Question

Identify and fully discuss three ways in which the American society favors segments of the population while neglecting others. In other words, in what three ways does the American society favor one group over another or, in what three ways is Merton correct in his assumptions?

Answer 1

Answer.

Robert Merton’s Theory of social strain focuses on the way social deviance is an inbuilt feature of unequal distribution of resources in society. Typically, institutions of the state such as the police, educational systems, law an justice, etc. are different in their treatment of members from different race, sex, class, age, etc. all of which perpetuate greater social inequality. Generally, society may neglect the development and welfare interests of certain communities such as less securitisation of neighbourhoods occupied by the poor in the cities which may result in higher incidence of crime there, lack of community infrastructure in healthcare for the racial and economic minorities, and by disadvantaged social status such as limiting access to higher executive jobs to women, racial minorities etc which may increase their tendency towards pursuing the socially acceptable goal of accumulating wealth by unlawful means.

All these three conditions lead to social Strain which creates discrepancies between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve these goals. In this way, strain can perpetuate social structures within society which then create social pressure on citizens to become criminals.