Status Management in the Adolescent Social System: A Reformulation of Merton's Anomie Theory

Abstract

In the case of juvenile delinquency, three discrete, testable propositions are implied. First, youngsters from various socio-economic strata are subject to similar success pressures and aspirations. Second, youngsters from lower socio-economic backgrounds perceive fewer legitimate opportunities to obtain desired success goals than do youngsters from upper and middle class backgrounds. Third, if success orientations are constant, the lower the opportunity, the higher the delinquency.