description Richard Cloward Overview
Richard A. Cloward was an American sociologist and social-work scholar associated with research on poverty, delinquency, and political organizing. With Lloyd E. Ohlin, he wrote Delinquency and Opportunity in 1960, developing an opportunity theory that linked forms of juvenile delinquency to unequal access to both legitimate and illegitimate means.
His work influenced criminology, social policy, community organizing, and American antipoverty programs.
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What is Richard Cloward's opportunity theory?
Richard Cloward, alongside Lloyd E. Ohlin, developed opportunity theory in their 1960 book "Delinquency and Opportunity." The theory argues that juvenile delinquency is not just a result of broken homes, but rather a normal response to a lack of legitimate avenues for success.
Who did Richard Cloward co-write "Delinquency and Opportunity" with?
Richard Cloward co-authored the 1960 foundational text "Delinquency and Opportunity" with sociologist Lloyd E. Ohlin. Together, they formulated the idea that youth turn to gangs and crime when they are blocked from accessing legal, successful career paths.
What political movements was Richard Cloward involved in?
Cloward was heavily involved in political organizing, most famously partnering with Frances Fox Piven to formulate the Cloward-Piven strategy. This strategy proposed that overwhelming the welfare system with applicants would force the government to enact systemic anti-poverty reforms.
Where did Richard Cloward teach and conduct his research?
Richard A. Cloward spent his career as a sociologist and social-work scholar at the Columbia University School of Social Work. From this position, he deeply influenced the fields of criminology, urban sociology, and social welfare policy.
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