Introduction
Breaking Bad is a critically acclaimed television series that depicts the life of Walter White. White is a high school chemistry teacher who makes and sells methamphetamine after being diagnosed with cancer. The character of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, is an excellent example of how individuals can turn to crime due to the strains they face in their lives.
This paper will use Robert Merton’s Strain Theory to explain White’s criminal behavior in the series. Specifically, it will then provide an overview of the theory, including its main components, pioneers, progression, assumptions, and criticism. In addition, the paper will discuss White’s background and criminal behavior, presenting evidence to support the theory’s ability to explain his actions. Finally, the paper will discuss the policy implications of the theory, including strategies to prevent offending and discourage others from engaging in similar behavior, and suggest future research to test the theory’s explanatory power further.
Plot, Character, and Criminal Behavior
Breaking Bad is a widely regarded crime and drama television series that features not only compelling characters but also intense drama and expert storytelling. The series is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and follows the transformation of Walter from a mild-mannered and law-abiding citizen into a ruthless drug kingpin (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.).
The show begins with Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher, receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis. Faced with the prospect of leaving his family with nothing, Walter decides to use his chemistry knowledge to cook and sell methamphetamine (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). Walter is initially reluctant to enter the drug trade but quickly becomes addicted to the power and money it brings him.
Despite his growing success as a drug lord, Walter’s actions heavily affect his personal life, and he becomes estranged from his wife and son. As the series progresses, Walter becomes ruthless and paranoid, committing increasingly violent and heinous crimes to protect his business and himself (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). He lies to and manipulates his family and friends, endangers the lives of innocent people, and even kills those who stand in his way. His criminal behavior is driven by various factors, including his desperation to provide for his family after his cancer diagnosis, his feelings of inadequacy as a provider and husband, and his desire for power and control. Moreover, he is also influenced by external factors, such as the drug trade’s highly profitable nature and other criminals’ influence in the industry.
Throughout the series, Walter’s criminal behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous, ultimately leading to his downfall. This is because rival drug dealers and law enforcement constantly threaten him, and he struggles to maintain relationships with his family and friends. He also faces moral dilemmas as he is forced to confront the human cost of his actions and the harm his drug production is causing others. Walter’s criminal behavior has far-reaching consequences for himself and those around him. The show examines the morality of Walter’s actions and the consequences of his choices, ultimately leaving the audience to ponder the cost of power and the human toll of criminal behavior.
Walter’s Background Information and Crimes Committed
Walter White is the protagonist of the critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad. He is a middle-aged high school chemistry teacher who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). At the beginning of the series, he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
As a result, out of a desire to provide for his family after his death, he decides to use his knowledge of chemistry to produce and sell high-quality methamphetamine (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). In the series, Walter is portrayed as a complex character grappling with moral, identity, and power issues. He is initially portrayed as a sympathetic person driven to desperate measures by his circumstances. However, as he becomes more involved in the drug trade, he begins to lose sight of his original motivations and becomes more ruthless and violent.
Crimes Committed
In Breaking Bad, Walter White commits various crimes in pursuit of his criminal enterprise. These crimes include not only the production of methamphetamine but also its supply, laundering of money, robbery, and assassination (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). Walter is not a typical criminal but a person who is compelled to engage in illegal activities out of desperation and feelings of inferiority. Initially, his goal is to provide for his family after his demise, but he is eventually drawn into the excitement and influence of being involved in the criminal underworld. His activities have a profound impact on his personal life, and he becomes estranged from the people around him. He becomes increasingly ruthless and violent, and his actions lead to the deaths of numerous people, such as rival drug dealers. Even though his purpose was to provide for his family, his criminal deeds eventually ruined his relationship with his family members and those of others.
Background
Walter’s background is complex and multifaceted, with various factors contributing to his eventual turn to crime. He grew up in a middle-class family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended the California Institute of Technology, where he was among the students who received the Nobel Prize (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). Nonetheless, he quit his postgraduate studies and became a high school chemistry teacher, where he felt unsatisfied and underappreciated.
Moreover, he is also a family man, married to Skyler, with whom he has a son named Walter Jr., who has cerebral palsy (Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013) – Plot – IMDb). (n.d.). Despite his family responsibilities, Walter’s life is marked by failure to seize opportunities and achieve his full potential. This feeling is intensified by his cancer diagnosis, which he perceives as a terminal illness that will deprive his family of a breadwinner.
Environment
The environment in which Walter was raised and lives plays a vital role in shaping his character and choices. Albuquerque is a city with a significant drug problem, and Walter’s exposure to the city through his brother-in-law, a DEA agent, contributes to his knowledge of the drug trade. However, his inadequacy and desperation drive him to turn to a life of crime.
Moreover, growing up in a working-class family also influences Walter’s worldview. He sees himself as a victim of circumstance, with his scientific talents undervalued and unrecognized. This feeling of being held back by societal factors significantly influenced his decision to turn to crime. Additionally, his experience as a chemistry teacher and former researcher provides him with the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality methamphetamine, setting him apart from other drug producers.
Strain Theory
Components, Pioneers, and Evolution
Strain theory is a sociological theory that explains deviance and criminal behavior as a result of the strain experienced by individuals within a society. Stern (2022) posits that the theory is based on the idea that social structure and cultural values can strain or pressure individuals, leading to deviant or criminal behavior. The theory was first proposed by Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, and was later developed by Robert K. Merton (Stern, 2022).
Components
The main components of the theory include the concept of social structure, cultural goals, and the means to achieve those goals (Hay & Ray, 2020). According to the theory, society sets cultural goals that individuals highly value, such as financial success, material possessions, and social status. However, not everyone has equal access to achieving these goals. Social structures, such as class, race, and gender, can create barriers to achieving these goals for specific individuals, resulting in a sense of strain (Stern, 2022). This strain can lead to deviant or criminal behavior as individuals seek alternative means to achieve their goals.
Durkheim’s Developments
Strain theory has its roots in the work of Émile Durkheim. According to Durkheim, social structures greatly influence how people behave. Durkheim suggested that when individuals cannot achieve their goals through legitimate means, they experience a sense of normlessness, which can lead to deviant behavior (Stern, 2022).
Merton’s Contributions
Robert Merton further developed Durkheim’s ideas and proposed the strain theory in the mid-20th century. Merton argued that American society is built on the belief in the “American Dream,” which is the idea that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination (Armstrong et al., 2019). However, Merton believed that not everyone has equal access to achieving this success, including access to education, wealth, and social connections. This strains individuals who have aspirations for success but lack the means to achieve them.
Modes of Adaptation
Merton further developed the strain theory by introducing five modes of adaptation to strain. These modes include conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion (Collins & Menard, 2021). Conformity occurs when individuals adopt societal goals and the approved methods for achieving them.
Innovation refers to individuals who accept cultural goals but reject the means to achieve them, leading to alternative means, such as criminal behavior (Collins & Menard, 2021). On the other hand, ritualism occurs when individuals reject cultural goals but accept the means to achieve them, resulting in a lack of ambition or motivation. Retreatism refers to individuals who reject cultural goals and the means to achieve them, leading to social withdrawal (Collins & Menard, 2021). Rebellion involves people who not only reject established cultural goals and the accepted ways of reaching them but also strive to introduce alternative goals and methods.
Strengths of the Strain Theory
Strain theory can explain why some individuals who experience the same level of strain do not engage in illegal activities. This is because the theory acknowledges the significance of individual factors, such as self-control and resilience, in moderating the relationship between strain and criminal behavior (Kuptsevych-Timmer et al., 2019). Additionally, the theory acknowledges the significance of social factors in influencing an individual’s behavior.
According to this theory, the root cause of criminal behavior lies not within the individual but the societal structures and institutions that create an unequal distribution of resources and opportunities (Zhang, 2019). This perspective allows for a more nuanced understanding of crime and the factors that contribute to it. It emphasizes addressing social inequalities and creating a more just and equal society.
Ultimately, strain theory provides a comprehensive explanation of criminal behavior, encompassing various potential causes, including poverty, inadequate education, unemployment, and social marginalization (Zhang, 2019). The theory is instrumental in explaining the criminal behavior of marginalized or disadvantaged groups, who may face greater strains and fewer opportunities to attain their objectives through proper channels.
Criticism of The Strain Theory
However, there are also several criticisms of the strain theory. According to Kuptsevych-Timmer et al. (2019), strain theory overemphasizes the importance of economic factors in explaining criminal behavior and overlooks other vital factors, such as psychological and cultural factors. Additionally, the theory has been criticized for being overly deterministic and failing to recognize personal volition and decision-making.
The theory also does not fully explain why some individuals may pursue alternative means of achieving their goals, such as education or entrepreneurship, rather than committing a crime (Robinson & Rogers, 2018). Finally, strain theory does not apply to all types of crime. While the theory is useful in explaining property crimes and other forms of opportunistic crime, it is less effective in explaining violent and organized crime, which is often motivated by factors beyond strain, such as power and status.
Discussion
Strain Theory and Walter’s Criminal Behavior
According to the strain theory, individuals may resort to criminal conduct when they are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate channels. In the case of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, his financial inability to provide for his family was a significant source of strain. After being diagnosed with cancer, he faced mounting medical bills and was forced to work two jobs to make ends meet. He felt frustrated and trapped, unable to provide for his family as he desired.
This frustration and sense of entrapment may have contributed to Walter’s decision to turn to a life of crime. Specifically, the opportunity to produce and sell methamphetamine presented itself as a way for him to make quick and easy money. In this way, Walter’s criminal behavior can be seen as a response to the strain he experienced due to his inability to provide for his family through legitimate means.
Empirical Evidence
Several empirical journal articles have explored the applicability of strain theory to criminal behavior, and several of them provide evidence to support the theory’s explanatory power in Walter White’s case. For instance, Taştan (2019) argues that strain theory can be applied to white-collar crime, which involves individuals and corporations committing nonviolent offenses for financial gain. He suggests that corporations may turn to criminal activity when faced with economic pressures and a lack of legitimate opportunities to achieve their goals. Similarly, Flores et al. (2018) argue that strain theory can be used to explain a range of criminal behaviors, including drug trafficking, burglary, and robbery. The authors argue that individuals who experience strain may resort to criminal behavior as a means of managing anger, frustration, and bitterness.
Moreover, empirical research has supported the link between strain and criminal behavior. For instance, research by Agnew and Brezina (2019) revealed that individuals who experience strain as a result of failing to attain their goals are more likely to engage in criminal activities. Additionally, a study by Higgins and Nicholson (2020) found that financial strain is a significant predictor of criminal behavior, particularly property crimes. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the applicability of strain theory to Walter White’s criminal behavior.
Evidence Refuting the Strain Theory
While strain theory provides a compelling explanation for Walter White’s criminal behavior, evidence also challenges the theory’s explanatory power. Specifically, strain theory assumes a direct relationship between strain and criminal behavior. However, this assumption is not always the case.
For example, Boccio and Beaver (2021) in their research work discovered that the link between strain and criminal behavior is not always straightforward. Boccio and Beaver (2021) posit that while financial strain was a significant predictor of criminal behavior, other sources of strain, such as interpersonal conflict and job dissatisfaction, were not consistently related to criminal behavior. This suggests that strain may not be the only factor contributing to criminal behavior and that other individual and contextual factors may also be necessary.
Explanatory Power
In the case of Walter White, the main character in Breaking Bad, strain theory provides a plausible explanation for his criminal behavior. The theory argues that Walter’s lack of legitimate opportunities to achieve his financial goals and desire for material wealth and social status led him to the drug trade. This is consistent with Higgins and Nicholson’s (2020) argument that individuals experiencing strain may turn to crime as a means of coping with their anger, frustration, and resentment. As the series progresses, Walter’s motivations also become tied to his desire for power, control, and respect, consistent with strain theory.
Additionally, strain theory suggests that social structures and inequalities can contribute to the experience of strain. Walter’s lack of healthcare access and financial difficulties due to the high medical treatment costs are structural factors contributing to his strain. Furthermore, the societal expectations of men to provide for their families add to their sense of strain. The theory also explains why Walter is willing to continue his criminal activity despite the risks involved. The potential rewards of financial gain and power, coupled with the lack of legitimate opportunities, make continuing in the drug trade an attractive option for Walter.
Ways to Prevent Similar Behavior as Walters
Providing Access to Legitimate Means of Income
A lack of access to legitimate means of income can lead to frustration and desperation, prompting individuals to turn to criminal activity. Governments and societies need to ensure that individuals have access to education, job opportunities, and other legitimate sources of income. Job training, financial assistance, and other similar programs can do this. Individuals with the means to support themselves and their families are less likely to engage in criminal activity.
Addressing Mental Health Issues
Mental health is a crucial factor that can lead an individual toward criminal activity. People struggling with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma are at risk of turning to crime as a coping mechanism. Providing adequate mental health care, including counseling and therapy, can help individuals better manage their emotional and psychological distress.
Further Research
Strain theory has been applied to explain various forms of deviant behavior, including crime, delinquency, and substance abuse. While the theory has received considerable empirical support, several avenues for future research remain to test its explanatory power further. One potential area for future research is examining the impact of strain on different types of deviant behavior. For example, researchers could investigate whether the strain is a more significant predictor of property crime versus violent crime. Additionally, the researchers could examine how different forms of strain, such as economic strain versus social strain, relate to different types of deviant behavior.
References
Agnew, R., & Brezina, T. (2019). General strain theory. Handbook on Crime and Deviance, 145-160.
Armstrong, J., Carlos Chavez, F. L., Jones, J. H., Harris, S. D., & Harris, G. J. (2019). “A Dream Deferred”: How Discrimination Impacts the American Dream Achievement for African Americans. Journal of Black Studies, 50(3), 227-250.
Boccio, C. M., & Beaver, K. M. (2021). Low self-control, victimization, and financial hardship: Does low self-control moderate the relationship between strain and criminal involvement? International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 65(1), 3-23.
Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008-2013)-Plot- IMDb. (n.d.). IMDb.
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Flores, J., Hawes, J., Westbrooks, A., & Henderson, C. (2018). Crossover youth and gender: What are the challenges of girls involved in both the foster care and juvenile justice systems? Children and Youth Services Review, 91, 149-155.
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Kuptsevych-Timmer, A., Antonaccio, O., Botchkovar, E. V., & Smith, W. R. (2019). Scared or attached? Unraveling important links in strain–crime relationships among school students. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 63(8), 1175-1201.
Robinson, M., & Rogers, J. (2018). Applying contextual anomie and strain theory to recent acts of corporate deviance. Journal of Theoretical & Philosophical Criminology, 10(2).
Stern, L. (2022). The Anthem Companion to Robert K. Merton. Anthem Press.
Taştan, S. (2019). White-Collar criminals and organizational criminology: Theoretical perspectives. In Ethics in Research Practice and Innovation (pp. 296-322). IGI Global.
Zhang, J. (2019). The strain theory of suicide. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 13, e27.