Merton’s Strain Theory (Essay Sample)

Merton’s Strain Theory
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Merton’s Strain Theory 
General Overview of Merton’s Strain Theory
Merton’s strain theory highlights that there are culturally set goals that societal members desire to achieve. For these goals to be achieved, there are approved opportunities or avenues that societal members should make use of. Quite often, there is a strain that emerges as people seek to achieve these goals. The strain comes into the picture when there is an imbalance between the goals that people pursue and the means of achieving them (Hoffmann, 2003). The truth of the matter is that not all people will be in a position to attain the culturally set goals. As a result of this strain, a section of the society feels left out for not being able to realize the culturally set aspirations.
Major Premises of the Theory
One of the major premises of Merton’s strain theory is that a state of anomie comes about as a result of the tension between the aspirations of the people and the means of achieving those aspirations. For example, acquiring money and status is a goal that members of the society aspire to achieve. The society goes ahead to come up with socially structured means of achieving these aspirations. Examples of these means or avenues of achievement include getting good education and well-paying jobs. According to the society, the above-mentioned are the legitimate ways of achieving goals and people should follow them (Hoffmann & Ireland, 2004). In the event that