did not receive any professional instruction as a student. (His father had been an eminent scholar of the law, although his father was not an expert.) In 1959 Albert was working a job for a railroad company that had a branch in Chicago and was doing quite well in both the railroad business and labor relations area under the direction of W. H. D. Rennie. He was a good worker, but in 1959 he was sick of his old work and lost his job. However, one day a young boy went to work for W., and his boss asked him who he was working for. He said he was a contractor with an office. He was fired because he was trying to make money, but the boss finally offered to work him for a bit. Albert said he couldn’t do much and decided to quit the company for good and try his hand at law. Soon after that the situation came to a turning point and Albert was able to quit the company. Albert took time to compose another letter but never wrote it. In October of 1963 Albert went to New York for college and met another young boy named K.Dee Davis. Although he did not know K.Dee, he did make a connection between Albert and him when he found an older woman named Mary Lee Davis who was a good friend and confidant of Albert Kahneman. Also, when Albert met this young woman, he did not
₁. Although he was very much of a reactionary, he was well liked and admired by upper class girls and was often called “Bubba.” But he was also well-disposed for the “liberal” agenda of the United States government. He was a strong proponent for free trade with other countries and he was also strong in support of the idea of legal immigration to our country. Albert Cohen was also known for his role in funding the movement for civil rights in all 50 states, particularly among black voters. He was also strong supporter of civil equality between racial minority/ethnic and female voters as well. The result is that black youth are more likely or more exposed to criminals. The results were very positive. Albert Cohen became a very popular figure, although in some ways his life had been very much on the downhill side of things. But in all, he was not afraid to get involved so he could continue to be a part of that movement. While Albert was trying to continue his work, another student, K.Dee Davis, began calling and writing. It also became known that some of her letters from her friends got lost in trouble when she tried to get a loan from a bank. At that time she felt that she was more or less powerless against those who sought to prevent her in making a loan or at least trying to make a loan. Thereafter, a number of students and some of her friends worked to help her and get her to write letters to the Banksters. Albert was a very intelligent young man. In 1957 K.Dee found a small writing school, called the “Little Green Book,” which he had read for some time. Albert had never taught English at the school, but he received a writing diploma from the school in 1958. He had gotten to know many young people at the school, but he did not receive any professional instruction as a student. (His father had been an eminent scholar of the law, although his father was not an expert.) In 1959 Albert was working a job for a railroad company that had a branch in Chicago and was doing quite well in both the railroad business and labor relations area under the direction of W. H. D. Rennie. He was a good worker, but in 1959 he was sick of his old work and lost his job. However, one day a young boy went to work for W., and his boss asked him who he was working for. He said he was a contractor with an office. He was fired because he was trying to make money, but the boss finally offered to work him for a bit. Albert said he couldn’t do much and decided to quit the company for good and try his hand at law. Soon after that the situation came to a turning point and Albert was able to quit the company. Albert took time to compose another letter but never wrote it. In October of 1963 Albert went to New York for college and met another young boy named K.Dee Davis. Although he did not know K.Dee, he did make a connection between Albert and him when he found an older woman named Mary Lee Davis who was a good friend and confidant of Albert Kahneman. Also, when Albert met this young woman, he did not
Cohen contends that crime culture existed in certain social groups and the individuals learned the value of the delinquent subculture through participation in gangs. In his theory, Cohen tried to explain why children of the lower class were induced to become delinquent boys and what the characteristics of delinquent subculture were.
Delinquent subcultures have values that are in opposition to those of the dominant culture. These subcultures emerge in the nations largest cities. The strain is rooted by low economical conditions, poor parental relations, and low school standards, with no chance of succeeding in the future. Cohen notes that the position of ones family in the social structure determines the problems the child will later face in life. Therefore, they will experience status frustration and strain and adapt into either a moral boy, or a delinquent boy.
There is an assumption that juveniles steal items, for the desire to have the items. They may want them because they can eat them, wear them or otherwise use them; or they can sell them; or even—if we are given to a psychoanalytic turn of mind—because some deep symbolic level they substitute or stand for something unconsciously desired forbidden. Their delinquent acts serve no real purpose. They often discard or destroy what they have stolen. Their acts are random and are often directed at people and property. This type of
delinquency in contrast to most adult crimes seemed to serve no useful purpose. Juvenile gangs stole thing they did not want or need, vandalized