Street Youth, Strain Theory, and Crime

• NCJ Number: 214720
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2006 Pages: 209-223
• Author(s): Stephen W. Baron
• Date Published: March 2006
• Length: 15 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using a sample of homeless street youth, this study tested a more complete model of the classic strain theory's explanation of delinquency causes, whereby relative deprivation, monetary dissatisfaction, monetary goals, and objective structural factors led to criminal behavior; it also explored the interactions between these factors and the conditioning effects of peers, beliefs, and attributions.

Abstract

The findings show that measures of strain such as monetary dissatisfaction and more consistently relative deprivation were significant predictors of crime. Also, the effects of these measures consistently increased when they were conditioned by poor economic circumstances. Strain theory was further supported when the study found that the disparity between monetary goals and expectations for financial success were linked to criminal behavior. There was some evidence that those who perceived relative deprivation and who interacted with greater numbers of deviant peers were more likely to engage in crime. Those dissatisfied with their monetary situation and who blamed others for their situation were also more likely to engage in crime. The findings both support and raise questions about the classic strain perspective and some of its extensions. Relative deprivation was a more consistent predictor of crime than monetary dissatisfaction; however, both of these measures were predictive of crime when they were conditioned by objective socioeconomic circumstances. Strain theory is particularly relevant as an explanation for crime in a society that emphasizes economic goals and achievement. The 400 unemployed, homeless youth (24 years old and under) in the sample (265 males, 135 females) were interviewed between May 2000 and August 2001 in a large Canadian city. The dependent variable was involvement in self-reported crime. Independent variables pertained to items related to monetary goals, expectations, and relative deprivation. 4 tables and 76 references