Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the American Dream and Its Implications
- The American Dream as a Source of Strain
- Deviant Responses to the Strain of the American Dream
- The Psychological Impact of Strain from the American Dream
- Addressing the Strain of the American Dream to Reduce Deviance
- Conclusion
Introduction
Strain Theory, developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton, explores how societal pressures and structural inequalities can lead individuals to engage in deviant behavior. The theory posits that when there is a significant gap between socially valued goals and the legitimate means available to achieve them, individuals experience a sense of strain. This strain, stemming from the inability to fulfill societal expectations, can lead to frustration and, in some cases, deviant responses as a way to cope with or resolve the pressure they face.
In the context of American society, the concept of the “American Dream” represents a powerful societal ideal that promises success, wealth, and upward mobility for those who work hard and seize opportunities. The American Dream is deeply rooted in values of individualism, perseverance, and meritocracy, creating a vision of success that is accessible to anyone who is willing to put in the effort. However, for many, this ideal remains elusive, as social, economic, and structural barriers prevent them from achieving the success that the American Dream promises. This article examines how the American Dream itself can serve as a source of strain, analyzing how the gap between societal ideals and personal realities leads to frustration and, for some, deviant behavior.
Understanding the American Dream and Its Implications
The American Dream is a powerful cultural narrative that positions success, wealth, and upward social mobility as attainable goals for anyone, regardless of background. It promotes the idea that through hard work, determination, and talent, individuals can achieve a prosperous and fulfilling life. This ideal has long been a cornerstone of American culture, shaping people’s aspirations and influencing how success is defined. The values underpinning the American Dream emphasize self-reliance, ambition, and resilience, presenting a vision of individual success as both desirable and achievable.
While the American Dream offers hope and motivation, it also creates high expectations. In a society where success is seen as the result of personal effort, individuals who are unable to achieve the American Dream may experience feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and failure. For many, the reality of systemic inequalities, economic limitations, and social barriers makes it difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill this ideal. Strain Theory provides a framework for understanding how the gap between the promise of the American Dream and the challenges of real life creates strain, leading some individuals to resort to deviant behaviors in their pursuit of success.
The American Dream as a Source of Strain
Unrealistic Expectations and Social Pressure
One of the primary ways in which the American Dream generates strain is by establishing high expectations that may not be attainable for everyone. In a society that equates success with wealth, prestige, and material possessions, individuals who fail to achieve these goals may feel excluded or devalued. The American Dream promotes a vision of success that is highly individualized, suggesting that those who are not successful simply haven’t worked hard enough. This narrative can create intense pressure, especially for those who face social or economic disadvantages that limit their opportunities.
Strain Theory helps explain how these high expectations lead to strain by setting a standard of success that is often out of reach for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. When people are unable to meet these expectations, they may experience frustration, disappointment, and a sense of personal failure. For some, this strain leads to feelings of resentment or anger, as they perceive the American Dream to be unfairly biased in favor of those with greater resources or social advantages.
Economic Inequality and Barriers to Success
While the American Dream emphasizes equal opportunity, the reality of economic inequality in the United States creates significant barriers to success for many individuals. Factors such as income inequality, lack of access to quality education, and limited social mobility make it challenging for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to achieve upward mobility. For individuals facing these structural barriers, the American Dream can feel like an impossible standard, creating strain as they strive to reach a goal that appears out of reach.
Strain Theory highlights how economic inequality contributes to strain by restricting access to the resources necessary for success. When people feel that they cannot achieve societal ideals through legitimate means, they may experience a sense of hopelessness or disillusionment. For some, this frustration leads to deviant responses, as they seek alternative ways to achieve financial stability or social status. Economic crime, such as theft, fraud, or drug trafficking, can become coping mechanisms for individuals who feel excluded from the opportunities promised by the American Dream.
Cultural Values and the Pressure to Succeed
The cultural values associated with the American Dream place significant emphasis on individual achievement, often creating a sense of pressure for individuals to attain financial and social success. In American society, success is frequently associated with self-worth and personal value, leading people to equate their achievements with their identity. This pressure can create strain, especially for those who feel that they are not meeting societal expectations.
Strain Theory explains that when individuals perceive that they are falling short of cultural ideals, they may experience strain as they internalize feelings of inadequacy or failure. This strain can lead to deviant behavior as a way to manage or counteract these feelings. For example, some individuals may turn to status-enhancing activities, such as conspicuous consumption or risky investments, as a means of asserting their value and aligning with the cultural ideals of the American Dream, even if these actions involve significant risk or ethical compromise.
Deviant Responses to the Strain of the American Dream
Innovation as a Deviant Response
In Strain Theory, innovation is a response where individuals accept societal goals but pursue them through alternative, often deviant, means when legitimate methods are blocked. In the context of the American Dream, innovation is a common response to strain, as individuals who cannot achieve success through conventional paths may turn to alternative means to reach their goals. For instance, economic crimes like fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement can be seen as innovative responses to the pressure for financial success in a society that prizes wealth and material success.
For some individuals, these deviant behaviors are rational adaptations to a system that seems inaccessible. Strain Theory suggests that innovation is not necessarily a rejection of societal values but an alternative approach to achieving success in the face of obstacles. White-collar crimes, such as insider trading or falsifying financial records, are examples of how individuals may resort to deviance as a way to fulfill the ideals of the American Dream when legitimate means are insufficient.
Retreatism: Rejecting Societal Goals
Retreatism is another deviant response to strain, where individuals reject both societal goals and the means of achieving them, effectively withdrawing from the expectations of mainstream society. For those who feel that the American Dream is unattainable, retreatism can manifest as disengagement from traditional paths of success, such as career advancement or material accumulation. Individuals who adopt this response may experience feelings of disillusionment with societal values, leading them to reject the pursuit of success altogether.
Retreatism can take various forms, such as substance abuse, social isolation, or choosing a lifestyle that deviates from conventional norms. For example, someone who feels alienated by the pressure to achieve wealth and status may turn to substance use as a way to escape the strain of societal expectations. Strain Theory helps explain this behavior as a response to the frustration of being unable to meet cultural ideals. By rejecting societal goals, individuals who engage in retreatism relieve the pressure of attempting to achieve the American Dream, finding alternative ways to cope with their dissatisfaction.
