Keith, Mike, and Paul continuously find themselves making poor decisions that lead to law breaking behaviors and suspensions from school. Since they are lower class, Cloward and Ohlin would argue that the boys have limited means to achieving their goals. This in turn leads to their poor decision making. The theory which best describes this situation is ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity argues that individuals in lower class settings have limited opportunities to achieve their goals through legitimate means, leading them to turn to criminal behaviors. This best describes the situation of Keith, Mike, and Paul making poor decisions and breaking the law due to their limited means. Anomie theory may also apply, as the societal breakdown of norms and values can lead to feelings of confusion and ineffectiveness, potentially leading to deviant behavior. However, the emphasis on limited opportunities makes differential opportunity the better choice for this situation.

Keith, Mike, and Paul Continuously Find Themselves Making Poor Decisions