Sociology Essay: Explaining Male Youth Deviance

This essay will explore the sociological explanations for the observed trend of higher rates of deviance amongst young males compared to females. It will examine a range of factors, including societal controls, subcultural influences, and the impact of labelling and masculinity, drawing upon various sociological perspectives.

Control Theory and the Socialisation of Females

Control theory, particularly the work of Heidensohn, offers valuable insights into why females may be less likely to engage in deviance. Heidensohn argues that girls are subject to greater control from an early age, both within the family and wider society. McRobbie and Garber support this, suggesting that girls' leisure time is often confined to the home, limiting opportunities for deviance. This control can manifest in various ways, from stricter curfews to greater parental supervision. Smart further highlights how the patriarchal nature of the family can stifle female autonomy, potentially channeling them away from deviant behavior.

Labelling and the Construction of Gendered Deviance

The role of labelling in shaping deviant identities is crucial. Lees argues that double standards exist in how boys and girls are labelled by peers. Boys often gain status through deviant acts, reinforcing their masculinity, while girls face negative labels for similar behavior, leading to social ostracization. This suggests that deviance itself is gendered, with certain acts perceived as more acceptable for males.

Hegemonic Masculinity and Subcultural Explanations

Messerschmidt's concept of hegemonic masculinity helps explain the link between masculinity and deviance. He argues that young men are under pressure to prove their masculinity, and deviance can become a way of achieving this, particularly in environments where traditional routes to success are limited. This aligns with Miller's focal concerns theory, which suggests that working-class males often prioritize values like toughness and excitement, potentially leading to deviant behavior.

Furthermore, Functionalist perspectives, particularly subcultural theories like Cohen's status frustration, explain deviance as a response to social inequalities. This frustration, experienced more acutely by working-class males, can manifest in the formation of subcultures with their own values and norms, often in conflict with mainstream society, leading to deviant behavior as a way of achieving status and recognition within the subculture.

The Impact of Peer Pressure and Media Representations

Mac an Ghaill's work on peer group pressure emphasizes the role of social groups in shaping behavior. Boys, often more than girls, experience pressure to conform to the norms of their peer groups, which can involve engaging in risky or deviant behavior to gain acceptance. This is further exacerbated by the influence of the media, as highlighted by Sewell. The media's portrayal of hyper-masculinity, often linked to violence and risk-taking, sets unrealistic expectations for young males, potentially contributing to their higher levels of deviance.

Postmodernism and the Changing Landscape of Deviance

Postmodernists offer a more nuanced understanding of deviance. Winlow's work on the night-time economy highlights how the boundaries between acceptable and deviant behavior are becoming increasingly blurred. In these spaces, often dominated by masculine values, risk-taking and aggression can be celebrated, potentially leading to higher levels of male deviance.

Conclusion

The higher rates of deviance amongst young males can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors. Control theory, labelling perspectives, and the influence of hegemonic masculinity all contribute to understanding this phenomenon. Subcultural explanations, combined with the impact of peer pressure and media representations, further illuminate the social and cultural forces at play. Finally, postmodernist perspectives remind us that the definition and experience of deviance are constantly evolving, making it crucial to consider the changing societal contexts in which it occurs.