Sociology Now, Census Update

For example, there are groups of African Americans (“Afrocentrists” or even

some of the Nation of Islam) who proclaim black superiority. Some feminist

women proclaims that women’s ways are better than the dominant “male” way.

These trends try to turn the tables on the dominant group. (Warning:Do not

attempt this if you are the only member of your group in a confrontation with

members of the dominant group.)

These three responses to stigma depend on the size and strength of the stigmatized

group. If you’re all alone, minstrelizing may be a lifesaving technique. If there are many

of you and you are strong, you might try to militantly turn the tables.

Deviant Subcultures

Asubcultureis a group that evolves within a dominant culture, always more or less

hidden and closed to outsiders. It may be a loose association of friends who share the

same interests, or it may be well organized, with its own alternative language, cos-

tumes, and media. While most subcultures are not deviant, the separation from the

dominant culture allows deviant subcultures to develop their own norms and values.

For a deviant subculture to develop, the activity, condition, identity, and so on must

meet three characteristics:

1.It must be punished but not punished too much. If it is not punished enough,

potential recruits have no motivation to seek out the subculture. If it is punished

too much, the risks of membership are too great.

2.It must have enough participants but not too many. If it has too few participants,

it will be hard to seek them out locally. If it has too many, it would be pointless.

3.It must be complex but not too complex. If it is not complex enough, you could

engage in it by yourself. If it is too complex, it could exist only within a counter-

culture or dominant culture: You would need a college degree.

Notice that each of these criteria is not a simple either/or proposition, but rather the

achievement of a balance or middle way between heavy punishment and leniency and

between size and complexity.

172 CHAPTER 6DEVIANCE AND CRIME

Deviants or Folk Heroes? Jesse
James and the Black Panthers
were considered criminals by
law enforcement agencies, but
they were folk heroes in their
communities, celebrated in
folk songs and tributes. 3