Introduction & Outline of the Criminal or Deviant Behaviour In today’s society, gang membership is on the rise due to the growing participation of citizens. Outlined in this paper, a discussion based on the explanations of deviant behaviour committed by individuals involved with gangs, the characteristics of these individuals, and the type crimes being committed by these individuals. Also, how strain theory results in deviant, or criminal behaviour. What is strain theory? Strain theory is “The proposition that people feel strain when they are exposed to cultural goals, they are unable to reach because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving these goals.” (Linden, R. 2015). Not only will there be a discussion on strain
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As a result these individuals use illegitimate means in obtaining these goals. Many of these goals are constricted through culturally prescribed aspirations. “A rejection of the notion that aspirations are entirely self-created; rather, they are defined by other members of the society.” (Linden, R. 2015). Schooling plays a major role in these culturally prescribed aspirations, in the fact, aboriginals are not always provided with the proper means to education. Or an individual may come from a family where the expectations are set by another individual in the family who has achieved success. However, aboriginal youth may be subject to cynicism, in direct correlation to their poor home environment. The need for the individual may increase due to there not being a father figure, or a sibling has already been in trouble with the law. (Linden, R. 2015). “The strain resulting from the gap between goals and the means to achieve those goals may result in some sort of innovation, usually deviant in nature.” (Linden, R. 2015). Essentially the strain caused by these mitigating factors, can result in an aboriginal youth, to pursue illegitimate means to achieve their goals, and due to the support structure advertised by gangs, membership is fairly …show more content…
Within gangs, the development of a sub-culture, is something, which begins at a young age. A subculture is “A group of people who share a distinctive set of cultural beliefs and behaviours that differs in some significant way from that of the larger society.” (Linden, R. 2015). This does not say all aboriginal youth, or adults are involved in deviant behaviour. It simply displays aboriginals are over-represented in relation to criminal activity due to the high percentage of aboriginals who have been involved in criminal activity, or who are currently incarcerated. “Cultural conflict, poverty, lack of opportunity, and lack of power contribute to a cycle in which Aboriginal people are imprisoned for criminal behaviours that may be the outcome, in part, of structural inequality.” (Grekul, J, 2008). Deviant acts are carried out to obtain three things, money, power and drugs (Hess, K.M, 2012). In relation to strain, individuals involved in gangs feel the pressure to live up to the label obtained from the view of society. Individuals in gangs, who experience strain cannot be any type of criminal they choose, the majority are limited by the opportunities available to them. (Linden, R. 2015). Aboriginal youth are subject to a variety of stereotyping. This is also in the perception of society, as there are certain stigmas, which usually coincide
As a result these individuals use illegitimate means in obtaining these goals. Many of these goals are constricted through culturally prescribed aspirations. “A rejection of the notion that aspirations are entirely self-created; rather, they are defined by other members of the society.” (Linden, R. 2015). Schooling plays a major role in these culturally prescribed aspirations, in the fact, aboriginals are not always provided with the proper means to education. Or an individual may come from a family where the expectations are set by another individual in the family who has achieved success. However, aboriginal youth may be subject to cynicism, in direct correlation to their poor home environment. The need for the individual may increase due to there not being a father figure, or a sibling has already been in trouble with the law. (Linden, R. 2015). “The strain resulting from the gap between goals and the means to achieve those goals may result in some sort of innovation, usually deviant in nature.” (Linden, R. 2015). Essentially the strain caused by these mitigating factors, can result in an aboriginal youth, to pursue illegitimate means to achieve their goals, and due to the support structure advertised by gangs, membership is fairly …show more content…
Within gangs, the development of a sub-culture, is something, which begins at a young age. A subculture is “A group of people who share a distinctive set of cultural beliefs and behaviours that differs in some significant way from that of the larger society.” (Linden, R. 2015). This does not say all aboriginal youth, or adults are involved in deviant behaviour. It simply displays aboriginals are over-represented in relation to criminal activity due to the high percentage of aboriginals who have been involved in criminal activity, or who are currently incarcerated. “Cultural conflict, poverty, lack of opportunity, and lack of power contribute to a cycle in which Aboriginal people are imprisoned for criminal behaviours that may be the outcome, in part, of structural inequality.” (Grekul, J, 2008). Deviant acts are carried out to obtain three things, money, power and drugs (Hess, K.M, 2012). In relation to strain, individuals involved in gangs feel the pressure to live up to the label obtained from the view of society. Individuals in gangs, who experience strain cannot be any type of criminal they choose, the majority are limited by the opportunities available to them. (Linden, R. 2015). Aboriginal youth are subject to a variety of stereotyping. This is also in the perception of society, as there are certain stigmas, which usually coincide