Classic Strain Theory

Classic Strain Theory, as introduced and defined by Robert Merton, is a Social Structure Theory used to help explain the effect one’s community, most notably lower class areas, has on their ability to achieve predetermined goals, usually considered culturally normal. Merton theorized that all people in a various culture and social structure have similar values, goals, and norms. He stated that within this social structure there are individuals who come from affluent upbringing and are therefore more likely achieve these goals, and most likely this will be attained through legitimate, culturally acceptable means. There are however, Merton said, lower class areas where individuals suffer from lack of educational and economic opportunities afforded the upper class, leading to resentment and anger individuals at their inability to achieve stated objectives and goals through legitimate means.

The resentment, anger, and hopelessness felt by the lower class individuals are described by Merton as “strain.” These strains manifest in social and psychological ways and can lead to what Merton calls “anomie”. Anomie, as defined by Merton, is a frustration with one’s inability to reach goals. The exact definition is a “state of normlessness, occurring when there is an acute disjunction between the cultural norms and goals, and the socially structured capacities of members of the group to act in accord with them.” This derives itself from society’s concept that the goals are stressed more heavily than the means by which they are achieved.

By stressing the overall culturally accepted goals, but not providing equal and equitable means to attain these goals, Merton felt that society had condemned lower class inhabitants to a life of criminal b...

... middle of paper ...

...creation of opportunities, both economic , career, and education related, in order to allow lower class citizens to fully realize their legitimate goals. This is in direct opposition many other policies created based on other theories, which focus instead on the juvenile justice system and the creation of punishment and crime deterrents. Classic Strain Theory would instead create a policy that places larger sums of money into the low class schools in order to encourage more educational support for low class youths. Also, this theory could lead to the creation of more internships and jobs for inner-city, urban youth in an attempt to help them receive money in legitimate ways. Finally, low class citizens need to be educated in the negative impacts that illegal activities have on the citizens and neighborhoods in order to instead encourage legitimate means to success.