Question

In their early teens, Juan, Cole and Hardy live in areas where both conventional and delinquent activities are limited and adult role models are absent. Applying differential opportunity theory, Juan, Cole and Hardy are likely to join one of three types of gangs in order to achieve what they consider success. Juan, for example, lives on the fringe of society and is constantly looking for ways to get high; he has consumed alcohol, smoked pot and enjoys what some would consider unusual sexual experiences. He has been involved in a few fights, but is not very good at fighting. Since Juan spends a lot of time high, it is difficult to know whether his failed attempts at fighting were due to fear, clumsiness or sheer weakness. What type of gang is Juan likely to join?

Answer 1

Answer: criminal gang

Explanation:

What is differential opportunity theory ?

This theory states that if people are faced with low socioeconomic status from their upbringing and have less available opportunities to succeed they will grasp and use whatever is available to achieve their desired success even it means going all illegally .

They are three subcultures under this theory which are crime, conflict and retreatist.

These subcultures are dependent on the environment.

Crime: In an environment where there are already available gang members or groups a person is likely to view that as an alternative towards achieving their desired success. A person or a teen will join these gang members and improve themselves within these groups based on available positions.

Conflict: is where teens fight to dominate and can be only recognised or accepted within these groups based on how they win these conflicts to obtain dominance they have to fight for their positions otherwise they can't be considered. Juan has failed in this due to the fact that he can't win the fights.

Retreatist in this subculture a person has to be considered if they can successfully use drugs. Juan has tried all drugs but had failed on this part also hence we can conclude that he will eventually join the crime subculture.