Reference no: EM133332875

Strain theorists view crime as a direct result of frustration and anger among the lower socioeconomic classes. Inhabitants of disorganized inner-city feel isolated, frustrated, ostracized from the economic mainstream, hopeless and eventually angry. How do these feelings affect criminal activities depicted in the films Boyz in the Hood and Clockwork Orange? How do the characters adapt to his or her own concept of society's goals and his or her own degree of access to the means to attain them? Robert Merton argues that each person has his or her own concept of soceity's goals and his or her own degree of access to the means to attain them. He also proports that four varied modes of social adaptations are employed by individuals.

1. Conformity: An individual embraces conventional societal goals and also have the means to attain them.

2. Innovation: An individual accepts the goals of society but are unable or unwilling to attain them through legitimate means yielding innovative solutions such as stealing, selling drugs, etc.

3. Ritualism: An individual practices traditional ceremonies, regardless of whether they have a real purpose or goal.

4. Retreatism: An individual rejects both the goals and the means of society.

5. Rebellion: An individual substitute an alternative set of goals and means for conventional ones.

Are any of these adaptations evident in the characters of 'Boyz in the Hood' and 'Clockwork Orange'? In what ways are they depicted? Is there evidence of such adaptations in your community or surrounding ones? What solutions do you recommend for those who do not chose adaptation 1 or are all five necessary to have a balanced society?