Understanding Strain Theory: The British Dream and Its Implications on Crime

Strain theory, a sociological concept developed by Robert K. Merton, posits that societal structures may pressure individuals to commit crimes. While this theory is often discussed in the context of the American Dream, it is equally relevant to the British Dream—a concept reflecting the aspirations for success, stability, and upward social mobility within the UK.

The British Dream: Aspirations and Realities

The British Dream, akin to its American counterpart, embodies the pursuit of prosperity, career success, home ownership, and a better quality of life. It is an ideal that promises opportunities for those who work hard and adhere to societal norms. However, the stark reality is that not everyone has equal access to these opportunities. Economic disparities, social class, and structural barriers often impede the realization of this dream for many individuals.

Strain Theory Explained

Strain theory suggests that society sets culturally approved goals (like the British Dream) and prescribes institutionalized means to achieve them (education, employment, etc.). However, when individuals are unable to achieve these goals through legitimate means due to structural barriers, they may experience strain or pressure. This strain can lead to various adaptations, including criminal behaviour, as individuals seek alternative ways to achieve success or cope with their frustrations (Merton, 1938).

Adaptations to Strain

Merton identified several ways individuals adapt to strain:

Conformity: Accepting the cultural goals and the prescribed means, despite difficulties.

Innovation: Accepting the goals but using illegitimate means to achieve them (e.g., theft, fraud).

Ritualism: Abandoning the goals but rigidly adhering to the means.

Retreatism: Rejecting both the goals and the means (e.g., substance abuse).

Rebellion: Rejecting and attempting to change both the goals and the means.

Strain and Crime in the UK Context

Economic Disparities and Social Class

In the UK, significant economic disparities and entrenched social classes create barriers to achieving the British Dream. For instance, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds may face limited access to quality education and job opportunities, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness. This scenario aligns with the strain theory, where the inability to achieve societal goals through legitimate means can push individuals toward criminal activities (Reid, 2015).

Youth and Gang Culture

Youth in deprived areas are particularly vulnerable to strain. The lack of opportunities and the presence of visible, albeit illegal, pathways to success can drive them toward gang culture and criminal behavior. Gangs often provide a sense of identity and a means to achieve financial success that traditional pathways fail to offer (Deuchar, 2009).

Case Study: Knife Crime

The rise in knife crime in the UK can be partially explained through strain theory. Young people in urban areas, facing bleak employment prospects and systemic exclusion, may resort to carrying knives and engaging in violent behavior as a means of protection and status acquisition. This behavior represents an innovative adaptation to the strain they experience (Batchelor, 2009).

Addressing Strain: Policy Implications

To mitigate the effects of strain and reduce crime, it is crucial to address the underlying structural issues:

Education and Employment: Enhancing access to quality education and creating job opportunities can reduce economic disparities and provide legitimate means for achieving success.

Community Programs: Initiatives that engage youth in positive activities and provide mentorship can help deter them from gang involvement and criminal behavior.

Social Support: Strengthening social safety nets and support systems can alleviate some of the pressures individuals face, reducing the likelihood of criminal adaptations.

Conclusion

Understanding crime through the lens of strain theory in the context of the British Dream reveals the significant impact of societal structures on individual behavior. By addressing the root causes of strain—economic disparity, lack of opportunity, and social exclusion—policymakers can create a more equitable society where the aspirations embodied in the British Dream are accessible to all, reducing the impetus for criminal behavior.

References

Batchelor, S. (2009). 'Girls, gangs and violence: Assessing the evidence'. British Journal of Criminology, 49(4), 552-573. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/bjc/article/49/4/552/491095

Deuchar, R. (2009). Gangs, Marginalised Youth and Social Capital. Springer. Available at: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781402089083

Merton, R. K. (1938). 'Social structure and anomie'. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2084686

Reid, K. (2015). Addressing Economic Inequality: Community Development in Wales. Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9781137469135

Young, J. (1999). The Exclusive Society: Social Exclusion, Crime and Difference in Late Modernity. Sage Publications. Available at: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/the-exclusive-society/book204005

Agnew, R. (1992). 'Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency'. Criminology, 30(1), 47-88. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-9125.1992.tb01093.x