Editing Organized crime (section)

====Cultural deviance====
Criminals violate the law because they belong to a unique subculture - the counter-culture - their values and norms conflicting with those of the working-, middle- or upper-classes upon which criminal laws are based. This subculture shares an alternative lifestyle, language and culture, and is generally typified by being tough, taking care of their own affairs and rejecting government authority. Role models include drug dealers, thieves and pimps, as they have achieved success and wealth not otherwise available through socially-provided opportunities. It is through modeling organized crime as a counter-cultural avenue to success that such organizations are sustained.<ref name="Akers 1973"/><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Akers | first1 = R. L. | title = Is Differential Association/social Learning Cultural Deviance Theory?* | doi = 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1996.tb01204.x | journal = Criminology | volume = 34 | issue = 2 | pages = 229–247 | year = 1996 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Agnew | first1 = R. | doi = 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1992.tb01093.x | title = Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency* | journal = Criminology | volume = 30 | pages = 47–88 | year = 1992 | s2cid = 144126837 }}</ref>