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Cultural Criminology - Coggle Diagram
Cultural Criminology
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Mike Presdee (2004)
Presdee and others argue that societies have always given people 'cultural spaces' to engage in deviant activity at certain agreed times of the year. E.g At carnivals, expression of emotion and resentment at the higher order in pre-capitalist society. At the end, social order returned to normal. The search for the carnivalesque becomes an essential element within the culture of everyday life, promising freedom.
Presdee suggests that because there is no modern equivalent of this form of carnival, expression of emotions and rejection of the current social order have no formalised outlet so anti-social behaviour results. If there were greater opportunities for 'carnival' the need for transgression would be reduced.
Presdee (2004) points out that in any one week in England and Wales there are on average 2,100 fires recorded which are started deliberately and result in at least two deaths and costs £40m. Presdee asked sixth formers what the meaning of fire was to them. He found that on certain occasions, the thrill of fire is utilised. Presdee observed the Nov 5th celebrations as young people were having an 'unofficial' bonfire, participating in 'edgework' with the possibility of danger.
Evaluation
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Hayward and Young (2012) believe it can be combined with other approaches, complimenting rather than contradicting more structural approaches that examine issues such as inequality in society as a whole. They argue cultural criminology is particular relevant in late modernity because of increased emphasis upon identity, expressivity and individualism. Argue it compliments the left realist 'square of crime'.
However, some other writers have explored more substantial issues like Anderson (1999) exploring the idea of 'respect' in inner-city areas of the US. He argues that the desire for respect and search for self-esteem is a powerful emotional need for everyone and particularly young males (toughness and masculinity).