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Paper Outline

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Paper Outline

Chosen Theories and Main Points

The chosen theories are the anomie and strain theories. These theories aim at explaining how the breaking of norms occurs in society and the role played by social structures and conditions in the process. Both theories aim at explaining the link between the social structure of society and crime. The anomie theory explains that many individuals aim at achieving culturally recognized goals (DiCristina, 2016). The development of a state of anomie occurs when access to these goals is blocked to individuals or the entire group of people (DiCristina, 2016). This causes the emergence of deviant behavior whose characteristics include retreat, innovation, and rebellion. Innovation is what predominantly causes crime (DiCristina, 2016). The strain theory explains that citizens may be pressured into committing a crime by the social structures within society (Agnew, 2017). The theory explains that individuals are under pressure from society to achieve socially accepted goals yet they do not have the means of doing so. This becomes the sole purpose of them committing a crime (Agnew, 2017).

Selected Social Problem

The social problem chosen is the increase in crime rates. This refers to the rise in the number of unlawful acts committed by individuals which are punishable by law. Crime statistics indicate an increase in the number of crimes and this negatively affects society (Sampson & Wilson, 2020). A discussion of this social problem is important because crime not only causes physical, emotional, and psychological adverse effects on people, but also affects their cost of living since businesses increase prices if they lose money to crime (Sampson & Wilson, 2020). Individuals may also undergo pain and suffering which results in a lower quality of life due to crime and there may be traumatic impacts on friends and disruption of families (Sampson & Wilson, 2020).

How The Theories Relate To The Social Problem

The theories chosen relate to the social problem of the increase in crime rates since they aim at explaining why crime occurs in the first place. The anomie theory will be used in the paper to explain the link between crime and the social structure of society and how unequal distribution of social-economic resources in society exerts pressure on individuals which causes crime to rise. The anomie theory will also be used to explain how individuals develop deviant behavior and how this causes individuals to develop their own goals and ways of achieving these goals, which in turn increases crime. The strain theory will be used to explain how individuals undergo stress when they are deprived of ways of achieving goals that are valued by society. The theory will also be used to explain how the pressure forces individuals into using unconventional and criminal ways of obtaining resources to achieve culturally valued goals. These stressors are what are referred to as “strains”, and they are greatly attributed to the increase in the likelihood of crime.

Social Policy For Solving The Social Problem

A social policy that can be used in solving the problem of the increase of the increased crime rate in the arts and culture policy. The arts and culture policy is aimed at encouraging individuals from diverse cultures to effectively communicate with each other to bring about social change (Crossick & Kasznska, 2016). The policy is aimed at influencing society by changing opinions, instilling values, and translating their experiences through many creative endeavors and disciplines (Crossick & Kasznska, 2016). Arts and culture policy can be used to reach new audiences and help in increasing awareness and refreshing anti-crime messages, all of which will help in preventing or reducing crime. Additionally, being able to access art and cultural resources may enhance elements of social well-being in disadvantaged neighborhoods which will reduce the likelihood of them considering crime as an option (Crossick & Kasznska, 2016).

References

Agnew, R. (2017). Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. Recent Developments in Criminological Theory, 311-354.
Crossick, G., & Kasznska, P. (2016). Understanding the value of arts and culture: The AHRC Cultural Value Project.
DiCristina, B. (2016). Durkheim’s theory of anomie and crime: A clarification and elaboration. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 49(3), 311-331.

Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (2020). Toward a theory of race, crime, and urban inequality. In Crime, Inequality and the State (pp. 312-325). Routledge.