Explain and briefly evaluate the view that boys join deviant subcultures as an expression of masculinity.
OCR
A Level
2020
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Essay Plan: Boys and Deviant Subcultures
This essay will explore the view that boys join deviant subcultures as an expression of masculinity. It will draw on functionalist explanations, examining how these subcultures provide a means for boys to achieve and perform hegemonic masculinity. However, it will also critically evaluate this perspective, considering alternative types of masculinity and the limitations of a solely functionalist approach.
Introduction
- Define deviant subcultures and explain their association with masculinity. - Briefly introduce the functionalist perspective and its focus on the role of subcultures in fulfilling societal needs. - State the essay's argument: while joining deviant subcultures can be seen as an expression of masculinity, this perspective is overly simplistic and needs to be critically evaluated.
AO1: Functionalist Explanations
Masculinity and Deviance
- Explain how traditional masculine traits like toughness, aggression, and risk-taking can be linked to deviance and subcultural participation. - Provide examples of how subcultural norms and activities reinforce these traits.
Miller's Focal Concerns
- Briefly explain Miller's theory of focal concerns. - Demonstrate how these concerns (e.g., trouble, excitement, smartness) are evident in deviant subcultures and contribute to a masculine identity.
Messerschmidt: Doing Masculinity
- Introduce Messerschmidt's concept of "doing masculinity". - Explain how subcultures provide a context for enacting these masculine performances, particularly for those who lack legitimate opportunities (e.g., education, employment).
Harding and Campbell: Blocked Avenues
- Outline Harding and Campbell's argument that boys turn to deviant subcultures when legitimate avenues for achieving masculinity are blocked. - Provide examples of how social and economic factors can contribute to this phenomenon.
Katz: Thrill and Risk-taking
- Discuss Katz's perspective on the appeal of crime and deviance for young males, linking it to their pursuit of thrills and excitement. - Show how this desire for risk-taking can be interpreted as an expression of masculine dominance and control.
Masculinity and Ethnicity
- Discuss how ethnicity can intersect with masculinity, leading to specific forms of deviance and subcultural formation. - Provide examples of anti-school subcultures and hypermasculinity among minority groups (Sewell, Mac an Ghail).
Simon Winlow: Masculinity and the Night-time Economy
- Introduce Winlow's work on the relationship between masculinity and the night-time economy. - Show how deviant subcultures in this context (e.g., gangs, club cultures) offer opportunities for men to perform and display their masculinity.
AO2: Application to the Question
- Apply the concepts discussed in AO1 to demonstrate how they explain boys joining deviant subcultures as an expression of masculinity. - Illustrate how these perspectives contribute to understanding the motivations, experiences, and identities of boys within these subcultures.
AO3: Analysis and Evaluation
Limitations of the Functionalist Perspective
- Critique the functionalist approach for its focus on hegemonic masculinity. - Point out that it neglects other forms of masculinity, such as marginalized masculinity and subordinate masculinity (Connell).
Alternative Perspectives
- Briefly discuss alternative perspectives on male deviance and subcultures, such as: - Symbolic Interactionism: Focus on the construction of meaning and identity within subcultures. - Critical Criminology: Emphasis on power structures and social inequalities contributing to deviance.
Wider Context: Social Factors
- Acknowledge the role of wider social factors, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, in shaping boys' experiences and choices. - Suggest that joining deviant subcultures can be a response to these social conditions, not simply a quest for masculinity.
Conclusion
- Summarize the main points of the essay. - Reaffirm the argument that while deviant subcultures can provide a context for the performance of masculinity, this perspective is limited and needs to be considered alongside other factors.
Further Discussion
- Explore the potential for positive and constructive forms of masculinity expression within subcultures. - Discuss the role of educational and social interventions in challenging hegemonic masculinity and providing alternative pathways for boys.
Deviant Subcultures and Masculinity
This essay will explore the view that boys join deviant subcultures as an expression of masculinity. It will examine various sociological perspectives on this issue, including functionalist theories, and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
Functionalist Perspectives
Functionalist sociologists argue that deviant subcultures provide a space for boys to achieve a sense of belonging and masculinity, particularly when conventional avenues are blocked. Miller (1958), for example, identified "focal concerns" among working-class boys, such as toughness, excitement, and autonomy, which could lead them towards deviant behaviour. These concerns, he argued, were exaggerated in working-class culture and provided a blueprint for masculinity within these groups.
Similarly, Messerschmidt (1993) argued that gangs offer young men a location for "doing masculinity." He suggested that in societies where traditional forms of masculinity, like providing for a family, are less accessible, young men may seek alternative means to prove their manhood. Gangs, with their emphasis on violence, risk-taking, and control, become a stage for performing a hyper-masculine identity.
Harding (2000) and Campbell (1993) further developed this idea, arguing that boys who lack opportunities for success in mainstream institutions, such as education or employment, may turn to deviant subcultures as a way of achieving status and respect. For these boys, joining a gang might be the only way they feel they can achieve a sense of masculinity and belonging.
The Role of Ethnicity
The relationship between masculinity and ethnicity also plays a role in the formation and appeal of deviant subcultures. Sewell (1997), studying African Caribbean boys in British schools, found that their experiences of racism and marginalization led some to adopt a hyper-masculine identity as a form of resistance. This often manifested in anti-school subcultures and gang involvement, offering a sense of power and control in a society that often denied them those things.
Mac an Ghaill (1994) similarly observed the construction of "macho lads" within school settings. These boys, often from working-class backgrounds, used aggressive behaviour and academic disengagement as a way to assert their masculinity within the school hierarchy.
Evaluations and Alternative Views
While these perspectives offer valuable insights, it's crucial to acknowledge their limitations. Firstly, not all boys who experience blocked opportunities or come from disadvantaged backgrounds join deviant subcultures. This suggests that individual agency and other social factors are also at play.
Secondly, Connell (1995) argues that the focus on hegemonic masculinity, the dominant and idealized form, overlooks the existence of multiple masculinities. For instance, marginalized masculinities (unemployed men) and subordinate masculinities (gay men) are not typically associated with joining deviant subcultures in the form of gangs.
Furthermore, Katz (1988) emphasizes the role of pleasure and thrill-seeking in motivating deviant behaviour. He argues that young men engage in crime not just to prove their masculinity, but also for the excitement and adrenaline rush it provides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the view that boys join deviant subcultures as an expression of masculinity offers valuable insights, it is essential to recognize its limitations. While functionalist perspectives highlight the role of blocked opportunities and the search for belonging, they often fail to account for the diversity of masculinities and individual agency. A more nuanced understanding requires considering the interplay of social, cultural, and individual factors in shaping young men's choices and behaviours.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
The following list is indicative of possible factors/evidence that candidates may refer to but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
Expect responses to be placed in a functionalist framework:
- Joining deviant subcultures as a ‘natural’ progression from desirable masculine traits (e.g. Toughness, aggression).
- Refer to Miller’s focal concerns or Messerschmit (gangs are the location for “doing” masculinity).
- Harding / Campbell – boys turn to deviant subcultures when they have blocked avenues for legitimately achieving masculinity.
- Simon Winlow – masculinity and the night time economy.
- Katz – young males commit crime for pleasure / thrill / risk taking.
- The relationship between masculinity and ethnicity; e.g. anti-school subcultures; hyper masculinity (e.g. Sewell; Mac an Ghail).
- Any other relevant response
AO2: Application
The selected knowledge should be directly related to the specific question.
AO3: Analysis and Evaluation
The following list is indicative of possible factors/evidence that candidates may refer to in evaluation but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
- Connell –there are other types of masculinity, other than hegemonic masculinity; For example, marginalised masculinity (unemployed males) and subordinate masculinity (homosexual males ) are not usually associated with them joining deviant subcultures in the form of gangs.