The Strain Theory

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I currently live very near to the metropolitan area of Philadelphia, which is geographically and demographically a drastic change for me as I grew up in a very rural area of Pennsylvania. Also, given what has been happening in our nation in the past year, with cultural riots between races and authority figures, I feel that this is a topic, which cannot be researched enough. For this paper I would like to show solid evidence that would dispel the rumors that are rampant on the Internet. People are far too quick to assume that what they read is true, and I am passionate about finding out what is actually true. Change cannot come about until the truth is learned and disseminated. I researched crime rates as well as rates of incarceration and …show more content…
Or is their race alone enough to make them perpetrators of illegal acts? When asked, most Caucasians do not accept the explanation that people with difficult backgrounds who struggle all their lives to make something of themselves and often do not get the opportunities that many Caucasians take for granted, eventually give up and turn to illegal means to get what they need or feel they deserve. The idea of the Strain theory comes into play here. Some people see it as a valid reason for why people take the wrong path in life. Others look at it as an unacceptable excuse for poor behavior. Researchers find that more and more Caucasians see people of ethnic backgrounds as lazy and unmotivated. They state that people choose to commit crimes because they do not care about the rights of others or their responsibilities to society. African Americans when asked state the impossibility of their living conditions, and the Strain theory is a very real thing that they are living, forced into choices they feel they have no control …show more content…
First, the reporting of the crimes and the reporting on the sentencing for the crimes needs to be done in a responsible, non-biased way. Guidelines exist for news entities to do just this, yet they refuse to comply and resort to sensational tactics in order to boost their ratings. If they were to report responsibly, the accurate facts and the ultimate consequences of the actions would help to deter future criminals. Policymakers have a responsibility as well. They have the ability and opportunity to start developing criminal justice policies that are moral, effective and make sense fiscally. More punitive policies are not needed. Punishment that makes sense and fits the crime has been effective in Canada, and has helped reduce their crime rate drastically. Lawmakers need to see the ultimate effect that elevated rate of incarceration has on the community. More punishment is not the answer. Better, more effective punishment would make more sense. Also the needs of the communities need to be addressed. Better education, more equal to that of Caucasian society is needed. I believe it is difficult if not impossible for anyone who is Caucasian to understand what it is like to grow up a minority. It is crucial therefore, for there to be more equality in the legal justice system. From police to lawyers to judges on up, the system cannot change unless people who can feel what it feels like to be
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