Jock Young

Jock Young (1942-2013) was a British sociologist and criminologist who significantly influenced critical criminology and the sociology of deviance. He was a founding figure of left realism criminology and made major contributions to subcultural theory, moral panic analysis, and the study of social exclusion. Young gained prominence in the 1970s with his work "The Drugtakers" (1971), which examined drug use in London and challenged conventional criminological assumptions. His research on moral panics and the role of media in criminalizing youth subcultures proved highly influential in sociological theory. Throughout his career at various institutions including Middlesex University and the City University of New York, Young developed theories about relative deprivation and social bulimia - concepts exploring how societies simultaneously include and exclude certain groups. His later works, including "The Exclusive Society" (1999) and "The Vertigo of Late Modernity" (2007), analyzed social disruption in late modern societies. Young's theoretical frameworks continue to influence contemporary discussions of crime, deviance, and social justice. His critique of administrative criminology and emphasis on understanding crime within broader social contexts remains relevant in current criminological debates.

Readers recommend Young's works for their detailed analysis of criminology and deviance theory, particularly "The Drugtakers" and "The New Criminology." Many highlight his accessible writing style that connects academic concepts to real-world examples. Positive reviews focus on Young's critique of traditional criminology and his integration of social context into crime analysis. Graduate students and professors mention his work helps frame critical discussions. Common criticisms include dense academic language in some sections and dated examples in earlier works from the 1970s. Some readers note repetition between chapters. Ratings: Goodreads - The Criminological Imagination: 4.1/5 (43 ratings) - The Vertigo of Late Modernity: 3.9/5 (28 ratings) Amazon - The New Criminology: 4.2/5 (12 reviews) - Cultural Criminology: An Invitation: 4.0/5 (8 reviews) Most academic reviewers cite Young's influence on critical criminology, though newer readers sometimes struggle with the theoretical complexity.

The Drugtakers: The Social Meaning of Drug Use (1971) An ethnographic study of marijuana users in London's Notting Hill, examining drug use as a socially constructed phenomenon.

The New Criminology: For a Social Theory of Deviance (1973) A critical analysis of traditional criminological theories, proposing a radical alternative that links crime to social and economic conditions.

What Is To Be Done About Law and Order? (1984) An examination of crime control policies in Britain during the Thatcher era and their social implications.

The Exclusive Society: Social Exclusion, Crime and Difference in Late Modernity (1999) An analysis of how late modern society creates social exclusion and its relationship to crime.

Cultural Criminology: An Invitation (2008) A comprehensive overview of cultural criminology, exploring how culture intersects with crime and criminal justice.

The Criminological Imagination (2011) A critique of contemporary criminology's methodological approaches and its relationship with power structures.

The Vertigo of Late Modernity (2007) An exploration of insecurity, exclusion, and identity in contemporary society.