According to Siegel (2013) Albert Cohen developed the theory of delinquent subcultures in his classic 1995 book, Delinquent Boys. Cohen believes that the delinquent behavior of lower-class youth actually goes against the norms and values ​​of middle-class American culture. These young people experience what he calls status frustration because of the social conditions that allow them to legitimately achieve success. As a result of this social conflict, young people join gangs and become involved in “non-utilitarian, malicious and negativistic” behavior. This gang subculture has a value system directly opposite that of the larger society. Their social norms are completely opposite. Their conduct is right by the standards of their subculture because it is wrong by the norms of the larger culture. According to Cohen, the development of the delinquent subculture is a consequence of the socialization practices present in the ghetto or in the urban environment. Cohen suggests that lower-class parents are unable to teach their children the skills necessary to enter the dominant middle-class culture. As a result, these young people lack the basic skills needed to achieve social and economic success in America's demanding society. In addition to adequate education, they also lack the education necessary to build a solid foundation of knowledge or socialization. Some of the consequences of these deprivations include developmental handicaps, poor language and communication skills, and the inability to delay gratification (Siegel, 2013). Middle class benchmarks are standards set by authority figures such as teachers, employers, or supervisors. One of the main causes of delinquency is the inability of these young people to make a positive impression on these authority figures and to satisfy the...... middle of paper... 2011. Network. 18 February 2014. .Horsley, Scott. “The Income Gap: Unfair or Are We Just Jealous?” NPR. NPR and Web. February 18, 2014. ."Income Inequality in America The 99 Percent." The economist. The Economist newspaper, 26 October 2011. Web. 18 February 2014. < http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/10/income-inequality-america?page=1Income >. Siegel, L. "Victims and victimization". Theories, models and typologies of criminalology. 11th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2013. PrintValdez, M. “Occupy Protests Move to Foreclosed Homes.” Yahoo Finance. Yahoo Finance, December 6, 2011. Web. February 18, 2014. < http://finance.yahoo.com/news/occupy-protests-move-foreclosed-homes-222757553.html >.