A General Strain Theory of Racial Differences in Criminal Offending

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Tyler Askew Professor White CCJS370 February 17, 2014 A General Strain Theory of Racial Differences in Criminal Offending – Discussion Question #2 The reading “A General Strain Theory of Racial Differences in Criminal Offending” by Kaufman, Rebellon, Thaxton, and Agnew presents explanations of how general strain theory can provide a reasonable justification on the racial differences in criminal offending. In my opinion, these authors provide logical reasoning to the differentiations between races in regards to crime and delinquency. Based on the reasons provided by the authors, I believe that general strain theory does provide the best explanation for these racial differences in criminal behavior. Throughout the reading, the authors contribute many reasons for the racial differences in crime and delinquency. The main concept behind these explications is that different races are faced with their own unique types of strains. These types of strains are economic, family related, educational, communal, and discriminatory. All of these strains have some level of interconnectivity with one another that can lead to people committing criminal acts. The reading mainly focuses on the African American and White racial groups. Even though all of these strains have an influence on the racial differences in crime, I believe that the community contributes a lot to these differences. By observing at a community, one can derive that a community branches out to numerous types of strain. According to the text, African Americans show a disproportionate number of residents who occupy areas where there are higher rates of violence and economical disadvantages. These disadvantaged neighborhoods usually lack good public schools, job opportunities, and more often promote criminal behavior. With the lack of job opportunities in a poverty infused area, one might succumb to criminal

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