INTRODUCTION
Criminal justice professionals and academics work to understand why some people engage in criminal behaviors and others do not. In other words, what makes a criminal into a criminal? There are many theories that have been developed to explain deviance or criminal behavior. Some believe that criminal behavior is a choice and are deserving of consequences, while others argue that some offenders are predispositioned for it; they are not entirely responsible for their actions. Two of those theories worthy of discussion are Social Control Theory and Subculture Theory.
Social Control Theory argues that people turn to deviances and criminal behavior because they are no longer operating under the rules and within the norms. The Social Control theorists believe that people follow rules, obey laws and do not commit crimes because culture and society discouraged it, they are also fearful of the consequences for deviant behaviors, However, if someone does not feel connected to their community and their society then they are more likely to cease feeling those restraints and will turn to criminal behavior (Adler, Laufer & Mueller, 2012). In simplest terms, without enforced rules no one would be compelled to conform to society so easily. Subculture Theory argues that subcultures are made up of individuals that generally defy the norm; this does not necessarily mean that they engage in criminal behavior. Many subcultures form from those who have low social status are likely to create a subculture that is made-up of likeminded and socially distressed individuals, where the subculture gives them a value, a community and status to the members (Adler, Laufer & Mueller, 2012). In other words subculture are made up of likeminded people who share common experiences and face similar issues that communally sets them at odds with the norms around them.
Given the theories above it is really not surprising that some people are eager to enter in a subculture, even dangerous ones, like gang culture. In the end Social Control Theory and Subculture Theory are just two of many theories dedicated to understanding deviant and criminal behavior of some members of society; understanding these things will make it easier to prevent and deter crime in the future in a more proactive and effective way.
REFRENCES
Adler, F., Laufer, W. and Mueller, G.O. (2012). Criminology. 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill
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