Cause of Juvenile Delinquency in Some
This research paper attempts to examine why some youths get caught up in school violence and delinquency while others do not. The research will draw on existing sociological research and two major schools of criminological thoughts classical and positivist’s theories (Bartusch, 2006) to examine juvenile delinquency and how adequately the existing framework provides explanations on the issue especially in the context of our contemporary era.
There are many universally accepted definitions of juvenile delinquency, however, Burfield and Bartusch, (2006) defines it as “actions that violated the law committed by a person who is under the legal age of majority”.
Classical criminology holds that delinquent youths
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P.149) until research by Farnworth and Leiber (1989) found it was a significant educational predictor of delinquency in their sample of juveniles, also noted many researchers recognized the potential of Merton’s Anomie/ Strain theory, although he made no claims as to his theories of strain being in relation to juvenile delinquency, it is still viewed as one of the most influential and noteworthy in describing and explaining numerous forms of deviant behaviors.
Subsequently, Messner and Rosenfeld as cited in (Siegel, 2011), in building on Merton’s anomie theory developed the institutional strain theory which looks at the breakdown in community relations where institutions such as the church, (Siegel, 2011) charitable organizations and schools has lost social control of the community members susceptible to crime due to their preoccupation with financial liberation also Religious instruction removed from school curricula, and there is less interest in attending church services which create a lack of moral education through the church (P.
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P.110) this strain, Agnew argues may lead delinquency. Averill, (1982.) found that repeated hostile strain usually leads to resentment and the increase of negative affection may be present; as a result, he or she may drop out of school hang on the street corners with other youths where they may have a common goal of achieving the American goal, fast cars, money, sex, homes and the respect that comes with
However, in the book, Criminology the authors have stated, “…Strain theory states that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crime” (Adler, G.M., & Laufer W, 2010, p.105). With the increasing stress, the child needs diapers and the parent has no money and enters Walmart, decides to steal a box of diapers, and is caught in the parking lot. The conflict theorist
Strain and Deviance: an empirical test of General Strain Theory of in a Philippine Public University LITERATURE REVIEW Theoretical Background During the past decades, various criminologists developed different theories in an attempt to explain the causes of crime within the society. In return they were successful, as of today it was adopted or accepted, indeed all of theories explain the root causes of crime. One of these theories is anomie or strain theory which originally argues that the lower class frustration to higher class causes crime (Merton, 1938) in attempt to explain why majority of the people who commits crime are lower class.
His areas of study are Juvenile delinquency, Youth violence and Criminological theory. The main argument of the source is that General strain theory provides and explanation of crime and delinquency and that it is the latest and broadest form of strain theory. General Strain Theory represents a revision and extension of prior strain theories. “General strain theory is distinguished from other criminological theories by the central role it assigns to negative emotions in the etiology of offending. It is also distinguished by the emphasis it places on particular strains, especially strains involving negative social relations “ (Brezina, 2018).
Elijah Anderson, a Yale professor, developed the concept or theory entitled the “code of the street” which explains the reasoning for high rates of street violence among African-American juveniles in a Philadelphia community. The “code of the street” is the way of life for many living in poverty-stricken communities which attempt to regulate behaviors. Anderson observed that juveniles in inner-city neighborhoods who are exposed to racial discrimination, economic disadvantages and alienation from mainstream society may lead violent behavior. The strain, social learning, and labeling theories are all directly related to Anderson’s work.
United States: Greenhaven Publishing. The book provides various opposing viewpoints regarding the cause of juvenile crime and how the criminal justice system should treat juvenile offenders. Each argument highlights the main risk factors for juvenile crime. For example, gang plays a large part of juvenile violence.
The most startling rate of criminal involvement among many adolescents and young juveniles (young adults) is a major cause of concerns in Canada and the world at large. On the contrary, it is not accidental that the vast majority of youth who have enact these vicious crimes are incarcerated or place in juvenile detention centres. With the onset of mental health issues are currently on the rise scientific research are intended to comprehend this episode of juvenile offenders has prompted an investigation of the many contributing risk factors associated with these types of behavioural problems. In relation to this stigma what
a. Use Strain Theory to define and explain the following: i. The theft of a loaf of bread by a hungry person Using strain theory, the theft of a loaf of bread by a hungry person can be explained as a situation where an individual employs different means of success of getting fed, one that is against the agreeable ways in the society of getting money and feeding themselves. ii. Alcoholics Using strain theory, an alcohol has ultimately rejected the society’s goals of conforming to the societal values such as happiness and a stable job, such an individual essentially rejects the goals because they have been ultimately been unable to live up to the society’s standards. iii.
Agnew’s General Strain Theory in There Are No Children Here Introduction Throughout this semester, we have covered various criminological theories along with their strengths and limitations. These theoretical perspectives provide possible explanations to why individuals commit crimes. In addition to, these theories are indirectly woven within cultural objects such as song lyrics, movies, books, and television.
Strain theory is people who experience strain likely to feel anomie because of mainstream norms don 't seem to get anywhere. In other words, strain theory is society tends to put pressure on individuals to meet society goals and end up sometimes failing which can lead to crime. Jim and Sara are suffering from anomie because of them being from a lower class they are unable to live the American dream. anomie is a lack of usual social and or ethical standards in an individual group. As the American dream is the idea that every individual should have an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and dedication.
Strain theory is a crime theory that was developed by Robert Merton, an American sociologist. According to Robert, strain can be defined as the discrepancies that result from the goals that are culturally defined in reference to the means that are institutionalized and available to meet the set goals. As proposed by Merton, there exists a typological deviance that is based on two criteria; an individual’s belief in how the goals should be attained and an individual’s adherence or motivation to cultural goals. According to the theory, certain stressors or strains are responsible in increasing the likelihood of crime activities around the world.
This paper draws on existing sociological research in identifying a number of theories used in explaining the formation of gangs. The theories discussed are social structure theories, social conflict theory, and social process theories all of which highlight elements of strain in different forms as they relates to gang formation. According to Merton, (as cited in Schneider & Tilly, 2004) structural theories significantly emphasize the role of social and economic structures as the causes of delinquent behavior and tend to treat criminal behavior as the result of the undesirable and dysfunctional structures (P. 3.).
We ask a question which came first the peer of the delinquent with selection perspective youth, selects their peers based on their own delinquency or delinquent attitudes. The socialization perspective with peer influence involvement attitudes and what are possible relationships criminal associations criminal definitions which lead to crime. This is a macro level theory on
Criticism of Merton’s Strain Theory One critique of the strain theory is how it overemphasis the position of the social class in regards to crime and deviance. As we know, the strain theory applies mainly to the American lower class as they struggle the most. Our lower class are faced with the lack of resources to help them reconcile their goals. However, by looking at the variation of deviant and criminal behavior, the strain theory does not adequately account for any type of crimes besides the normal street or neighborhood crimes.
The set of the structural-functional theories are among the most widespread perspectives on the juvenile delinquency. The group of the theories regards that the behavior of the underage delinquent is caused by the breakdown of the social process that consequently results in the increase of conformity (Thompson & Bynum, 2016). The group of theories presumably blame institutions that are responsible for the socialization of the young delinquents for the way the socialize the individuals by causing them to conform to the values of the society. One of the central theories of the juvenile delinquency is the anomie theory that is rooted in the early studies by the sociologist Emile Durkheim.
(1988). Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice and Law (3rd ed.). United States of America: West Publishing Company. Wright, W. &.