almost with some pride as evidence that ’spirit’ has been shown .
The psychological model is one that accounts for delinquency.
The Law prescribes both behavioural norms and the punishment of
transgression of these norms. In a sense there would seem to be
a reflection of what Erikson describes as a period of moratorium,
where young people build a self-concept through trial and error.
Some delinquency is almost expected as a stage of development.
The dispensers of justice are there to see that there is
retribution, but their main purpose is to integrate the individual
back into the group by prescribing the correct mechanism. The
tolerance and support, in particular of the extended family, are
there to cushion re-integration into the community.
Acts of delinquency that are seen as part of development,
are also means of testing functional constancy. The individual sees
clearly that despite his delinquency he ’stands in relation always
to the same world’ and does not forfeit the right of ’occupying
a place of his own in the community’.
The people accept the norms made by the group, and its
punishments. The psychological model is ’real’ in its effects.
Deviancy, which is allowed for in the world of Strelley as a
developmental phase, is in sharp contrast to a deviant identity as
such.
De Levita discusses socialization into a deviant identity:
It is easier to derive a sense of identity from
a total identification with what one is least
supposed to be than to struggle for a feeling of
reality in acceptable roles which are unobtainable
with the (person’s) inner means.
1Taped interview