Many of us no doubt deal with tension throughout our lives; it depends on how we deal with it to determine whether we will commit a crime or simply resort to working harder. Strain theory was developed by Robert K. Merton. My perception of strain theory is that it implies that social values ​​and norms drive people to commit crimes because of a gap between goals and current outcomes. Furthermore, the theory holds that acceptable goals include money and education, and that the correct means of obtaining them include work and honesty. However, people from different socioeconomic groups have different chances of achieving these goals, and those who are unable to achieve them are much more likely to experience tension. My way of interpreting the question is: “is strain theory generally a good explanation of why individuals commit crime?” I believe this tension is significantly compelling as to why individuals commit crime, although not directly because it is coping strategies that lead to crime. This will be explained by stating 1. Tensions that most often indirectly lead to crime, 2. Factors that lead to tension, and 3. Coping strategies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThis shows a sequence that should imply that factors or circumstances lead to tension, tension leads to coping strategies which then lead to crime. In a way both factors and tension lead indirectly to crime. Coping strategies lead to crime instead of tension leading directly to crime. Individuals may face tension when they are unable to achieve goals through acceptable means. Among these goals are financial stability, material possessions, and improved social status. Society emphasizes that these goals, among others, should be achieved through honesty and hard work, yet society has systems and laws that prevent those of lower socioeconomic status from achieving these goals. One of the best-known systems is the school-to-prison pipeline, which refers to an almost direct path from the education system to the juvenile or adult criminal justice system. According to a study on discipline and socioeconomic status conducted by Verdugo and Glen, those who receive reduced school lunch are more likely to be suspended from school. (Verdugo and Glenn 8). When an individual is suspended, they may be labeled negatively. As a result, they may begin to express primary deviance due to labeling. This basically means that they will start behaving in the negative way they are labeled. In summary, lower socioeconomic status means that individuals are more likely to be disciplined in school and develop negative behaviors that prevent them from achieving their goals, thus leading to strain. Furthermore, society makes it extremely difficult to achieve social status through culturally acceptable means. Many scholars argue that people from lower socioeconomic groups, especially youth, tend to resort to gangs to gain respect, money, and social status through unacceptable means rather than dealing with the situation in a positive manner (Anderson 75). Elijah Anderson goes on to argue that these individuals need to “campaign” for respect on the streets. Earning respect through these means causes individuals to constantly become involved in crime.Therefore, individuals who are unable to gain respect or social status through culturally acceptable means tend to resort to crime. As I mentioned before, harsh discipline and negative secondary school experiences, among other things, have been shown to actually lead to crime (Agnew 2005, 2006b). Furthermore, tension leads to negative emotional reactions which in turn lead to crime; a way to escape tension instead of dealing with it through positive means. (Agnew and Brezina 104). These tensions are most likely to lead to crime when people are unable to achieve their goals and are unwilling or unable to cope with them through positive means. In general, tension is most likely to lead to a negative attitude and criminality when an individual sees the following factors; tension is unfair when the individual experiences too much tension and when the individual has little social control. When people work hard and are still unable to achieve their goal, they may view it as unfair and believe that achieving their goals through unacceptable means is tolerable. For example, a well-qualified candidate, usually a minority, goes to apply for a job related to his or her skills or education. They are called for an interview in which they participate, it may or may not go well but days later they will most likely receive the news that they have been rejected by the company. Now, this happens frequently and can happen to anyone for any reason. However, discrimination is still one of the most common reasons why people fail to find work (Baron 425). In this case, unemployment due to discrimination is undoubtedly unfair, but society is structured this way. While some people may respond by continuing their job search, others may instead respond with frustration which will most likely lead to tension. We see that discrimination is a factor leading to unemployment which is a type of tension. Furthermore, when there is great tension, the individual may resort to crime after realizing that he is unable to achieve his goals on various levels. occasions or if there is a huge gap between their current state and their goals. It is commonly believed that people are generally more likely to commit crimes when they are unable to achieve financial stability. “Drug dealing is more likely when the unemployed have stopped looking for work and when they are extremely dissatisfied with their monetary situation” (Baron 420). In other words, individuals living in extreme poverty face high-magnitude strain and are in a position where the gap between their goals and current status is extreme. While I agree with this statement, it doesn't take into account that money is not the only reason people commit drug crimes, it could also be for compliance in the street system, as I said before. They may turn to drug dealing not only to gain wealth, but if they are part of gangs it could also be to seek respect. Furthermore, low social control is another factor that leads to negative coping. To illustrate this, an individual may be rejected by family or peers throughout their life and develop this sense of low socialization with others. As a result, when faced with a situation where they are unemployed or have no social status, they respond with anger and frustration as a way to cope with the situation. Without a doubt, this would lead to crime. Considering discrimination as an unjust factor of tension, poverty.