Alex Marquez Social Control Theory

Family and Significant Relationships Alex’s mother, Irene, and father, Lincoln, live in Calgary, Alberta. Alex states he has an extremely close relationship with his mother, but limited contact with his father. When Alex was fifteen years of age, his mother decided to file for divorce consequently ending his relationship with this father. He also has two older sisters, Melanie twenty-eight years of age and Amy thirty-two years of age, and one older brother, Jeremy who passed away at the age of seventeen from drug abuse when Alex was fifteen. Alex was impacted by drug and alcohol abuse, as well as, subjected to family violence during his childhood. When he was between the ages of eight and fifteen his father either physically abused him, or neglected him to correct his behaviour. Alex states he witnessed his father using cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone multiple times in his home, and would arrive home intoxicated. His mother on the other hand was extremely protective and always present
According to the website History of Forensic Psychology, Meghan Ortiz states “the theory suggests that people engage in criminal activity when their bond to society has weakened” (n.d.). Based on this statement and the four factors which makeup the Social Control Theory, Alex exhibited weak social bonds. He is only close with his mother, and Jessica who commits deviant acts. Alex only committed to one conventional activity which was trying out for the basketball team, but never continued with practice. The lack of conventional opportunities drifted him closer to being in nonconventional opportunities allowing him to believe this behaviour is appropriate. Moreover, Alex would be at a high risk do to these factors. However, his rationalization for his actions cannot 100 percent rely on his social bonds, but must consider his mental disorder as