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Focal concerns

Walter Miller's subcultural explanation of why young working-class males commit crime centres on the idea that they are socialised into a particular set of norms and values that he calls focal concerns. These are not essentially criminal but increase the risk or likelihood of criminal behaviour. They include autonomy, toughness, excitement and fatalism. Some feminist critics of Miller suggest that these qualities essentially describe masculinity rather than a particular subculture of young working-class men. Others question whether some of the concerns might not also be shared by young working-class women and, if so, why are they still less likely to commit crime?