Sociology Essay
Delinquent subcultures are a relevant and dominant aspect of crime in Australia. Albert Cohen 's theory of delinquent subcultures can be applied to many cases of criminal activity in Australia, especially regarding working-class youth subcultures. The murder of Janine Balding in 1988 is a case that can be related to Cohen 's theory, as the crime was committed by a gang of five homeless youths in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. A combination of neglect, status frustration and inverted ethics, all attributes of Cohen 's theory, lead to one of the most astonishing crimes in Australia which resulted in three life sentences of imprisonment. Cohen 's theory offers insight into the formations of juvenile delinquent …show more content…
Cohen 's studies stemmed from Robert Merton 's strain theory, and Edwin Sutherland 's differential association theory. In his 1955 book, Delinquent Boys: Culture of the Gang, Cohen described that boys who find themselves unable to achieve cultural goals in society through legitimate and conventional processes enter a phase of 'status frustration ', and respond by forming or becoming a member of a deviant subculture (Cook 2012, McCord, n.d). Delinquent subcultures invert values and norms held by the rest of a mainstream conforming society. Cohen argued that “similar ideas tend to arise among people who experience similar social circumstances” (Bernard, 2015; Cohen, 1955). Unlike Merton 's theory, Cohen identifies and acknowledges the causes and motives for non-utilitarian crimes. Cohen recognises that the formation of subcultures could be attributed a collective of individuals in society sustaining themselves through dependency on unconventional methods, and rejecting and inverting cultural goals. Delinquent subcultures allow for deviant youths to receive a “psychological and emotional well-being” to its members, through the accomplishment of a deviant act relative to the subculture (Williams, …show more content…
Balding was forced into her car at knife-point, partially stripped of her clothing, raped several times on the drive to a dam in Minchinbury where she was hog-tied, carried into a paddock and left to drown in the dam (LIAC Crime Library, n.d). Involved in the murder was Bronson Blessington (aged 14), Matthew Elliott (aged 16), Stephen 'Shorty ' Jamieson (aged 22), Wayne Wilmot (aged 15), and Carol Arrow (aged 18). Blessington, Elliott and Jamieson partook in the rape and murder of Janine Balding, while Wilmot drove the car, and Arrow was situated in the passenger seat. Earlier that day, Blessing, Jamieson and Elliott became acquainted at a homeless shelter named 'The Station ' in Sydney 's CBD. Blessington proposed "How about we go and get a sheila and rape her?"; this appears to be the only motive of the crime, as victim Janine Balding was an unmethodical choice. Elliott and Jamieson acceded, and couple Wilmot and Arrow joined. Blessington, Elliott and Jamieson were sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole on the charges of murder, abduction, sexual assault and robbery (LIAC Crime Library,
Delinquent subcultures are a relevant and dominant aspect of crime in Australia. Albert Cohen 's theory of delinquent subcultures can be applied to many cases of criminal activity in Australia, especially regarding working-class youth subcultures. The murder of Janine Balding in 1988 is a case that can be related to Cohen 's theory, as the crime was committed by a gang of five homeless youths in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. A combination of neglect, status frustration and inverted ethics, all attributes of Cohen 's theory, lead to one of the most astonishing crimes in Australia which resulted in three life sentences of imprisonment. Cohen 's theory offers insight into the formations of juvenile delinquent …show more content…
Cohen 's studies stemmed from Robert Merton 's strain theory, and Edwin Sutherland 's differential association theory. In his 1955 book, Delinquent Boys: Culture of the Gang, Cohen described that boys who find themselves unable to achieve cultural goals in society through legitimate and conventional processes enter a phase of 'status frustration ', and respond by forming or becoming a member of a deviant subculture (Cook 2012, McCord, n.d). Delinquent subcultures invert values and norms held by the rest of a mainstream conforming society. Cohen argued that “similar ideas tend to arise among people who experience similar social circumstances” (Bernard, 2015; Cohen, 1955). Unlike Merton 's theory, Cohen identifies and acknowledges the causes and motives for non-utilitarian crimes. Cohen recognises that the formation of subcultures could be attributed a collective of individuals in society sustaining themselves through dependency on unconventional methods, and rejecting and inverting cultural goals. Delinquent subcultures allow for deviant youths to receive a “psychological and emotional well-being” to its members, through the accomplishment of a deviant act relative to the subculture (Williams, …show more content…
Balding was forced into her car at knife-point, partially stripped of her clothing, raped several times on the drive to a dam in Minchinbury where she was hog-tied, carried into a paddock and left to drown in the dam (LIAC Crime Library, n.d). Involved in the murder was Bronson Blessington (aged 14), Matthew Elliott (aged 16), Stephen 'Shorty ' Jamieson (aged 22), Wayne Wilmot (aged 15), and Carol Arrow (aged 18). Blessington, Elliott and Jamieson partook in the rape and murder of Janine Balding, while Wilmot drove the car, and Arrow was situated in the passenger seat. Earlier that day, Blessing, Jamieson and Elliott became acquainted at a homeless shelter named 'The Station ' in Sydney 's CBD. Blessington proposed "How about we go and get a sheila and rape her?"; this appears to be the only motive of the crime, as victim Janine Balding was an unmethodical choice. Elliott and Jamieson acceded, and couple Wilmot and Arrow joined. Blessington, Elliott and Jamieson were sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole on the charges of murder, abduction, sexual assault and robbery (LIAC Crime Library,