Travis Hirschi's Control Theory Analysis

Travis Hirschi’s Control Theory states that deviance occurs when a person has no control over their environment; they stray from norms and commit crimes. Travis Hirschi also believe that humans want to belong and that criminals are made when one’s bond to society is abated. Using Hirschi’s Control Theory, crime rate is low in Japan due to conformity being crucial, the publics’ view of prison, and the punishments in prison being harsh. Juvenile delinquency rates are also low; a factor contributing to low juvenile delinquency rates is socialization. Although socialization continues throughout ones entire life, it happens more heavily in younger years. Two components of crime being higher in the United States is that different activities are considered deviant in each society, along with media influence. When social controls are efficacious, there is little deviance. To the Japanese, harmony is immensely essential and being different is considered to be deviant. Conformity in Japanese civilization is taught in elementary and is continued during the child’s schooling. If a child did not wish to …show more content…
The labeling theory believes that actions are deviant if people believe that the actions are deviant. Behaviors that are labeled deviant in one society does not have to be deviant in all societies. For example, spouse abuse in the United States is considered a stray from the norm while in Japan some think not. A survey was conducted in Japan in 2000 and 27.5% of wives said that their husband had beaten them, but did not believe that this was a crime against women. In America, most believe that those who beat their wife are doing wrong. Deviance changes in society, earlier in American history, those who beat their wives may not be seen as doing a crime against women. Those who try to change the society’s view of deviance are called moral entrepreneurs. Without moral entrepreneurs, American society would not be the