Criminal Behaviour - Classical Strain Theory

Strain Theory Essay                                                         Rebecca Ashcroft

Criminal behaviour is prevalent in our society and is influenced by strains which are generated by society thus strain theory provides a sociological explanation to criminal behaviour. Adolescents frequently encounter strains and thus opportunities for delinquent coping through criminal behaviour which can have significant costs (General Strain Theory, 2017). This essay aims to discuss the consequences of adolescent strain in relation to criminal behaviour. This will be attained by considering an overview of classical strain theory and its relation to criminal behaviour, examining Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) (2006) in relation to youth strain and criminal behaviour, and exploring the individual differences that lead to offending among adolescents. Finally, a conclusion will be made as to the consequences of adolescent strain in relation to criminal behaviour.

Overview and Classical Strain Theory

Strain theory suggests that crime is socially provoked and thus crime is representative of social disjuncture within a society. It is further proposed that individuals have little control over their social situation and their actions and beliefs are determined by wider societal factors (Crime and Criminology, 2012). Earlier strain theories up until the 70’s included those of Merton, Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin. Merton (1938) suggested that individuals of a lower class more often experience strain caused by a disjunction been their goals and their means for achieving them. “People accept the cultural goals of a society but reject the conventional methods of attaining those goals” (Merton), the consequences of this often result in individuals selling illicit drugs or stealing in order to reduce the financial strain impacted by this social disjunction. Cohen (1955) had a stronger focus on juvenile offending describing them as “non-utilitarian in nature”. Cohen proposed that lower class children are immediately disadvantaged entering school ultimately being refused opportunities for success creating anger and frustration which is often exerted through rebellion, this “rebellion occurs when an individual reject both culturally defined goals and means and substitutes new goals and means” (Crime and Criminology, 2012). The consequence of this rebellion often leads to the formation of gangs who commit crimes as a group such as assault or property destruction. Lastly, Cloward and Ohlin (1960) further investigated the modifications of juvenile gangs focusing on the variety of modifications occurring across neighbourhoods. They found that some delinquent gangs may be expressing their frustration of societal strains through drug use while other gangs focus on violent or money-based crimes thus portraying the vast consequences of strain depending on the individual and their situation. Classical strain theories came under question as they failed to explain why only some strained individuals resorted to crime, classical strain focused on the inability to achieve one’s goals was too narrow and thus Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) was developed in 1992. (General Strain Theory, 2017).