Central Tenets, Assumptions, Propositions
Merton's anomie theory seeks to provide reasons for higher crime levels in some societies than in others. The theory assumes that some features in society and cultural practices are associated with high crime rates. This theory posits that the cultural mandate to accumulate wealth and anomic normative setting, stemming from power imbalance due to economic factors, promote high crime rates. For instance, it proposes that the rigid obedience to conservative American values increases crime levels in the country. The theory assumes that most social structures hinder some individuals from realizing economic success legitimately, forcing other individuals to seek other ways (Merton, 2018) . Although social beliefs emphasize economic success and rising social mobility, some social structures increase some individuals' vulnerability to crime. The disconnection between cultural goals and accessibility to proper ways of attaining such goals pressurizes cultural standards that guide the means used to realize cultural goals. The theory also describes the failure of cultural norms and normative order as anomie with no ability to control people’s behavior.
On the other hand, Agnew's general strain theory argues that strains promote negative emotions, resulting in various undesirable outcomes, such as delinquency. These strains include the inability to realize positively prized objectives, the absence of highly valued stimuli, and the presence of negative stimuli. The theory assumes that strains contribute to criminal activities when they are unjust and of high magnitude, associated with no social control, and motivate individuals to engage in crime. The theory postulates that negative emotions demand survival responses to release the internal pressure (Agnew, 2018) . The responses may be cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. The theory also assumes that these responses are delinquent due to demanding and frustrating surroundings. Proponents of this theory also argue that the most common response is anger, increasing an individual’s propensity to injury and retaliation. It also affirms that anger is the major contributor to violent offenses and criminal activities. Furthermore, low self-control, negative emotionality, lack of tolerance for the strain, and social support increase individuals' likelihood of committing illegal activities.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Critical Reactions
Although anomie/strain theory seeks to provide reasons for criminal activities, it fails to explain some aspects adequately. First, it fails to describe the meaning of cultural goals fully, resulting in different assumptions. Second, this theory focuses more on street crime and fails to examine factors that promote corporate and white-collar criminal activities (Bernburg, 2019) . Third, it fails to explain how the strain factor of economic success affects the middle and high social earners. The theorists only explain crime in lower economic classes while assuming that upper and middle-class earners have monetary means, implying that they cannot commit a crime. Fourth, this theory fails to provide reasons for certain criminal activities such as rape and murder cases. The theory focuses on financial crimes while assuming other categories of crime. The theory also fails to explain why individuals respond differently to stressful conditions. For instance, it fails to explain why some individuals become innovators while others become ritualists.
Modifications
This theory can be modified by combining the various categories of strain, mentioned under both the anomie and strain theories. This modification will help policymakers to consider interventions that address specific strains to solve youth violence. Besides, it can be modified by making the aspect of parental rejection and education one of the most common strains contributing to criminal activities. It should not just focus on economic factors only. Parental rejection makes young people aggressive, increasing the likelihood of delinquency. Such modification will help reduce crime rates by creating awareness among parents, criminal justice officers, youth leaders, and school officials. These modifications will also minimize crime levels by reducing strains and enhancing individuals’ coping abilities.
References
Agnew, R. (2018). Pressured Into Crime. In F. Cullen, P. Wilcox, & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present , 140-150. Oxford University Press.
Bernburg, J. (2019). Anomie Theory. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia Of Criminology and Crmiminal Justice. Oxford Univerity Press.
Merton, R. (2018). Social Structure and Anomie. In F. Cullen, P. Wilcox, & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present , 16-124. Oxford university Press.
