NCJ Number
29632
Date Published
1974
Length
237 pages
Annotation
A PARTICIPANT-OBSERVER STUDY, CONDUCTED OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD, OF 'THE BOYS', A GROUP OF LATE-ADOLESCENT DELINQUENTS IN LIVERPOOL.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR FOUND A PROFOUND SENSE OF SOCIAL ALIENATION AMONG 'THE BOYS'. THE STATE, AND EXTERNAL SOCIETY IN GENERAL, ENJOY A PSEUDO-LEGITIMACY WHICH RESULTS NOT FROM RESPECT FOR ITS NORMS, BUT FROM ITS ABILITY TO ENFORCE THEM. THIS DELINQUENT SUB-CULTURE IS SEEN AS SELF-PERPETUATING, AND IMMUNE TO ATTEMPTS BY SOCIAL WORKERS TO INTEGRATE IT INTO THE MAINSTREAM. PARKER CONCLUDES THAT ONLY A REARRANGEMENT OF THE POLITICAL MACHINERY COULD BRING ABOUT IDENTIFICATION WITH LEGITIMATE SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS.