Social Structure Theories Focus On The Economic And Social...

Social structure theories focus on the economic and social conditions in which lower-class youth live. The relationship between socioeconomic structure and crime is a relationship that scholars concluded that effected urban areas in which it promoted criminal behavior. While studies have shown a direct link between lower-class citizens and crime it is mistake to predispose all of them to a life of crime. Social structure theories examine why lower-class youth are more likely to commit crime than middle and upper-class youth. Social structure theories focus on two major factors that influence delinquency: socioeconomic conditions and cultural values. These conditions and values, in turn, are based on social and economic inequality in the†¦show more content†¦Those who don’t have equal opportunity are considered â€Å"strains† thus more likely to be a delinquent. People have differential means available for achieving these culturally supported goals. Some have blocked opportunities, maybe because of class location or socioeconomic status, but also because of race, ethnicity, or gender discrimination. As a consequence these individuals are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means. Society offers members of different social group’s very different institutional means of achieving its goals such as opportunities for education regardless of ability, fulfilling work, and financial aid. A gap between effort and reward makes it impossible for some people to set realistic, achievable goals or to plan legitimate ways of achieving their goals. People can break out of this system but it is not easy. For example, imagine a fisherman casting his net over the side of the boat, while the net is designed to catch certain fish it cannot catch all of them no matter what some of the fishes will escape or avoid the net. This analogy represents the social theory structure where some people can break through poverty while the odds for othe r are too great to overcome. Subculture plays a big part in increasing or decreasing the chances of an individual to break out of poverty. Subculture is a set of values, norms and beliefs that differs from those within the dominant culture. If a personShow MoreRelatedMarx, Max Weber And Emile Durkheim948 Words   |  4 PagesIn assessment of sociological theory it is imperative to our understanding of social theory that we analyze the ideologies of some prominent theorists such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Émile Durkheim. Karl Marx’s philosophical ideals on society and class division are impactful in shaping our understanding of society. Inequality and social division is at the heart of Marx’s theory of society. Marx’s theorized that society is the history of class struggles. 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Some Writers Reflect The Culture They Live In Others Challenge It Essay Example For Students

Some Writers Reflect The Culture They Live In Others Challenge It Essay In what ways and with what effects has The Dolls House offered a critique of the culture? Ibsen wanted to use his play A Dolls House to challenge the norms of society and criticize the way middle-class married woman were looked at. He wanted to portray Noras struggle through the restriction of society. The theme of a womans right to individuality and the theme of a man and his wife trying to live their own individual lives were the cause of harsh criticism and controversy in the play because the audience of the late 19th century had never seen women as equals to men. They felt the play was too unrealistic, as in those days women were not seen as individuals but as dependent on their husbands or their fathers. The play created uproar in the contemporary theatres with Nora rejecting her family life and separating from Torvald. Noras character and her relationship with Torvald were Ibsens tools to criticize societys portrayal of a typical housewife Ibsen challenged the views of the people at that time by portraying middle class women in a way they had never been seen in. We will write a custom essay on Some Writers Reflect The Culture They Live In Others Challenge It specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The theme of a middle-class woman trying to be independent and do business behind her husbands back was Ibsens way of challenging the stereotype of a middle-class woman. He portrayed Nora as the typical 19th century housewife at the start of the play as can be seen in the dialogue between her and her husband, Torvald and by how she goes along with her husbands whims and fancies. But you also see her keeping secrets from her husband when she hides the macaroons from him Hel: Hasnt Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today? Nora: No; what makes you think that?1 This was a foreshadow to the other much bigger secret that Nora kept from Torvald about borrowing money from Krogstad. Nora realized that she could not be bound down by the norms of society and by her husbands views. Torvald wanted Nora to do what he wanted and think what he thought. He wanted her to be able to live up to his image in society. Nora decided that she could not take that sort of treatment. She wanted to start working and living for herself, not having to be tied down by social customs. This made her leave her children and Torvald. Her decision to leave shocked theatergoers, as they had never seen anything like it before as it totally went against the culture of the time. The theme of a husband and wife both having to live separate lives was also criticized harshly because it was not considered proper in society for a man and is wife to be divorced at that time. Torvald was portrayed by Ibsen as the typical husband who thought his wife could not live independently. He also was only concerned with his social position. He did not care what trouble Nora would have to face because she forged her fathers signature but was worried about what society would think of them. Ibsen went against the culture at that time by showing the wife as an independent person who could live without the help of her husband or her father. Divorce was frowned on by society and divorcees were shrouded with social stigma. Ibsen felt hat showing a wife and her husband, as two individual entities would challenge the cultures prejudice that a wife needed her husband or her father to provide for her. Noras character was the main component of Ibsens rebellion against the 19th century society. She was rebellious and independent. She lied to Torvald and ultimately left him when she found out that he only worried about his social position. She may have appeared to be a simpleton but it was only a guise. She actually knew a lot about business because of the loan she had taken. She also was able to keep a lot of secrets from Torvald for a very long time. Ibsen used her character to show what the new age woman would be like. He wanted the audience to feel that she was what modern woman would be like. .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .postImageUrl , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:hover , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:visited , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:active { border:0!important; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:active , .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5 .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7f3783b1dc6d6579d91e82d1b7e6f7b5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The experience of being female EssayThe relationship between Torvald and Nora and the gender roles was also a challenge to the culture by Ibsen. In most of the play, Torvald is the one with the power in the relationship while Nora is the subdued servile one. Torvalds choice of nicknames for Nora like squirrel and skylark almost imply that Nora is more of a pet than an equal for Torvald. This was almost like a typical middle class relationship at that time. But towards the end of the play Nora realizes that she does not want to be treated as an inferior anymore. She felt that Torvald did not love her but was concerned with his social position. Their relationship turned on i ts head when Torvald read Krogstads letter. Nora realized that Torvald was only concerned with his social position. She left Torvald and her children to live by herself. She did not care what society would think of her. It was social convention that decided what her role would be but her individuality made her separate from Torvald. Ibsen used Torvald and Noras relationship to bring about the conflict between freedom and societys norms. Ibsen used the themes of his play and Noras character to challenge the culture of his time. Society looked down upon independent women and divorces. Ibsen wanted to change the views of society. The play is based on the clash between societal norms and independence. When the play ends with Nora becoming independent critics were flabbergasted by Ibsens portrayal of women. The portrayal of women in A Dolls House though controversial in the 19th century is accepted view in todays day and age which was just what Ibsen expected it to be.