Most criminological theories explain factors that motivate individuals to commit crime and disrupt social customs. Social control theories assume that humans are potential criminals and can violate laws easily instead of obeying them. These theories further posit that individuals opt to commit criminal acts because of weakened constrains in the society (Hirschi, 2018) . Since some elements in the society pull individuals from deviance, establishing strong social connections, such as close community groups, peer groups, church, school, workplace, and family ties helps prevent crime.
Central Tenets, Assumptions, and Propositions
The central tenet of the control theory is that humans have the propensity to commit crime. The theory also contends that laws, regulations, and rules must be in place to control people and maintain order in the society. This theory also assumes that delinquent acts occur when one’s bond to the society is broken (Hirschi, 2018) . It also assumes that since humans are animals, they have a propensity to commit criminal acts. Social control theory has different varieties such as the social bond theory and the techniques of neutralization.
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According to Hirschi (2018), social bond theory has four main elements including commitment, belief, attachment, and involvement. The theory proposes that social bonds control people and can prevent deviance by providing emotional connection through attachment to a social environment, encouraging dedication to achieve compliant goals, involving people in conventional activities, and promoting belief in social values and societal norms. Furthermore, these bonds discourage people from questioning social norms, reducing the probability of disobeying such norms and engaging in criminal activities. Besides, the theory posits that involvement in conventional activities promotes control by reducing the opportunities for criminal activities.
On the other hand, Skyes and Matza contend that criminal activities are learned. Delinquents employ particular techniques of neutralization to engage in delinquency (Sykes & Matza, 2018) . This variety of control theory assumes that social conditions shape individuals’ behaviors. The theory contends that although delinquents do not approve of crime, they tend to justify their delinquent acts to neutralize beliefs that may make them feel bad about their behaviors. Skyes and Matza assume that individuals learn such justifications. Just like Hirschi, they argue that people hold conventional beliefs that prevent them from committing crime. This argument implies that humans have the potential to commit crime. Moreover, some neutralizations are more likely to foster criminal activities than others.
Critical Reactions
Although control theories try to provide reasons for criminal activities, they are few criticisms. First, these theories assume that human beings are potential criminals. They fail to consider that youngsters may commit crime as a source of fun. Second, these theories fail to explain the causes of adult criminality. They seem to explain the reasons for criminal behaviors among youngsters while failing to give reasons for delinquency acts among adults. Majority of the studies focus on youth violence, assuming the fact that adults also commit crime. Currently, police are ineffective in reducing violence (Matthews, 2020) . This theory fails to provide reasons for the high criminal cases among adults and the failure by the police to curb these crime rates. Third, the theory seems to contradict itself. Hirschi admitted that delinquents participate in conventional events. This notion rejects the initial assertion that delinquency can be prevented by involving young people.
Modifications
The social control theory can be modified to better capitalize on the strengths while addressing the limitations by explaining criminal behaviors among adults and the relationship between adult criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency. It can also be modified by focusing on individuals without integrating the concept of social bonds because other factors also contribute to delinquency. Moreover, future studies on the theory should use empirical tests. Finally, the theory should modify the concept of attachment to consider individuals from different family setups and not just on youngsters with both parents.
References
Hirschi, T. (2018). Social Bond Theory. In F. Cullen, R. Agnew, & P. Wilcox (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present , 169-177. Oxford University Press.
Matthews, R. (2020). New Times, New Crimes: Notes on the Depillarization of the Criminal Justice System. Critical Criminology, 28 , 309-26.
Sykes, G., & Matza, D. (2018). Techniques of Neutralization. In F. Cullen, R. Agnew, & P. Wilcox (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present , 161-168. Oxford University Press.
