Understanding Juvenile Deviance Through General Strain Theory

Introduction

The General Strain Theory (GST) explains the causes of criminal or deviant behavior in people. Specifically, juveniles who experience stress at home or school are prone to aggressiveness. However, when addressing deviant behavior among juveniles, it is essential to consider other environmental factors. As described in the case study in this essay, transparent communication can prevent a juvenile’s aggressiveness. Although GST explains the causes of the deviant behavior of juveniles, it is critical to approach each case individually.

Emotional Basis of Deviant Behavior

Manifestations of evil behavior have a significant emotional or mental basis, which should be studied to find a solution to the problem. The GST – a criminological theory – was developed by Robert Agnew and explained the relationship between people’s strain experience and manifestations of rage and aggressiveness (Thaxton & Agnew, 2018) (Beginning of the first introductory paragraph). For juveniles, the cause of aggression may be peer bullying or a stressful home environment. However, it is essential to remember that many other factors influence juvenile delinquency.

Impact of Home Environment

As mentioned earlier, an unfavorable home environment can cause aggression. I remember a case at school when one boy constantly argued with the teachers and was not friends with any students. There was no apparent reason for this. However, after working with a school psychologist, it turned out that his parents were on the verge of divorce. He witnessed arguments between his parents, which affected his school behavior. Although there is nothing unusual about divorce, parents must clarify the problem to the child. In this case, the reluctance of his parents to adequately define the situation and their ignorance of his emotional state made him a bully at school.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the General Strain Theory allows us to understand the causes of the deviant behavior of juveniles. While experiencing bullying or stress can cause criminal propensity, examining other environmental factors is essential. The case described in this essay highlights the importance of communication, which can avoid aggression in the future. As society strives to reduce juvenile delinquency, addressing the root causes of such behavior is critical.

Reference

Thaxton, S., & Agnew, R. (2018). When criminal coping is likely: An examination of conditioning effects in general strain theory. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 34(4), 887-920. Web.