Merton Strain Theory

Merton (1938) focused on "social structure and anomie" by using Durkheim’s idea of anomie crime in the USA. For Merton, deviance is the result of strain between cultural goals that members are expected to achieve, and what is available to them through legitimate means. Thereby creating The Strain Theory to explain crime, with the main example of strain being the pressure and emphasis placed on the American dream. The ideology in American society, is that opportunities are equal, and success is achieved through self-discipline and a hard work ethic. However, disadvantaged groups are denied opportunities to achieve the middle-class dream and resort to illegitimate ways of gaining it. These discrepancies can be found by looking at the inadequate