DEVIANT SUBCULTURE

A subculture which has values and norms which differ substantially from those of the majority in a
society.

A deviant subculture is a subculture, which has values and norms that differ substantially from the
majority of people in a society. When the structure of a neighborhood or community favors criminal
activity, a criminal subculture is likely to develop, such as the Mafia in the 1930s or inner city gangs
today.

There are several reasons for the formation of deviant

subcultures. For example, Marxist subcultural
sociologistsstate that the formation of deviant subcultures
express their symbolic resistance through style to the
inequalities of the capitalist system.
One reason for the formation of deviant subcultures is that it
is a response to the actions of agents of social controlsuch as
the media.

A second reason that has been offered for the formation of

deviant subcultures is because of the status frustration that
is created by your position in a class-stratified society.

A third reason for the formation of deviant subcultures is the

notion that certain members of society suffer from relative
deprivation (do not have the things that everyone else takes
for granted e.g. mobile phones) and are, therefore,
marginalised(ignored by mainstream society).

One of the example of deviant subculture in our society is homosexuality

drug users
swingers
prostitutes and other sex workers
victims of stigma like the obese, disabled and chronically ill
religious groups