High Life - Article Response

Using biographical narratives of male young offenders, the authors in this article find certain elements suggestive of the typical cultures that influence crime and masculinity. Furthermore, the role of consumption was explored in the construction of young male offenders. I found the exploration of consumption to be an interesting and surprising concept in regards to social relations.

The authors note that society launches individuals into competitive and highly individualistic consumer societies. As a business student, this is a concept that I am very much accustomed to. In our westernized society, we often view success, material wealth, and status as the direct results of hard work and determination. It was interesting to read the article that applied this same concept to the social relations involved with male crime. The reference to the “disneyland of pharmacology” painted an interesting picture - for many youth and adolescents, consumerism extends far beyond what some may deem as “acceptable” purchases and pleasures. The pressure to spend extends to every class and culture. On the social level referenced in this article, spending can be relative to symbolic rivalry, self-construction through acquisition, distinction, and approval.

In previous class discussions, many discourses that attempt to explain the behaviour of male offenders have been explored. I found this article to provide new insights and constructions to explain masculinity and identity in regards to street crime. In many articles, autonomy and power have been exemplified by the males interviewed in various studies. It is a common trend to act like a “thug” and to treat women as commodities. However, in previous articles, a common trend that was highlighted in the selection of study participants was that the men belonged to low socio-economic classes. Perhaps belonging to a lower socio-economic class is the motivator for obtaining credibility

...