12. Evaluate the view that research on deviant subcultures ignores girls.
OCR
A Level
2020
👑Complete Model Essay
Free Essay Plan
Evaluate the view that research on deviant subcultures ignores girls.
This essay will evaluate the view that research on deviant subcultures ignores girls. It will be argued that while some research does focus primarily on male experiences, other studies have highlighted the diverse ways in which girls participate in and create deviant subcultures. The essay will explore key sociological theories and studies that contribute to this debate, including functionalism, feminism, Marxism/Neo-Marxism, postmodernism, and specific studies by McRobbie and Garber, Harding and Messerschmidt, Heidensohn, Lees, and Batchelor.
Functionalism and the Focus on Male Deviance
Functionalist theories, such as Merton’s strain theory, often focus on the pressures faced by working-class boys in achieving success. This perspective suggests that boys are more likely to engage in deviant activities, like joining gangs, due to social and economic inequalities. This focus on male deviance has been criticized for neglecting the experiences of girls. It is argued that functionalist theories essentially ignore the complexities of female deviance and the unique pressures faced by girls in society.
Feminist Perspectives on Deviant Subcultures
Feminist perspectives have challenged the male-centric focus of traditional sociological research on deviance and subcultures. They argue that girls' experiences are often marginalized or ignored. Feminist scholars have highlighted the ways in which gender influences the nature and expression of deviance. For example, Heidensohn argues that girls are more controlled by patriarchal society, making it more difficult for them to participate in deviant subcultures. Similarly, Lees suggests that girls are more likely to be labelled as deviant than boys for the same behaviour, due to the double standards they face.
The Myth of the Girl Gang and Bedroom Cultures
Some researchers, such as Batchelor, have argued that the concept of the girl gang is a myth. They suggest that girls often engage in forms of deviance different from boys, which are less visible and less likely to be labelled as deviant. McRobbie and Garber have highlighted the significance of "bedroom cultures" for girls. This suggests that girls may form their own subcultures within the confines of their homes, through their consumption of music, fashion, and other cultural forms.
Masculinity and Deviance: Exploring the Gender Dimension
Studies by Harding and Messerschmidt have explored the link between deviance and "doing masculinity." They argue that boys may engage in deviant behaviour as a way to assert their masculinity and achieve social status. In contrast, girls may be less likely to participate in traditional deviant subcultures because they do not need to prove their masculinity in the same way.
Postmodern and Intersectionality Perspectives
Postmodern theories challenge the idea of fixed categories of deviance and subcultures. They argue that the social world is increasingly fragmented and diverse, and that girls’ experiences of deviance cannot be understood through monolithic categories. Intersectionality theory, which highlights the interplay of gender, race, class, and other social factors, provides a useful framework for understanding the diverse ways in which girls navigate and experience deviance.
Evaluation: The Need for Inclusive and Intersectional Research
In conclusion, while it is undeniable that much research on deviant subcultures has focused on male experiences, the argument that such research completely ignores girls is too simplistic. Feminist, postmodern, and intersectional perspectives have significantly enriched our understanding of girls’ participation in deviant subcultures. Future research should continue to adopt inclusive methodologies and intersectional frameworks to capture the nuances and complexities of girls’ experiences and avoid perpetuating the myth that deviant subcultures are solely the domain of boys. By acknowledging the diverse ways in which girls engage in deviance, we can gain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the social world and its complex dynamics.
Evaluate the view that research on deviant subcultures ignores girls.
The sociology of deviance has traditionally focused on male-dominated subcultures, leading to claims that research in this area ignores the experiences of girls. This essay will explore the extent to which this claim is justified, examining both the historical neglect of female deviance and the emergence of research challenging this trend.
Early Research and the Invisibility of Girls
Early sociological studies of deviance, often grounded in functionalist perspectives, largely overlooked girls. For instance, Albert Cohen's work on status frustration primarily focused on working-class boys, explaining their deviance as a reaction to their inability to achieve middle-class success. This emphasis on male experiences can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, societal norms and expectations have historically placed greater constraints on girls' behaviour, limiting their opportunities for engaging in visible forms of deviance. Secondly, researchers themselves, often male, may have held implicit biases that led them to focus on male-dominated spaces and activities.
This neglect is further exemplified by the work of sociologists like McRobbie and Garber, who argued that girls' lives were largely confined to "bedroom cultures," characterized by private spaces and intimate relationships. This perspective, while highlighting the importance of peer groups in girls' lives, inadvertently reinforced the notion that female experiences were less relevant to the study of public forms of deviance.
Feminist Critiques and the Emergence of Girls' Voices
Feminist scholars have been instrumental in challenging the male-centric bias in deviance research. They argue that the focus on male delinquency stems from a failure to recognize the ways in which gendered norms and power dynamics shape both deviant behaviour and its social control. For instance, the work of theorists like Heidensohn has highlighted how girls' experiences of social control, both within the family and within wider society, are often more intense than those experienced by boys. This increased control can limit girls' opportunities to engage in certain forms of deviance, but it can also lead to different, often less visible, forms of transgression.
Moreover, research has begun to explore how girls navigate the complexities of "doing masculinity" within deviant subcultures. As argued by Messerschmidt and Harding, participation in gangs and other deviant groups is often seen as a way for boys to assert their masculinity. Girls, on the other hand, face a more complex challenge. They may participate in similar activities, but their involvement is often interpreted differently, leading to heightened scrutiny and labeling. This fear of being labeled, as explored by Lees, can act as a deterrent for girls considering joining deviant subcultures.
The Myth of Girl Gangs and the Diversity of Female Deviance
The emergence of research on female gangs has further challenged the notion that girls are absent from deviant subcultures. However, scholars like Batchelor have argued that the concept of "girl gangs" itself is often a myth, perpetuating stereotypes about female aggression and failing to capture the diverse realities of girls' involvement in criminal activity. This research highlights the importance of moving beyond simplistic understandings of deviance and recognizing the complex and often fluid ways in which girls navigate the boundaries of acceptable behaviour.
Conclusion: Beyond Binary Understandings of Deviance
In conclusion, while it is true that early research on deviant subcultures largely neglected the experiences of girls, this omission is being increasingly challenged by contemporary scholarship. Feminist perspectives have been crucial in highlighting the ways in which gender intersects with deviance, revealing the unique constraints and opportunities faced by girls. Moving forward, it is essential to adopt more nuanced and intersectional approaches that recognize the diversity of female experiences within deviant subcultures and move beyond simplistic binary understandings of gender and deviance. This requires acknowledging not only the ways in which girls are controlled and marginalized, but also the ways in which they actively shape and negotiate their identities and behaviors within the context of complex social structures.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Theories
• Functionalism • Feminism • Marxism / Neo-Marxism • Postmodernism
Studies / concepts
• McRobbie and Garber - girls belong to bedroom cultures, not gangs • Gangs/ deviant subcultures are linked to “doing masculinity” for boys; girls do not need to achieve this (Harding, Messerschimdt) • Girls don't join deviant subcultures as they are more controlled (Heidensohn) or fear being labelled (Lees) • Girl gangs are a myth - Batchelor
Evaluation