The Delinquent Solution: A Study in Subcultural Theory

299 Pages·1966·7.688 MB·English

by  David Downes

Routledge Revivals
The Delinquent Solution
First published in 1966, The Delinquent Solution presents a study of
crime associated with the nature of subcultures. The book discusses
issues such as the concept and theory of subcultures, the life of delin-
quent gangs, and the English experience of delinquent subcultures. It
also takes an in-depth look at the Stepney and Poplar survey on crime
from 1960, analysing both statistical data and more informal observa-
tions. Although the book was written over forty years ago, the issues
discussed remain relevant and strong areas of interest.
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The Delinquent Solution
A Study in Subcultural Theory
David M. Downes
Firstpublishedin1966
byRoutledge&KeganPaul
Thiseditionfirstpublishedin2013byRoutledge
2ParkSquare,MiltonPark,Abingdon,Oxon,OX144RN
SimultaneouslypublishedintheUSAandCanada
byRoutledge
711ThirdAvenue,NewYork,NY10017
RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness
©1966DavidM.Downes
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
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Thepublisherhasgonetogreatlengthstoensurethequalityofthisreprintbut
pointsoutthatsomeimperfectionsintheoriginalcopiesmaybeapparent.
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ALibraryofCongressrecordexistsunderISBN:66072480
ISBN13:978-0-415-84202-0(hbk)
ISBN13:978-0-203-76333-9(ebk)
THE
DELINQUENT
SOLUTION
A Study in Subcultural Theory
by
DAVID M. DOWNES
LONDON
ROUTLEDGE & KEGAN PAUL
First published 1966
by Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd
Broadway House, 68-74 Carter Lane
London, E.C.4
Printed in Great Britain
bj Blackie and Son Ltd
Bishopbriggs, Glasgow
© David M. Downes 1966
No part of this book may be reproduced
in any form without permission from
the publisher, except for the quotation
of brief passages in criticism
for Lester
CONTENTS
preface page ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xi
1. THE CONCEPT OF THE DELINQUENT SUBCULTURE I
2. DELINQUENT GANGS 12
3. AMERICAN THEORISATION OND ELINQUENT SUBCULTURES 22
I. The Focus of Attention 25
II. Structural Location 30
III. The Problems of Adjustment 34
IV. The Subcultural Solution: 42
(a) The Elimination of Guilt 43
(b) Delinquent and Alternative Responses 46
(c) Subcultural Differentiation 49
V. The Stability of Delinquent Subcultures 54
VI. Conclusions 5 6
4. EXTENSIONS AND CRITIQUES OF SUBCULTURAL
THEORISATION 62
(a) * Limiting’ critiques 63
(b) cExtensive’ critiques 68
(c) eApplied’ validation 84
(d) ‘Basic’ validation 95
(e) Conclusion 99
5. DELINQUENT SUBCULTURES—THE ENGLISH EXPERIENCE IOO
I. The Working-Class ‘Subculture’ 101
II. The Non-existent Gang 116
III. Delinquent Subcultures 123
IV. ‘Teenage’ Culture 129
V. Conclusions 134
v
Contents
6. DELINQUENT SUBCULTURES IN STEPNEY AND POPLAR!
STATISTICAL SURVEY page 137
I. Predictions on Delinquency Distribution In­
ferred from Theory 138
II. Patterns of Crime Commission in Stepney and
Poplar 140
III. Patterns of Delinquent Residence in Stepney and
Poplar 150
IV. Conclusions 189
7. DELINQUENT SUBCULTURES IN STEPNEY AND POPLAR:
INFORMAL OBSERVATION 195
(a) ‘Gang or Group? 198
(b) Non-utilitarian 202
(c) Malice 204
(d) Negativism 205
(e) Versatility 206
(/) Short-run Hedonism 206
(g) Group Autonomy 207
Summary 207
(h) Criminal 208
(;) Conflict 212
(J) Retreatist 215
(k) IntegratedjUnintegrated Areas 223
(/) Age-level Integration 227
(m) Subcultural Integration 229
Summary 229
{n) Status Frustration 230
(0) Alienation 236
(p) Anomie 241
(q) ‘Subterranean’ Values and Leisure Goals 243
(r) * Sexual Deprivation’ 251
(s) Conclusion 253
8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 255
I. Summary 255
II. Conclusions 259
{a) Work and Education 262
(1b) Leisure 267
BIBLIOGRAPHY ZJO
INDEX 279
vi
TABLES
1. Distribution of Offences by Borough: i960 page 141
2. Offenders residing in Stepney and Poplar by Number
and Proportion within each borough committing
Types of Offence: i960 154
3. Distribution of Stepney and Poplar offenders by Age
and Sex: i960 156
4. Distribution of Group (c) offenders by Areas of resi­
dence, Age and Sex 15 7
5. Distribution of Offences by Age-Group and Residence:
8-12 160
6. Distribution of Offences by Age-Group and Residence:
13-16 161
7. Distribution of Offences by Age-Group and Residence:
17-21 162
8. Distribution of Offences by Age-Group and Residence:
22-25 *63
9. Delinquent Residence: ‘Natural’ Areas: 8-12 166
10. Delinquent Residence: ‘Natural’Areas: 13-16 168
11. Delinquent Residence:‘Natural’Areas: 17-21 169
12. Delinquent Residence: ‘Natural’Areas: 22-25 I7°
13. Delinquent Residence: ‘Natural’ Areas: 8-25 171
14. Location of Offences: (a) Stepney Residents, (b) Poplar
Residents 175
15. ‘Multiple’ Offenders: Both Boroughs 176
16. Accomplice Rate by Borough and Age-Group 178
vii