Albert Cohen

Definition

Albert Cohen was an influential American sociologist and criminologist best known for his work on delinquent subcultures and the role of status frustration in youth behavior. His theories, particularly those articulated in 'Delinquent Boys,' emphasize how lower-class boys create subcultures that counter mainstream values as a response to their inability to achieve social status through conventional means. This understanding links closely with broader themes of economic strain and the history of juvenile justice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cohen's 'Delinquent Boys' (1955) presents a detailed analysis of how working-class youth form their own subcultures as a way to cope with societal expectations and their social realities.
2. He argues that these delinquent subcultures are not merely reactions to individual frustrations but are collective responses to the structural inequalities present in society.
3. Cohen's work emphasizes the importance of peer groups in shaping the values and behaviors of adolescents, illustrating how they create an alternative hierarchy of status based on toughness and rebellion.
4. His theories laid foundational ideas for understanding juvenile delinquency, influencing both sociological research and policy-making regarding youth crime and rehabilitation.
5. Cohen's contributions helped highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to juvenile justice, recognizing the socio-economic factors that contribute to youth offending rather than solely focusing on individual pathology.

Review Questions

• How does Albert Cohen’s concept of status frustration explain the formation of delinquent subcultures among youth?
  • Albert Cohen’s concept of status frustration explains that lower-class youth often face barriers in achieving social status through conventional means like education and employment. This sense of frustration leads them to form delinquent subcultures that create their own set of values and norms as a way to gain respect and status among peers. In these subcultures, behaviors deemed unacceptable by mainstream society are embraced, providing these youths with an alternative path to recognition.
• Analyze the impact of Cohen’s theories on the understanding of economic strain and juvenile delinquency.
  • Cohen’s theories illustrate how economic strain directly influences juvenile delinquency by creating conditions where young people feel socially excluded. When opportunities for success through traditional means are limited due to socioeconomic factors, youth may turn to delinquent behavior as a means of achieving status within their own peer groups. This analysis emphasizes the relationship between economic conditions and criminal behavior, suggesting that addressing these systemic issues can lead to a reduction in juvenile crime.
• Evaluate how Albert Cohen’s insights into delinquent subcultures contributed to changes in juvenile justice policies over time.
  • Albert Cohen’s insights into delinquent subcultures revealed that juvenile delinquency is often rooted in broader social issues rather than individual moral failings. This understanding led to significant shifts in juvenile justice policies, advocating for more rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures. By recognizing the socio-economic contexts that contribute to youth crime, policymakers began to focus on prevention programs and community-based interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of delinquency rather than solely punishing offenders.

Related terms

Status Frustration: A condition where individuals, particularly youth, feel deprived of social status and recognition, leading them to adopt alternative values that can manifest in delinquent behaviors.

Subculture:

A group within a larger culture that has its own distinct values, norms, and behaviors, often arising in response to societal pressures or marginalization.

Social Disorganization Theory: A theory that suggests crime rates are linked to the ecological characteristics of neighborhoods, highlighting how disorganized communities struggle to maintain social order.