What is a key characteristic of lower-class culture noted in criminology?

A key characteristic of lower-class culture noted in criminology is the acceptance of stealing as a norm. This viewpoint is rooted in the socio-economic conditions that often characterize lower-class environments, where individuals may feel marginalized or disadvantaged due to lack of opportunities, poverty, and systemic inequality. As a result, some individuals in these contexts might adopt behaviors such as theft or other forms of economic crime as a means of survival or economic necessity. In criminological theories, this behavior is often linked to subcultures that form in response to cultural norms and values that diverge from mainstream society.

This acceptance can also be understood through the lens of social norms that develop within certain communities. If stealing is normalized or justified within a group due to prevailing circumstances, individuals may be more likely to engage in such behaviors without experiencing the same level of stigma as in a different social context. Thus, this characteristic highlights the impact of societal structures and local cultural influences on behavior, particularly in relation to crime.