Merton Strain Theory
Crime has been a part of society since the very beginning. There cannot be rules without people who will break them. The question is, why do people commit crimes? Why do they steal, rape, and murder? There are many suggestions as to why people commit crimes, especially in impoverished areas. One of the more common and sensible explanations for this phenomenon is that of Merton’s Strain Theory.
Merton’s strain theory is fairly straightforward in its application. It explores the idea that many people who commit crimes in impoverished areas do not do so out of maliciousness or simply because they can. Rather, they commit these crimes because they feel they have no viable legal options. As a society, we impose goals upon our citizens, such as the
American Dream. Thus, many people feel that they must accomplish this at some point in their lives. The problem is, many people who live in poorer areas do not have legitimate options to carry this out available to them. Thus, they turn to crime. For example, they cannot provide for their family, often through no fault of their own. Thus, they commit crimes to provide for their family an achieve their version of the American Dream.
Another issue to consider is why it is that men are more likely to commit crime than women. When examining the phenomenon via Strain Theory, there are several points that must be taken into account. One is that men are often expected to provide for their families. Thus, men who cannot provide for their families with legitimate means like a job feel the need to turn to crime to live up to the expectation that is placed upon them. Another thing to consider is that men tend to have more aggressive tendencies than women, partially due to the amount of testosterone men have. In richer areas, there are activities, such as organized sports, for them to direct these aggressive tendencies in a positive manner. This is not the case in some poorer areas. Thus, without an outlet for this aggression, men sometimes turn to crime. It is also worth noting that men are far more comfortable with using violence in dominance displays than woman, who tend to use it as a last resort when they feel threatened.
In conclusion, Merton’s Strain Theory can explain many aspects of crime in impoverished areas. However, there is no way to explain crime that properly conveys the devastation it causes. Knowing why people do things is only half the battle. Now we need to learn how to stop them.
Merton’s strain theory is fairly straightforward in its application. It explores the idea that many people who commit crimes in impoverished areas do not do so out of maliciousness or simply because they can. Rather, they commit these crimes because they feel they have no viable legal options. As a society, we impose goals upon our citizens, such as the
American Dream. Thus, many people feel that they must accomplish this at some point in their lives. The problem is, many people who live in poorer areas do not have legitimate options to carry this out available to them. Thus, they turn to crime. For example, they cannot provide for their family, often through no fault of their own. Thus, they commit crimes to provide for their family an achieve their version of the American Dream.
Another issue to consider is why it is that men are more likely to commit crime than women. When examining the phenomenon via Strain Theory, there are several points that must be taken into account. One is that men are often expected to provide for their families. Thus, men who cannot provide for their families with legitimate means like a job feel the need to turn to crime to live up to the expectation that is placed upon them. Another thing to consider is that men tend to have more aggressive tendencies than women, partially due to the amount of testosterone men have. In richer areas, there are activities, such as organized sports, for them to direct these aggressive tendencies in a positive manner. This is not the case in some poorer areas. Thus, without an outlet for this aggression, men sometimes turn to crime. It is also worth noting that men are far more comfortable with using violence in dominance displays than woman, who tend to use it as a last resort when they feel threatened.
In conclusion, Merton’s Strain Theory can explain many aspects of crime in impoverished areas. However, there is no way to explain crime that properly conveys the devastation it causes. Knowing why people do things is only half the battle. Now we need to learn how to stop them.