Social Control Theory Essay
Control Theory
The Control Theory can also be used to explain the crimes committed by Briere. Control theorists begin with the premise that all people will commit crimes if there are not adequate social controls to prevent it. The question therefore would not be why did Briere grab Holly on that fateful spring day, but what prevented him from doing it prior to his 35th year. According to Detective Greenaway, one of the most sobering revelations during the investigation of this offence was the discovery that there were over 250 registered sex offenders within a three kilometer radius of Holly Jone’s house. With that many sexual deviants, how is it that these types of offences do not occur more often? According to the theory, there are three …show more content…
In Briere’s case, he was raised by a single mother. Detective Greenaway reports that Briere was actually removed from the home by children’s aid after allegations of sexual abuse were brought forward by concerned neighbours. He was eventually returned to the home, a decision which Briere describes as, “the worst thing that could have happened,” Greenaway quotes. Clearly Briere must have been confused about the rules involving sex with children if his primary caregiver was abusing him on an ongoing basis. Direct control also involves the monitoring of behaviour. At the time of the offence, Briere was living alone and had no one questioning his behaviour. He had no previous convictions so was not receiving counselling nor did he have strong community ties.
Stake in conformity refers to the degree to which an individual feels they have too much to lose by engaging in socially unacceptable behaviour. While Briere was employed, he worked at an entry level job and did not have an emotional investment in the company he worked for. According to Greenaway, the investigators were unable to find a co-worker who knew anything about him. He had no family to speak of and no real friends. Without any concerns about how the people who love you will react to your crimes, Briere felt less restricted in his obligation to
The Control Theory can also be used to explain the crimes committed by Briere. Control theorists begin with the premise that all people will commit crimes if there are not adequate social controls to prevent it. The question therefore would not be why did Briere grab Holly on that fateful spring day, but what prevented him from doing it prior to his 35th year. According to Detective Greenaway, one of the most sobering revelations during the investigation of this offence was the discovery that there were over 250 registered sex offenders within a three kilometer radius of Holly Jone’s house. With that many sexual deviants, how is it that these types of offences do not occur more often? According to the theory, there are three …show more content…
In Briere’s case, he was raised by a single mother. Detective Greenaway reports that Briere was actually removed from the home by children’s aid after allegations of sexual abuse were brought forward by concerned neighbours. He was eventually returned to the home, a decision which Briere describes as, “the worst thing that could have happened,” Greenaway quotes. Clearly Briere must have been confused about the rules involving sex with children if his primary caregiver was abusing him on an ongoing basis. Direct control also involves the monitoring of behaviour. At the time of the offence, Briere was living alone and had no one questioning his behaviour. He had no previous convictions so was not receiving counselling nor did he have strong community ties.
Stake in conformity refers to the degree to which an individual feels they have too much to lose by engaging in socially unacceptable behaviour. While Briere was employed, he worked at an entry level job and did not have an emotional investment in the company he worked for. According to Greenaway, the investigators were unable to find a co-worker who knew anything about him. He had no family to speak of and no real friends. Without any concerns about how the people who love you will react to your crimes, Briere felt less restricted in his obligation to