Book Reviews : Cultural Factors in Delinquency T. C. N. Gibbens & R. H. Ahrenfeldt
| Author | W.B. Utting |
| Published date | 01 June 1967 |
| Date | 01 June 1967 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/026455056701300215 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
58
cations
to
sociological
theories
are
dis-
cussed,
and
then
three
main
types
of
sociological
theory.
Anomie
is
the
conse-
quence
of
lack
of
co-ordination
between
the
major
goals
ordained
by
society
and
the
legitimate
means
available
for
their
attainment.
Cultural
transmission
theory
suggests
that
criminality
is
infectious
rather
like
the
common
cold.
Role
theory
proposes
that
much
delinquency
is
the
result
of
its
prescription
by
the
norms
of
particular
roles.
The
author
suggests
that
the
integration
of
these
three
types
of
theory
could
go
a
long
way
towards
pro-
viding
a
basis
for
explaining
deviance.
This
is
a
meaty
book,
highly
recommended
to
those
with
strong
stomachs.
Delinquency.
Social
Support
and
Con-
trol
Systems
is
a
reprint
of
two
lec-
tures
delivered
a-t
the
London
School
of
Economics.
The
author
suggests
improvements
to
government
administra-
tion,
more
self-help
organisations
for
problem
groups,
and
more
informed
com-
ment
by
the
Press
on
social
issues.
JONATHAN
MOFFETT
Cultural
Factors
in
Delinquency
T.
C.
N.
Gibbens
&
R.
H.
Ahrenfeldt
(Editors)
Tavistock
Publications
35s.
This
is
the
report
of
a
conference
organised
by
the
World
Federation
for
Mental
Health
at
Topeka
in
1964.
A
study
group
made
up
of
members
of
various
disciplines
from
sixteen
countries
met
there
for
one
week
to
discuss
cul-
tural
aspects
of
delinquency.
This
book
is
more
than
just
a
record
of
its
delibera-
tions.
Conference
reports
are
notoriously
cruel
mementoes
of
exciting
occasions,
embalming
acceptable
truths
in
a
welter
of
trivialities.
This
one
has
the
disad-
vantages
of
its
occasion
and
its
theme;
it
is
a
survey,
necessarily
thin
in
parts,
of
what
is
already
known,
rather
than
a
spring-board
to
new
learning.
Within
these
limitations,
however,
it
is
evident
that
the
conference
was
a
productive
and
broadening
experience
for the
partici-
pants.
Obvious
also
is
the
skill
and
expertise
of
the
editors.
They
modestly
aim
their
review
at
the
reader &dquo;
who
has
neither
the
time
nor
the
specialized
know-
ledge
to
study
the
vast
literature,&dquo;
and
have
given
it
a
wide
appeal.
The
surface
of
complex
issues
is
delicately
and
clearly
explored.
Arguments
are
evenly
stated
and
the
necessary
qualifications
always
made,
but
always
without
unnecessary
repetition.
The
book
takes
us
through
definitions
of
crime
and
delinquency ;
various
special
issues-sex,
age,
class,
the
Police ;
social
theory
about
subcultures ;
controls ;
statis-
tics ;
learning
behaviour ;
and
aspects
of
the
world
situation.
I
found
not
much
that
was
new,
but
the
editors
maintained
my
interest
through
a
unity
of
style
that
overcame
their
diffuse
material.
Otto
Klinberg’s
concluding
overview,
however,
is
disappointingly
superficial.
~
z
The
interested
layman
who
reads
this
book
will
gain
many
new
insights
into
the
ways
in
which
the
experience
of
every-
day
life
in
every
society
produces
delin-
quent
behaviour.
The
professional
worker
will
find
it
an
enjoyable
revision,
laced
with
a
healthy
warning
of
ineffectiveness
if
he
cloisters
himself
in
his
own
disci-
pline.
The
editors
of
the
book
have
provided
a
short
trot
with
many
cultured
minds,
moving
intermittently
towards
a
single
goal.
W.
B.
UTTING
Decision
in
Child
Care
R.
A.
Parker
George
Allen
and
Unwin
26s.
Subtitled
‘ A
Study
of
Prediction
in
Fostering,’
this
is
number
eight
in
a
series
of
publications
by
the
National
Institute
for
Social
Work
Training.
Dr.
Parker
has
studied
the
factors
which
make
for
success
or
failure
in
the
place-
ment
with
foster
parents
of
children
in
care.
His
book
is
a
statistical
study,
using
a
predictive
technique,
of
a
sample
of
209
placements
made
by
the
Kent
County
Children’s
Department.
It
would
do
Dr.
Parker
less
than
justice
to
attempt
to
summarise
his
findings.
That
these
are
of
great
importance
to
all
those
concerned
in
the
placing
of
children
in
foster
homes
is
undeniable.
In
the
course
of
constructing
&dquo;
a
statistical
tool
which
would
be
a
viable
aid
to
social
work
practice,&dquo;
Dr.
Parker
raises
some
interest-
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