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The reading about social structure theories to be very interesting.
With strain theory, as presented by Merton, an individual unable to accomplish the goal of material wealth, because the means to do so are unavailable, is under strain. Our text states, "If an individual is strained, how do they adapt to the strain? Merton developed five modes of adaptation" (Taylor, 2019). Conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism, and rebellion are the five modes.
Conformity is acceptance of the goal and the ways to achieve it and is unlikely to commit crime. Ritualism is lowering the bar of expectations and keeps working with the ways to achieve their goal and are unlikely to commit crime. Innovation is acceptance of the goals but does not believe in the ways in which to achieve it and thus attempts other more inventive ways to accomplish the goal, crime being okay to commit to get there.
Retreatism does not accept the goal or the ways to achieve it and thus tend to find their way to addiction and will commit crimes to support themselves. Rebellion is also rejects the goal and ways to achieve but uses different goals and and ways making them more like gangs or militia and thus committing crime.
Expanding upon this with Agnew's General Strain Theory gives a broader sense of the goals and means and allowing a better understanding like in the case of middle and upper class who might have material wealth but commit crime anyway as a means to secure even more wealth thinking their current ways are not enough.
General Strain Theory also breaks down the strains as any kind of negative effect on an individual which may not be the same from person to person. Cyber stalking and harassment could be the result of strains due to perceived negatives. Our text says middle and high school students act out because of they do not think they are popular or liked (Taylor, 2019, p.58).
The example given by the book is about a group of girls who may have felt angry or frustrated for some reason against their peer Piper Smith and lashed out with a YouTube video about ways to kill her. I believe we would have less crime and hurt feelings if more people would believe in Jesus.
The first verse that comes to mind is in Luke, "He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself," (Luke 10:27, NIV) and the second is, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal," (Matthew 6:19-20, NIV).
As we keep sharing our love of Jesus with others, hopefully it continues to trickle out and there will be less strain and crime in our world! Taylor, R. W. (2019). Cyber crime and cyber terrorism. NY, NY: Pearson.