How does the social structure theories apply to Charles Manson and his crimes?

Social Structure Theory

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Social Structure Theory

When assessing the applicability of social structure theories to Charles Manson and his crimes, we can conclude that strain and social disorganization theories play an essential role in the development of crime in Manson. According to the social structure theories, places that people live in the socioeconomic structures profoundly shape their behavior and influence susceptibility to criminality (Anderson, 2015). The schools of thought in this theory include social disorganization, cultural deviance, and strain theories. According to social disorganization theory, people living in shantytowns are likely to violate laws and commit crime due to broken social control. Manson lived in a family with a criminal background and impoverished conditions, where he lacked the finances and capital to provide for his needs adequately, which necessitated the life of crime. Manson was exposed to extreme conditions such as abuse, prostitution, crime, substance use, and jail terms among his family members all in the name of survival. This exposure and a lack of resources necessitated the development of crime.

Strain theory argues that people are likely to develop criminal behaviors because of anger and feelings of inequality due to the inability to achieve the equal socioeconomic success that they feel legitimate to. Strain related crimes have an end goal of wealth acquisition as well as societal respect and status, which was Manson’s ultimate goal due to strains he has faced in earlier life (Atchison & Heide, 2010). Through the cult ‘family, ‘Manson acquired wealth, status, and respect that he yearned for. Moreover, Manson’s life was full of neglect, loss, especially of his mother at a younger age, and underprivileged that resulted in him being treated as an outcast, who never felt loved. Due to these strains, Manson decided to take up the opportunity of crime, which resulted in wealth, respect, and status in society.

References

Anderson, J. F. (2015). Criminological Theories: Understanding Crime in America. Burlington: Jones & Bartle Learning LLC.

Atchison, A. J., & Heide, K. M. (2010). Charles Manson and the Family: The Application of Sociological Theories to Multiple Murder. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (IJO), Vol 55(5), pp; 771-798.