NCJ Number
48631
Journal
Interchange Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1975) Pages: 49-55
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED OF THE THEORY THAT THE STRUCTURE OF CONTEMPORARY SCHOOLING FOSTERS IMMORALITY (DELINQUENCY), WITH REFERENCE TO PROBLEMS OF DEFINITION AND DATA.
Abstract
THE THEORY, PROPOSED BY ALBERT K. COHEN, ARGUES THAT SOCIETY PRESCRIBES A GENERAL GOAL OF ECONOMIC SUCCESS FOR ALL WHILE STRUCTURALLY REDUCING CHANCES OF REACHING THIS GOAL FOR MANY. THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM DISTRIBUTES THE ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS. WORKING-CLASS HOMES PRODUCE CHILDREN UNPREPARED FOR SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOLS RUN BY AND FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS. SOME OF THESE CHILDREN RESENT THIS INJUSTICE AND REBEL, ADOPTING VALUES THAT ARE ANTITHETICAL TO MIDDLE-CLASS VALUES AND THAT LEAD TO LAW-BREAKING ACTS. GROUPING TOGETHER IN GANGS, THESE YOUTHS SOCIALIZE YOUNGER BOYS INTO A SELF-PERPETUATING DELINQUENT SUBCULTURE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT, WHILE THIS THEORY INITIALLY SEEMS PLAUSIBLE, THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS RELATIVE TO DEFINITIONS OF DELINQUENCY AND LACK OF EMPIRICAL SUPPORT. CONTROL THEORY -- THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE ARE BORN FREE TO BREAK THE LAW AND REFRAIN FROM DOING SO ONLY IF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST -- IS OFFERED AS AN ALTERNATIVE CONCEPT OF DELINQUENCY. CONTROL THEORY IS SAID TO AVOID THE COMPLEXITY AND NONDEMONSTRATED ASPECTS OF THE COHEN THEORY AND TO LEAVE OPEN FOR EMPIRICAL RESOLUTION SEVERAL QUESTIONS INACCURATELY ANSWERED BY THAT THEORY. SCHOOL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS -- MAKING ATTENDANCE VOLUNTARY, INTEGRATING FORMAL EDUCATION WITH THE ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE, REMOVING THE MONOPOLY OF COGNITIVE AND VERBAL SKILLS ON MODES OF EVALUATION, OFFERING MORE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES TO WHICH PEOPLE CAN COMMIT THEMSELVES -- ARE SUGGESTED IN LIGHT OF THE CONTROL THEORY OF DELINQUENCY. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)