Merton’s anomie theory was differing from Durkheim, which more correlated with crime and deviance, rather than ‘normlessness’. Merton (1938) formulated the anomie theory using Durkheim in arguing that deviance can be regarded as ‘a symptom of dissociation between culturally defined aspirations and socially structured means’. In his perception, ‘culturally defined aspirations’ and ‘socially structured means’ governing goal achievement (Merton, 1938). This also means that disorder is with norms, rather than values, while in Durkheim’s perception, confusion is over norms and values. Cultural goals are defined as ‘worth striving for’ by Merton (1938). When societies emphasis imbalanced on cultural goals, such as monetary success, whereas lack of
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One of the main points of Merton’s anomie theory is about the overriding institutionalized goal and criminogenic, which is called as ‘American Dream’ (Murphy & Robinson, 2008). He stated that the ‘American Dream’ emphasis on whether people win the game, rather than how. When ‘culturally induced success goals’ are so emphasized and the institutional means are neglected, social structure will encourage deviance. According to Merton, during the 1950s, American agencies placed overemphasis on goals with relax means, which means criminality is permissible in some extent. Messner and Rosenfeld (1994) expanded Merton’s theory of anomie and stated that the allegiance of American Dream might cause high crime rates. These authors claimed that the nature of American materialism creates the stresses on achievement of the goals and minimizes the stresses on the rules of the games (Messner and Rosenfeld, …show more content…
Whereas, it was more related to the contradiction between cultural goals and institutionalized means, which produce the strain toward anomie (Merton, 1968). In a more contemporary context, ‘crime occurs where there is cultural inclusion and structural exclusion’ (Young 1999). ‘American Dream’ or ‘Australian Dream’ can be the culture referred here, which represent a kind of Westernized capitalist culture that encourage meritocracy open to all (Young, 1999). For example, the Indigenous people of Torres Strait would not have any conflict with their culture on homeland, while a conflict would occur when they migrate to mainland of Australia. In mainstream Australian society, they might meet the problem of the consumer culture, which combines social goals with economic (Young, 1999). Overemphasized culture with wealthy success and individualism is the main problem, rather than lack of culture. For Indigenous people in contemporary society, one of their major goals is to be included in mainstream economy, culture and society (Spencer, 2000). However, culture inclusion might bring racial discrimination to these inner-city children as well. People might redeem their status by relying on consumer products. When the exclusion becomes worse and consumer culture more widespread, people might feel more frustrated, and thus form a vicious cycle (Nightingale,
One of the main points of Merton’s anomie theory is about the overriding institutionalized goal and criminogenic, which is called as ‘American Dream’ (Murphy & Robinson, 2008). He stated that the ‘American Dream’ emphasis on whether people win the game, rather than how. When ‘culturally induced success goals’ are so emphasized and the institutional means are neglected, social structure will encourage deviance. According to Merton, during the 1950s, American agencies placed overemphasis on goals with relax means, which means criminality is permissible in some extent. Messner and Rosenfeld (1994) expanded Merton’s theory of anomie and stated that the allegiance of American Dream might cause high crime rates. These authors claimed that the nature of American materialism creates the stresses on achievement of the goals and minimizes the stresses on the rules of the games (Messner and Rosenfeld, …show more content…
Whereas, it was more related to the contradiction between cultural goals and institutionalized means, which produce the strain toward anomie (Merton, 1968). In a more contemporary context, ‘crime occurs where there is cultural inclusion and structural exclusion’ (Young 1999). ‘American Dream’ or ‘Australian Dream’ can be the culture referred here, which represent a kind of Westernized capitalist culture that encourage meritocracy open to all (Young, 1999). For example, the Indigenous people of Torres Strait would not have any conflict with their culture on homeland, while a conflict would occur when they migrate to mainland of Australia. In mainstream Australian society, they might meet the problem of the consumer culture, which combines social goals with economic (Young, 1999). Overemphasized culture with wealthy success and individualism is the main problem, rather than lack of culture. For Indigenous people in contemporary society, one of their major goals is to be included in mainstream economy, culture and society (Spencer, 2000). However, culture inclusion might bring racial discrimination to these inner-city children as well. People might redeem their status by relying on consumer products. When the exclusion becomes worse and consumer culture more widespread, people might feel more frustrated, and thus form a vicious cycle (Nightingale,