Illegitimate Means, Anomie, and Deviant Behavior essay
The research paper Illegitimate Means, Anomie, and Deviant Behavior written by Richard A. Cloward can be found in American Sociological Review. This study is focused on the evaluation and testing of the theory of anomie. It is often termed as strain theory. It is known that this theory has undergone two phases of its development, according to the works of Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton. This study discussed the third phase as it focuses on consolidation of two sociological traditions of thought concerning the problem of deviant behavior of individuals in our society: the anomie tradition and the so-called cultural transmission tradition (or differential association tradition). The anomie tradition was discussed by Durkheim and Merton, while the cultural transmission tradition was discussed by Clifford R. Shaw, Henry D. McKay and Edwin H. Sutherland. It is found that the theory of anomie is based on “pressures toward deviant behavior arising from discrepancies between cultural goals and approved modes of access to them” (Cloward, 1959, p. 164). In other words, it is centered on the certain variations in the availability of legitimate means.
The purpose of this study is to define the concept of differential opportunity structures which helps to extend the theory of anomie and social structure. Taking into consideration the differentials to achieve success by legitimate and illegitimate means, it is possible to conclude that the theory of anomie may be extended and it may include some other theories of deviant behavior which can be found in criminology.
Moreover, this study contributes to the existing research as it gives accurate definition of the term the theory of anomie and proves the fact that deviant behavior of individuals in our society can be explained by this theory. In addition, the author of this study analyzes not only two phases of development of the theory of anomie: the phase I (unlimited aspirations and the breakdown of regulatory norms) and the phase II (disjunction between cultural goals and socially structured opportunity), but also he discussed the third phase (the concept of illegitimate means). Richard A. Cloward (1959) describes two sociological traditions and consolidates them. He says, “our analysis makes it clear that these traditions are oriented to different aspects of the same problem: differentials in access to opportunity” (Cloward, 1959, p.173). The first tradition is based on legitimate opportunity, while the second tradition is based on illegitimate opportunity. It means that the theory of anomie may be extended by incorporating the concept of differentials in access to illegitimate means. In this case, it will incorporate seemingly unrelated studies and theories of individuals’ deviant behavior. Taking the above mentioned facts into consideration, it is possible to conclude that this study contributes greatly to the existing research.
This empirical study is testing the theory of anomie which can be reconstructed due to the consolidation of two major sociological traditions: the anomie tradition and the cultural transmission tradition. The most important ideas from the theory have been operationalized and measured with concrete data in this study. For example, the author discusses phase III of the theory, which defines the concept of illegitimate means. In this phase, Merton identifies five major categories of individual’s behavior, such as “conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion” (Cloward, 1959, p. 167). These categories of behavior depend on the individual’ s acceptance or rejection of the major cultural goals of this or that society, as well as depends on the individual’s adherence or violation of the established institutional norms. According to Cloward (1959), social values can serve to order the choices of deviant behavior which can be developed under the conditions of stressful situations. One of the examples represented in the study is that different ethnic groups have different forms of deviance: the Jews exhibit low forms of alcoholism, while the Irish show the higher rate of alcoholism deviance in society. The other example is that a person of lower class has less stringent norms of behavior. It means that he can easily violate the established norms and regulations “with less guilt and anxiety” (Cloward, 1959, p. 167).
Besides the above mentioned facts, Richard A. Cloward evaluates the concept of differentials in availability of illegitimate means, which is considered to be one of the major points of American criminology. The author of the research focuses his attention on the processes, by which “persons are recruited into criminal learning environments and then inducted into certain criminal roles” (Cloward, 1959, p. 169). In addition, the author refers to the works of Shaw and McKay who proved the fact that delinquency and crime are unlimited in their areas. They came to the conclusion that particular importance should be assigned to the integration of different age groups of the offenders. For example, stealing is a common practice among teenagers. In most cases it is approved by their parents. It means that “access to criminal roles depends upon stable associations with others from whom the necessary values and skills may be learned” (Cloward, 1959, p. 170).
The major conclusions of the study are the following:
The concept of differentials in availability of illegitimate means helps to solve problems regarding the varying crime rates among age, ethnic, religious, sex groups and some other categories of social division. This concept can be effectively used in understanding the illegitimate behavior of individuals in the social structure. In addition, this concept can help to extend the developing theory of anomie and social structure. Moreover, the author of the article states that “the concept of differential systems of opportunity and of variations in access to them will suggest new possibilities for research on the relationship between social structure and deviant behavior” (Cloward, 1959, p. 176). One more important conclusion is that by taking into consideration the conditions of access to both legitimate and illegitimate means, it is possible to identify the circumstances under which different models of criminal or deviant behavior of individuals may arise in our society. Access to illegitimate means may vary inversely with class position of an individual in the society.
The strengths of the study are concluded in the fact that the author uses a variety of reliable sources to test the theory of anomie and define the role of deviant behavior and illegitimate means. Richard A. Cloward refers to the works of such well-known sociologists as Emile Durkheim, Robert K. Merton, Kobrin, Edwin H. Sutherland, Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay. The limitations of the study are concluded in the lack of statistical data, which could be used to prove the ideas and thoughts of the author.
This article adds many important facts to the theoretical tradition concerning the theory of anomie, deviant behavior and illegitimate. According to Cloward (1959), “of the various criteria governing access to illegitimate means, class differentials may be among the most important”(p. 173). It is proved that such differentials as age, sex, race, ethnicity, kinship, etc. can be used in criminology to define criminal activity as they are historically associated with the representatives of the lower class. However, it is proved that most middle class and upper class persons will have difficulties in performing illegal acts because of inappropriate preparation and lack of ambition. It means that criminal attitudes and skills can be easily acquired by the individual who belongs to a lower class. This information can be effectively used in the theory of anomie of criminology. In addition, the study proves that some occupations give good opportunities to individuals to be engaged in illegitimate or criminal activities. For example, businessmen are under constant pressure to employ illegitimate means in their activities in order to hold the leading positions in the competitive market.
To sum up, the article Illegitimate Means, Anomie, and Deviant Behavior by Richard A. Cloward can be regarded as an effective study of the theory of anomie that is focused on the pressures towards the individuals’ deviant behavior, which occurs due to discrepancies between cultural goals and approved models of access to these goals. This study is worth analyzing as it gives readers an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the theory of anomie, which defines a lack of social norms and its impact on society.
