Identify and explain one factor which may account for the relatively high level of crime that is committed by young people, according to Item A.
AQA
GCSE
2022
👑Complete Model Essay
Free Essay Plan
Introduction
Briefly introduce the topic of youth crime and acknowledge its complexity.
Briefly mention the factors listed in Item A and state that this essay will focus on [chosen factor, e.g., status frustration] as a key explanation for the high levels of youth crime.
Main Body: [Chosen Factor, e.g., Status Frustration] and Youth Crime
Explanation of [Chosen Factor]
Define and explain the chosen factor in detail. For example, if focusing on status frustration:
- Draw on the work of Albert Cohen and his concept of status frustration.
- Explain how young people, particularly from working-class backgrounds, may experience frustration due to their inability to achieve status and success through legitimate means (e.g., education, employment).
- Highlight how this frustration can lead to the formation of delinquent subcultures where alternative status hierarchies are established.
Evidence and Examples
Provide evidence and examples to support the argument that the chosen factor contributes to youth crime:
- Use relevant sociological studies or statistics that demonstrate a correlation between the chosen factor and youth crime rates.
- Provide specific examples of youth crimes (e.g., vandalism, theft, anti-social behaviour) that can be interpreted as expressions of status frustration and the pursuit of alternative status within peer groups.
Analysis and Evaluation
Critically evaluate the chosen factor, acknowledging its strengths and limitations:
- Strengths: Explain how the chosen factor provides a valuable insight into the motivations behind certain types of youth crime and the influence of social structures on individual behaviour.
- Limitations: Acknowledge that the chosen factor may not fully explain all forms of youth crime. Recognize that not all young people who experience the chosen factor engage in criminal activity. Consider other factors (e.g., individual differences, family background, peer influence) that also contribute to youth crime.
Conclusion
Summarize the key arguments presented in the essay, reiterating the chosen factor's significance in understanding youth crime.
Offer a balanced conclusion by acknowledging the complexity of the issue and the need for multi-faceted solutions to address youth crime effectively.
Youth Crime: A Sociological Perspective
Item A highlights the concerning issue of youth crime, a phenomenon that has garnered significant attention from sociologists. This essay will delve into one prominent factor that may contribute to the relatively high crime rates among young people: the functionalist perspective of status frustration, as articulated by Albert Cohen.
Status Frustration: A Functionalist Perspective
Functionalist theories, rooted in the work of Emile Durkheim, view society as a cohesive system where institutions work together to maintain stability. Crime, while undesirable, is seen as an inevitable and even functional aspect of this system. Albert Cohen, a prominent functionalist, developed the concept of status frustration to explain youth crime. He argued that young people, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, often find themselves at a disadvantage within the education system and subsequently in the pursuit of socially approved goals like success and status.
According to Cohen, the middle-class values dominant in educational institutions often clash with the values and experiences of working-class youth. This clash leads to a sense of inadequacy and frustration, as these young individuals struggle to compete and achieve within this framework. Unable to attain status through legitimate means, they experience what Cohen terms "status frustration."
This frustration, however, does not dissipate quietly. Instead, it manifests as a rejection of the very values that deem them failures. Young people in this situation may form delinquent subcultures, where criminal activity becomes a means of gaining recognition and status among their peers. Within these subcultures, behaviors that defy conventional norms are celebrated, offering a sense of belonging and achievement that eludes them in mainstream society. Vandalism, for instance, becomes an act of rebellion against a system perceived as unjust, and theft can be seen as a way to attain material goods otherwise inaccessible.
Evaluation of the Status Frustration Perspective
While Cohen's theory offers valuable insights into the connection between social inequalities and youth crime, it is not without its limitations. Critics argue that it oversimplifies the complexities of youth delinquency. Not all young people from disadvantaged backgrounds turn to crime, and attributing their actions solely to status frustration ignores individual agency and the influence of other factors like family background, peer pressure, and individual psychological factors.
Furthermore, the theory's focus on working-class youth can lead to the neglect of criminal activity among middle and upper-class youth. It also risks perpetuating stereotypes about working-class communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cohen's concept of status frustration provides a valuable lens through which to understand youth crime. It highlights the societal inequalities and pressures that can contribute to delinquent behavior, emphasizing the importance of social context in understanding individual actions. However, it is crucial to recognize that this is just one piece of the puzzle. A comprehensive understanding of youth crime necessitates a multi-faceted approach that considers a wider range of social, economic, and individual factors.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Status Frustration
Functionalist idea that youth crime is a response to young people’s inability to achieve success through socially-approved means, resulting in them gaining approval through challenging authority.
Labelling Theory
Interactionist idea that young people are labelled as ‘typical offenders’ so are more likely to be targeted by agencies of social control.
Youth Subcultures
Marxist idea that youth crime is a response to the controlling mechanisms of the adult world of capitalism. (NB Youth subculture is not an exclusively Marxist concept).