Delinquency and Opportunity, a Theory of Delinquent Gangs

by Lloyd E Ohlin, Richard A. Cloward, Lloyd E. Cloward, Richard A. & Ohlin

Book Overview

First published in 1998. This is Volume VI of the twelve in the Sociology of Youth and Adolescence series and focuses on delinquent subcultures and theories around masculine identification,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0006D6E60
• Release Date: January 1960
• Publisher: Free Press
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Still ahead of its time

Delinquency and Opportunity provided the theoretical foundation for programs aimed at reducing the incidence of juvenile delinquency during the Kennedy Administration. Cloward and Ohlin hold that human beings are rational seekers of opportunity. If the only sources of opportunity are illicit ones, then juveniles will resort to illicit means, a rational thing to do. At the same time, the same delin1nquents will develop a moral code -- an enabling cultural rationale -- to legitimate their illicit activities. The simplest would be "there is no opportunity so we have no choice." "Another would be "we live in an inherently crooked social system, so why comply to norms that others routinely ignore." This is a remarkably honest, thoroughly researched, and wonderfully insightful book. It's theme is much like that of Paul Wilis' in Learning to Labor: reciprocity is essential to a stable society, It also brings to mind Schwarz's notion that no society can survive on incantations alone. A great book replete with observations that apply just as usefully today as when it was written, nearly fifty years ago.