Now that we have a better understanding of the delineations of Strain theory,
Now that we have a better understanding of the delineations of Strain theory,
It is sometimes said that it is not how you play the game, but whether you win or lose. In considering the theory of strain, what social programs have been developed to address the strain theory and discuss how effective you feel they are? The Strain Theory attempts to explain how factors such as poverty, homelessness, lack of parenting and lack of opportunity are a major contributor to crime and the forming of delinquent subcultures. In order to circumvent these factors programs and resources were designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being, and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills.The first and foremost of these programs would be Head Start, Launched in 1965 by its creator and first director Jules Sugarman (Administration for Children and Family 's, 2013), Head Start was originally conceived as a catch-up summer school program that would teach low-income children in a few weeks what they needed to know to start kindergarten. Head Start helps to create healthy development in low-income children age’s three to five. It also offers services that depend on each child and family 's culture and experience, to influence all aspects of a child 's development and learning. Everyone in American society which includes the poorest of the poor are socialized to aspire toward high achievement and success. Competition and success rank amongst the highest values in American society, they are taught in school, glorified by public authorities, and glamorized by the media. In America ones worth is measured by material possessions and monetary success. This success however, is expected to be achieved through honest and conventional means. These conventional means are regulated by societal norms. The limitation to the strain theory is that it focuses very intensely on the opportunities given or lack thereof. It takes little into account in regards to other outside influences that may steer ones…
References: Akers, Ronald K., (2009). 'Social Disorganization, Anomie, Strain Theories '. In: (ed), Criminological Theories. 5th ed. New York, New York: Oxford University Press . pp.182-210.…
Strain theory means when individuals feel the strain of being pressured to succeed in socially approved ways, they turn to crime and delinquency. Studies indicate a positive relationship between strain and delinquency. Individuals exposed to various types of strain parental abuse, victimization, discrimination, peer abuse are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. The studies found that strain predicted anger, which in turn influenced deviant behaviors. Robert Agnew elaborates on characteristics of strain most likely leading to delinquency. He argues that strain, when perceived as unjust, high in magnitude, associated with low social control, or creating incentives for criminal coping, is more likely to be related to delinquent behaviors. Furthermore, he identifies specific types of strain parental rejection,…
There are many criminological theories to explain why crime and criminals work the way they work. Five theories are fit into a majority of today’s crime cases are Anomie theory by Emile Durkheim, General strain theory by Robert Agnew, Social Disorganization theory by Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay, Social Bonding theory by Travis Hirschi, and the Containment theory by Walter Reckless. Anomie is when there is a clear lack of social norms and values. This is common among teens who grew up in a dysfunctional, abusive family. General strain theory is used an individual is strained and unable to cope with the strain so they commit their time to doing crimes. Social Disorganization theory shows why certain neighborhoods experience more crime rates…
To understand the development of Strain Theory which was developed by Robert King Merton, we first have to examine the history context from Emile Durkheim. The beginning of Anomie Theory evolves from the famous Sociologist name Emile Durkheim. The term anomie is the any social or rapid changes in society that threatens or weakens the collective consciences which disable people the inability to form the shared values, norms, and beliefs. Therefore, individuals are unable to regulate each other behavior which results in crime (Durkheim, 1897; quoted in Lanier & Henry, 2004:238). As a student who studies under Emile Durkheim, Robert Merton borrows the term Anomie and uses it in his own languages. Merton transforms Anomie into his own language by asserting that the social structures within society that is culturally defined goals may pressure individuals to commit crime through illegitimate mean when people is face with block opportunity for them to gain access to the American dreams (Merton, 1995; quoted in Lanier & Henry, 2004:240). Those who are able to achieve the American dreams is subject to owning a house, car, and providing comfort. Other person who is restricted to the opportunity becomes strain. Though, some people who experiences strain does not commit crime, others other who expose to strain adapt to strain by five modes of adaptation. These five modes of adaptation include conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and…
References: Agnew, R., (1992), “Foundation For A General Strain Theory of Crime And Delinquency”, Criminology, Vol.30, pp.47-87.…
References: Florida State University. (n.d.). Robert Agnew 's General Strain Theory. Retrieved from Florida State University: http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/agnew.htm…
Agnew’s general strain theory is an extension on Merton’s strain theory. This theory argues there are three sources of strain: failure to achieve positive goals, introduction of negative stimuli, and the removal of positive stimuli. These sources and lead to an affective state classified by depression, anger, disappointment, and a withdrawn state. This can also lead to antisocial behaviors like drug and alcohol use, violence and dropping out of school. Agnew’s theory can be seen in Nicole’s scenario. Her failure to achieve success in school can be reflected by detention, trouble understanding course material and assignments, and ultimately dropping out of school. There were many introductions of negative stimuli that can be seen in Nicole’s…
References: 1. Agnew, R. (2003). A General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency. In F.T. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present (Essential readings) (2nd Ed.) (p. 208). Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing.…
Dr. Robert Agnew studied strain theory and spoke about the criticisms that were discovered in the original theory. The original strain theory found an increase in delinquency would result from an increase in aspirations as well as a decrease in expectations. This was later found to be false. The initial theory was a prediction of a focus of lower class delinquency. Research into this claim was found to be just as likely to happen in both middle and upper classes. The original strain theory ignored different variables, which Agnew addressed. Both the abandonment of crime in late adolescence as well as the quality of family relationships was overlooked (Agnew, 1985).…
Similar in importance to strain theory and social control theory, Differential Association theory was Sutherland 's major sociological contribution to criminology; . These theories all explain deviance in terms of the individual 's social relationships.…
References: Agnew, E. (2008). Strain Theories of Crime: When people get mad, they act bad. Retrieved October 22, 2011, from http://www1.apsu.edu/oconnort/crim/crimtheory11.htm…
General strain theory has many effects on crime. General strain theorists propose that people are pressured into crime because of the various strains or negative events or conditions they experience. These strains…
The biographical film Blow (2001), directed by Ted Demme, depicts the life of American cocaine smuggler George Jung and his involvement with Pablo Escobar in the Medellín Cartel. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Jung was responsible for the majority of the cocaine that was trafficked into the United States. Narrated by George himself (Johnny Depp), the film follows a chronological sequence of events beginning with his childhood growing up in Massachusetts up until his final arrest as a result of the combined efforts of the FBI and DEA, in which he was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison.…
Merton (1938) believes that there is consensus within the society regarding the goals, and the structure of society has an impact on why people commit crime. As stated in item B, ‘Strain theories focus on the ways in which people may resort to crime or deviance when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.’ This is proved by Merton as he argues that there are five types of subcultures and they have different tendencies towards strain. These are :- conformist, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion. This theory explains why different people commit different types of crimes, for example; innovators have the same goals…