Differential Association Theory

There are a significant number of theories as to why juveniles engage in delinquent behavior. Most of these micro- and macro-level theories can be used to explain deviant behavior in juveniles, but there’s only a small number that are able to examine the motivations behind this behavior as much as possible. With all things, there isn’t one theory that can explain and offer any significant and alternative solutions to every issue that may arise in society. This paper will serve to attempt to outline why differential association theory is the best fit to explain why juveniles engage in delinquent behavior, such as substance abuse.

According to the World Health Organization (n.d.), substance abuse is defined as “the harmful or hazardous use

89). The model of differential association theory was created and developed by Edwin Sutherland. Sutherland’s goal was to offer up an alternative sociological explanation to explain deviant behavior across a wide variety of social characteristics – socioeconomic class, race/ethnicity, and gender/sex. He felt that most criminologists of this time period focused too much on the motivations and explanations behind street crimes and crimes committed by the lower class (Bates & Swan, 2014). Sutherland wanted to expand the focus of these motivations as he felt they were unsuccessful at explaining the driving force behind white-collar crime (Bates & Swan, 2014). This theory has seven propositions that further explain this concept and why it plays a part in explaining the causes of juvenile

89). In the event of alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents, early exposure to such behavior from parental figures plays a major role in the way adolescents view the consumption of alcohol and drugs. This proposition is directly connected to the priority aspect of this theory. Priority, as it pertains to this topic, is explained as the earliest an individual is exposed to the behavior or act (Bates & Swan, 2014). It has been firmly established that the earliest socialization of an individual begins with the parents and family; this is the most important time of a child’s life where their morals and values are being shaped. Sharma, Sharma, and Barkataki argue that most incidences of drug abuse are more likely to be passed down from one generation to the next (p. 239). Children who are exposed to constant occurrences of drug and alcohol use generally accept the consumption of both as the norm. As a result of this behavior being a point of normalcy to them, it is far more likely that they will engage in the same type of behavior when they are