How does Cohen's Status Frustration theory explain delinquency among working-class boys?

Cohen's Status Frustration theory posits that working-class boys experience a sense of frustration and disappointment due to their inability to achieve the status and success defined by middle-class values, which is often represented through academic achievement and social recognition. This theory suggests that in contrast to the middle-class boys who can rely on their backgrounds and support systems to succeed in school, working-class boys find themselves at a disadvantage due to social and economic factors that limit their opportunities for success.

As a consequence, these boys may reject the values of the middle class, leading to the formation of a delinquent subculture. This subculture allows them to find alternative means of gaining status and respect among their peers, albeit through behavior that is typically recognized as deviant or criminal. By engaging in acts that are considered rebellious or delinquent, they create a new hierarchy where they can achieve status based on criteria apart from academic success.

In this context, the correct answer highlights how these boys suffer from cultural deprivation, meaning they lack the cultural tools that would enable them to succeed in the middle-class-driven educational system. This deprivation fuels their frustration and ultimately drives them towards delinquency as a way to cope with their experiences and seek validation.