A young boy from a poor neighbourhood is being raised by a caring but overwhelmed single mother.Every day he sees her struggle and compares this to the flashy lifestyle of the drug dealers on the street.He turns his back on his mother's values and starts selling drugs.What theory best explains this case?
A) control theory
B) choice theory
C) anomie theory
D) strain theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Strain theory suggests that individuals who feel strain or pressure to attain certain societal goals but lack the means to achieve them may turn to deviant behavior as a coping mechanism. In this case, the young boy may feel pressure to attain a lifestyle similar to the drug dealers he sees, but lacks the means to achieve it through legal or legitimate means. Therefore, he turns to selling drugs as a way to cope with the strain he feels.

A Young Boy from a Poor Neighbourhood Is Being Raised