Subcultures, Delinquency, and Social Relations: An Analysis of Longitudinal Social Network Data

• In Event: Theoretical Developments in Learning and Subculture Theories

Abstract

The current project examines the predictors of an adolescent’s subcultural involvement, as well as the effect of a subcultural preference upon individual delinquency, school bonding, and family relations. Building upon and extending Cohen’s (1955) deviant subculture theory, as well as upon Hagan’s (1991) party subculture concept, we use longitudinal, social network data to identify two distinct types of subcultures among adolescents: a delinquent subculture and a drinking subculture. Ultimately, we find that popularity and school grades are significant predictors of engaging in a deviant subculture. Then, belonging to a deviant subculture increases individual delinquent involvement, as well as decreases school bonding and family relations. We find a similar pattern for belonging to a drinking subculture, indicating that subcultural research should expand beyond solely focusing on the effects resultant of a delinquent subculture. Finally, we find that the social class of the adolescent moderates the adverse effects resulting from belonging to a subculture, with the “class effect” varying between subcultures.

Authors

• Douglas A Baals, Pennsylvania State University

• Nayan Ramirez, Penn State University