Robert Agnew's General Strain Theory

There are a variety of reasons why individuals commit crimes, but it is also true that the motivation may be very different between men and women. Just as complex is the explanations criminologists have developed and theorized to explain these actions. When trying to understand this complexity it is important that we look at crime and its motivations at its lowest levels. While not a single theory explains all crime committed by males and females, Robert Agnew’s general strain theory does a decent job in explaining why women resort to various criminal behavior. Robert Agnew’s theory focuses on the individual level of crime through the influences of strain. Where previous theories saw crime through the lens of the lower social and economic
General strain theory has its limitations, just like any other theory, but its strength lies in its ability to apply in some way to males and females. What is more important, though, is that we continue to conduct research that specifically focuses on women and crime. Matsuura, Hashimoto, and Toichi state that further research of female offenders and their antisocial behavior would lead to a better understanding of their condition and develop proper interventions in the future (Matsuura, N., Hashimoto, T., & Toichi, M., 2013). Both men and women engage in criminal behavior but while the research shows that there is a difference between the two genders’ motivations, it is important that we continue to conduct research that is female specific using all available theories. Neff and Waite go as far as saying that the information regarding the similarities and differences between male and female delinquents and their use of illegal drugs is insufficient (Neff, J. L., & Waite, D. E., 2007). Thus, the more we know, the more we can effectively do in helping prevent crime and provide effective treatment that is appropriate and proper to the strain and emotions that both men and women