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Agnew's Strain Theory Analysis

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One of the most complex criminal offences in Australia is property crime as it includes, but is not limited to, burglary, theft, arson, vandalism and shoplifting. “According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Recorded Crime – Victims data, between 2001 and 2009 there has been a decline in motor vehicle theft (57%), burglary (49%) and other theft (32%)” (Brown, 2015, p.1). This paper uses strain theory, the social learning theory; differential association and the social reaction theory or labelling theory to explain why property offences occur.
Strain or anomie theory “refers to the lack of social regulation in which the unrestricted appetites of the individual conscience are no longer held in check (“anything goes”); that is, a state of normalness where appropriate norms are not in place to inhibit deviant behaviour” (White & Perrone, 2010, p.73). “Merton argued that crime can be understood in relation to …show more content…

Agnew argues that the current adolescent generational cohort, in general, is ill-prepared to cope with the social, behaviour and academic demands that typically accompany such privileges” (Taylor, M., Marais, I. & Cottman, R., 2012, p.153). This example shows a clear link to Merton’s area of innovation as “individuals may subscribe to the culturally defined goals, but they do not have the institutionalised means of achieving them. This results in ‘innovative’ means to achieve their goals, and some of which include criminal activity” (White & Perrone, 2010, p.77). Adolescents therefore are prone to committing property offences, such as theft and burglary, because they are highly likely to commit to attain achievement of a goal that otherwise would be

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