Delinquent Subculture - GCSE Sociology Definition

A delinquent subculture refers to a group within society whose values and norms deviate significantly from mainstream cultural expectations, often characterised by behaviours that are anti-social or criminal.

In the context of GCSE Sociology, this concept helps students understand how certain groups, often led by young people, form as a response to feelings of marginalisation or social inequality. These subcultures may reject the values of wider society, instead creating their own set of rules and status systems. This can lead to behaviours such as vandalism, theft, or other forms of rebellious activity as members seek to gain respect and recognition from their peers within the group.

Studying delinquent sub-cultures allows students to explore the social and environmental factors that influence deviant behaviour and the implications these groups have on broader societal structures.