Strain Theory Crime

Strain Theory has the most potential for being the most accurate theory why crime occurs. By looking at the statistics from 2009 to 2013, 2009 had the highest amount of crime rates in almost all categories. For example theft had 22481 number of offenses, which out of all the years seems to be the highest, same goes for other property which had a number of 9263 , weapon related which was at a number of 1462 and finally homicide which 26 was the number of offenses. Looking at the economy 2008-2009 was the biggest financial crisis the globe had experienced since the 1930’s, and this crisis affected individuals globally. Canada and many other places were in a recession, which meant high unemployment rate, which in 2009 was 8.3 in canada, more …show more content…
Furthermore, if we look at First Nations and the amount that are in prison, which is 48 percent over the provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. About 36 percent in prison is aboriginal women which only increase with each year. Strain Theory correlates well with this situation. Many reserves are in great poverty, with little education, and acquire great amounts of inequality in society. As well their culture 's past experiences with residential schools and alcohol all make it hard for them to have proper means to support themselves. With high amounts of poverty, low amounts of First Nations can really afford to provide themselves with the basic needs of food, clothing and a roof over their head, not to mention most things provided on the reserves from the government are in pretty rough shape. As well the education program on reserves is very limited, which is not supplying the children with a basic set of knowledge that will help them in their future to get a job or further on schooling, making it hard for themselves later on in life to be able to support …show more content…
This seems like a time where many people would be desperate and feel pressured to find the means to support themselves through crime, but according to the data crime was the lowest in most categories in 2013. Although robbery did increase a little bit, leading to 879 offenses instead of 873 in 2012 , almost every other crime dropped from 2012 to 2013. Which does not seem to exactly fit with Strain Theory. As well, 2012 didn 't have very many drastic changes from 2011 to 2012 that would cause an increase in crime, were data shows many crime speaking in 2012 for example Homicide increased totaling to 17 offenses that year, as well theft increasing to a total of 4510 number of cases. By unemployment rate being low and many social programs being around for example, food banks and mustard seeds and the women 's shelters, this theory does not indicate why these crimes are peaking. Overall Strain Theory does represent most data very well, and is very promising when understanding why crime does occur and the reasons behind the rises and declines over the years. Although it is not one- hundred percent perfect on its own it does help in understanding crime and finding ways to prevent crime from occurring, and overall works the best with the trends in the economy and