Social class and youth deviance

Patterns in youth crime by social class

• Concentration among the poorest groups - Studies indicate that most young people involved in crime come from the poorest approximately one-fifth of the population.
• Persistent offenders and class background - Research on youth detention centres (secure facilities for young offenders) reveals that a small minority, less than 12 per cent of those repeatedly committing crimes have middle-class backgrounds.

Territorial gangs and deprived areas

Studies show that territorial street gangs primarily form in the most economically and socially deprived urban districts in British cities. For example, many of those convicted for offences during the 2011 London riots came from such backgrounds, often had poor school performance and were involved in gangs.

Youth subcultures and class origins

• Spectacular youth subcultures - These groups are mostly working-class in origin. However, sociologist Mike Brake (in studies from 1977 and 1985) noted an exception with the 1960s hippy culture, which was largely middle-class because it appealed to university students who had more freedom to experiment with alternative lifestyles.
• School-based subcultures - Anti-school subcultures are mainly made up of working-class youths. In contrast, academic subcultures tend to include a higher proportion of middle-class pupils.

Gender and youth deviance

Gender ratios in youth crime

Youth crime is predominantly committed by males, who outnumber female offenders by a ratio of about 4:1. For instance, Ministry of Justice data from 2012 to 2013 indicate that approximately 78 per cent of proven delinquent offences were by males. Over the previous decade, the share of offences by young women varied from roughly 15 per cent to 21 per cent. Additionally, in 2013, approximately 93 per cent of young people in youth detention centres were male.

Role of police stereotyping in gender differences

Evidence suggests police officers are less likely to view girls as delinquent, making them less prone to stopping young females on the street. If girls are stopped, officers are more inclined to issue informal cautions (verbal warnings) rather than arresting or charging them. In contrast, males face greater surveillance because they are often labelled as potentially deviant. This softer treatment for females may contribute to the lower recorded rates of female youth deviance, as their actions are less likely to enter official statistics.

Ethnicity and youth deviance

While most youth crime in the UK is committed by white British young people, statistics suggest disproportionate involvement among some ethnic minorities.

Ethnic patterns in official crime statistics

Official Crime Statistics indicate that Black youths (particularly those of African-Caribbean descent) appear over-represented in youth crime relative to their population size. Despite this, the vast majority of offences are still committed by white British youths.

Evidence of racial profiling

Strong research evidence suggests racial profiling is a key factor in ethnic differences. For example, official police stop and search statistics from 2011 reveal that young African-Caribbean men were around seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than young white men.