Strain theories
Three clashing views of American culture American culture is egalitarian Everyone has an equal chance to gain wealth If you can’t it’s your own fault – maybe you’re “lazy” Kornhauser – strain is evenly spread through society Rich and poor always want more Economic gain isn’t a cultural value – it’s intrinsic Hard work (Protestant ethic) is a weak value, easily overcome by greed Criminals and delinquents not strained Have low aspirations (what they want) and low expectations (what they expect to get) American culture is “criminogenic” – it promotes crime Strong forces promote goal of material success Weak forces promote culturally accepted means Protestant work ethic, honesty, education, delayed gratification Social structure limits possibilities
Two classical strain theories: Durkheim and Merton “Anomie” – Emile Durkheim Society can’t regulate appetites Rapid social change breaks down controls “Strain” – Merton – Social change not required to explain crime Individual “appetites” originate in the culture America: heavy emphasis on material wealth Severe strain on lower classes Limits imposed by social structure – not by talents or efforts Fewer legitimate opportunities Lack of socially acceptable “means”, too much emphasis on “ends” Those who use deviant means are not consistently punished So, crime is a rational choice – a way to adapt to strain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Iu9yOAhks 3 mis.
Merton – individual responses to strain Conformity (accept goals and means) In stable society, most persons will keep trying even if they don’t succeed Innovation (accept goals, seek out new means) Non-criminal adaptations – training, education Criminal adaptations – steal, deal drugs Ritualism (reject goals, accept means) Achieve minimum success Retreatism (reject goals and means) “Turn on, tune in, drop out” – Timothy Leary and the psychedelic 60’s Drop out – of the rat race Rebellion (replace socially accepted values with new values) Political rebellion, spiritualism Jewel thief Doris Payne 2 mis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uTmQfyBJlI Drug guru Dr. Timothy Leary 8 mis. http://youtu.be/S-fpV34frPE
Origin of strain is cultural – Messner & Rosenfeld Origin is structural – Bernard Messner & Rosenfeld agree with Merton that cultural pressures for successcrime BUT - expanding opportunities may cause more crime unless culture changes Newly “enabled” persons lose their excuse to stay poor Economic goals override influence of social institutions Families, schools, politics – all are subservient to the economy Recommendations Support families with child care and flexible work schedules Make a distinction between education and job training Protect citizens from the marketplace with social safety nets Engage young people in community service Give greater social prominence to goals other than material success Bernard says that strain is concentrated in lower classes but is primarily structural Delinquents have a gap between expectations and aspirations Their excuses & justifications are misinterpreted as part of a “lower-class lifestyle” Adaptations described by Merton are real reactions to situations that individuals cannot overcome
Explaining gang delinquency – Cohen Most delinquency occurs in gangs Mostly not caused by strain Non-utilitarian, malicious, negativistic (vandalism) Gang member goals are intangible (not tangible, i.e. money) Status and self-worth Which delinquents are strained? Youths without ascribed status (e.g., come from a poor family) Youths who cannot gain achieved status (lose when competing with others) Cohen’s theory similar to Merton’s “rebellion” Form that “rebellion” takes is shaped by a group – not just by an individual
Gang delinquency – Cloward and Ohlin Goals are both tangible (Merton) and intangible (Cohen) Goal of serious delinquents is “conspicuous consumption” Fast cars, fancy clothes, “swell dames” Goals clash with conventional values Serious delinquents are looked down on for... ...what they don’t want (middle-class lifestyle) ...what they do want (fast cars, fancy clothes, “swell dames” If they lack licit and illicit opportunities to get what they want, serious delinquents may form a violent or “conflict” gang to express their anger http://youtu.be/Jg1c6ZY5jFc 7 mis.
Meanings of strain – Cullen Strain means two different things Characteristics of a society that doesn’t provide legitimate means to achieve culturally valued ends Individual feelings of frustration, anxiety and depression from above Structural inequalities encourage deviance Unequal legitimate opportunities caused by social structure Deviant response varies according to “structuring variables” Social/economic circumstances Technological advances Specific opportunities (e.g., Columbian drug cartel) Individual psychological responses It’s the “feelings” that directly cause crime Social structural inequality frustration crime http://youtu.be/LDXzDfq5mq4 7 mis.
Individual strain – Agnew Negative relationships & stressful life events Juveniles stressed by bad interpersonal relationships Cannot escape “stressors” that originate at home or in school Delinquency & drug use a way to cope or manage strain May provide “relief” from stresses http://youtu.be/3I8dE3QU3bk 10 mis.
Strain theory and public policy Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Control Act of 1961 Improve education Create job opportunities Organize lower-class families Provide services to individuals, gangs, families War on Poverty – Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 Crime and poverty based on social structure Original intent to change social structure Implementation geared to change poor people