There are two main theories by Travis Hirschi explaining what may stop a young person from committing a crime. The first is the social control theory highlights the importance of ties with the family, school, and other aspects of society (Review of the Roots). With time, it transformed into self-control theory, shifting the focus to the individual’s ability to constrain their impulses (Review of the Roots). It seems that the self-control theory is more elaborate and convincing. As the previous one, it underlines the role of effective parenting but, in addition, connects it to the concept of internalized control. Surely, self-control should be nurtured and developed since early childhood, along with such virtues as tolerance and kindness. When a person lacks it, even close social bonds cannot prevent them from deviant behavior. Sometimes young people whose lives and social relations seem harmonious may commit a crime. Therefore, those who cannot adequately assess their actions are likely to lose their temper and violate social norms.
In American society, the cultural values which highlight material goals, make its members strive for wealth. However, those who fail to reach this goal feel frustrated and face anomie defined by Robert Merton as a form of behavior manifested by the people suffering from social strain (Sociology, 2016). This is the case of Jim and Sarah, belonging to the lower class and being unable to achieve the American dream. To bear these environmental pressures, they may turn to a form of adaption called retreatism, which implies “complete escape from the demands of organized society” (Sociology, 2016). In this case, two options are possible: they either choose the deviant role of outcasts and drunkards or a lifestyle called downshifting, which means living simpler lives and rejecting social mobility to escape materialism. It is difficult to say whether they can be prevented from reaching this point because today, material values are constantly promoted by advertisement, which is likely to have a depressing effect on people from the lower class. Probably, they could find some people in the same situation and together come to a worldview of being content with what they have.
References
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. (n.d.). Social Control and Self-Control Theories. Web.
Chrome IAS Academy. (2016). Sociology – Robert K. Merton: Conformity and deviance. Web.