Crime Control
The Anomie/Strain theories have been discussed by four sociologist who sought to explain why deviant behaviors occur. The most common Anomie theories are stated by Robert Merton and Emile Durkheim. Many individuals in society are affected by societal control that makes their lives miserable. For example, an individual could be well-learned, have a legitimate means of income and live a good life in comparison to others. However, some of these individuals could feel incomplete or are controlled by the norms of society which limit them to live in a certain manner. Such individuals could end up committing atrocities as a consequence of mental and emotional strain. These individuals mostly fight personal feelings against the norms of the society. For instance, according to Brezina (2012), some are unable to adapt to the new norms due to resistance to change, while others simply fail to embody the norms embraced by society. Therefore, the standards set by society results in individuals developing mental health issues and deviant behaviors. This paper will explain the Anomies theories and develop a policy that will help in crime control, with reference to the theory.
Anomies can also be associated with the gap that exists between the means and objectives or goals. For instance, many individuals from different statuses aspire to lead a successful life amidst the challenges they face on a daily basis. However, the pressure and strain they get from society leads them to develop deviant behaviors. These behaviors make individuals get involved in criminal activities to gain of working hard and achieving success, but are provided with less resources to achieve anything meaningful. Unlike the high and middle class individuals, low-class people rarely get education or training opportunities that would help them lead a successful life as set by society. Therefore, they get innovative and develop hustles or jobs that help them gain social status and wealth through illegal means. These illegal jobs include high status call girl engagements, drug trafficking, human trafficking, collecting ransoms from kidnapping people, weapon trafficking, among others. Other individuals retreat from following the rules and norms created by society and set out to create new ones, where they create new objectives and means of achieving them - for instance terrorists. Merton also discusses individuals who abandon having goals and societal norms. Examples of such individuals include drug addicts and alcoholics who abandon their goals and jobs to focus on getting their next drug dose through means like stealing, borrowing or begging.
Therefore, the anomies mentioned above lead to an increase in criminal activities and many mental health issues as depicted by the criminals. There are several mental health policies that assist in controlling crime within society. Many individuals involved in criminal activities are affected by mental health issues and develop deviant behaviors because the public does not understand or feel the need to support them in their situations. Mental health…
References
Bolton, D. & Dinesh, B. (2020). Changes in society and young people’s mental health. International Review of Psychiatry, 4(3), 11-18.
Timothy, B. (2012). Routledge Handbook of Deviant Behavior. Routledge.
Featherstone, R. &Mathieu, D. (2003). Anomie and strain: Context and consequences of Merton's two theories. Sociological inquiry, 73(4), 471-489.
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