Social Control Theory and Solving Drug Abuse

Social Control Theory and Solving Drug Abuse

Social Control Theory was created by Travis Hirschi. It proposes that the relationships between people and their surroundings, commitments, values, and beliefs encourage them not to break the law or to break them. In today’s world, most crimes are associated with this theory. Accordingly, Iceland dealt with teenagers abusing drugs and getting drunk. There are bonds Hirschi outlined to conventional social institutions: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief (Krohn and Massey 529-544).

In Iceland, almost half of the teenage percentage were drinking; thus, the country took responsibility in several ways, including setting rules. Parents took responsibility by getting home early to spend enough family time with their children. Essentially, this was a policy guided by the social control theory under attachment, whereby healthy relationships with family and friends positively impacted behavior. Furthermore, to prevent this issue, the government set a curfew for teenagers aged sixteen and below, which they had to adhere to it. Significantly, this was a sign of commitment whereby they had to follow the set curfew rules due to the consequences.

The other solution used was keeping teenagers involved. They believed that idleness significantly tempted the children into drinking and drug abuse. As a solution, teenagers were involved in sports and extra-curricular activities. Accordingly, this is an involvement strategy according to the social control theory. Travis believed that people do not have time to engage in illegal behavior when involved in acceptable activities.

Finally, this program is reproducible in the United States because the country faces teenage drug abuse. According to research, many people under age 21 die from alcohol-based issues such as suicide and accidents each year. The United States should avoid law enforcement strategies and try methods such as spending more family time and ensuring teenagers are occupied (Milkman and Jonsson 315-324). To summarize, the social control theory has helped prevent and control drug and drinking abuse amongst teenagers; therefore, it can also be used to solve other delinquent behaviors.

Works Cited

Krohn, Marvin D., and James L. Massey. “Social Control and Delinquent Behavior: An Examination of the Elements of the Social Bond.” The Sociological Quarterly 21.4 (1980): 529-544. Web. 19 Mar. 2022.

Milkman, Harvey B., and Gudberg K. Jonsson. “Perspective — Iceland Succeeds At Preventing Teenage Substance Use.” Future Governments (2019): 315-324. Web. 19 Mar. 2022.

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Watch the BBC report on how Iceland dealt with its teenage drug problem.

Social Control Theory and Solving Drug Abuse

Which elements of Iceland’s policies seem to be guided by social control theory?
Do you think such a program is reproducible in the United States? Why or why not?