The Containment Theory

The Containment Theory was originally proposed by sociologist, Walter C. Reckless in 1961. His theory attempts to explain delinquency as the interaction between two different kinds of control; one being inner or internal pushes, and the other being outer or external pushes. Containment theory suggests that every individual contains an external structure and also a protective internal structure. The strength of these structures determines the actions of the individual, and the severity of their deviance (Hamlin, 2005). Deviance can be defined as the violation of rules or norms (Henslin, 2006).

A person’s inner strength of their personality is considered to be there inner containments or “self” components. These qualities include a strong ego, good self concept, and a well developed conscience. Other traits include a high frustration tolerance and a high sense of responsibility. Outer containments on the other hand refer to a person’s social environment. Aspects of their social environment might include effective supervision, discipline, reasonable limits and responsibilities, reinforcement of goals, and opportunities for achievement. Belonging and identifying with a group and the norms and values which they share are also considered outer containments (DeMelo, 1999).

A twenty year old by the name of David Longo was interviewed for proposes of applying his story to Walter C. Reckless’ Containment Theory. He grew up in a nuclear family household, consisting of two parents and a sister (Henslin,2006). At an early age of eight years old, his nuclear family was turned into a broken home. Davids parents divorced after many years of his mother putting up with verbal and physical abuse from his father. David remained in his home with his mother and his father moved out (Longo).

Throughout most of his childhood, David did not see his father at all and even much of his mother due to her working double shifts as a nurse at a Medical Center. This meant that David was left home with his older sister for the most part. Because of this and his sister’s promiscuity, David saw different men coming and leaving his home on a daily basis. David was disgusted by his sisters actions so as a result, he started spending less time at home and more time with his friends (Longo).

Not many rules and expectations were set by his mother or sister, giving him a lot of freedom to do whatever he wanted to do. Despite this, David stayed out of any serious trouble and received good grades in school; this was until he hit high school. It was around this time that David started traveling down the wrong path. It started off with drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes with his friends and later progressed into smoking marijuana excessively on a daily basis. The habit of smoking marijuana caused David to be tardy for school, and sometimes he would not go at all. It also affected him in the work place. David was fired from three different jobs in a matter of one year because he was caught smoking marijuana on his breaks. His priorities seemed to be in the wrong places, with marijuana being at the top of the list (Longo).

It was only a matter of time before David dropped out of high school. With no structure in his life (such as school or work), David consumed his time with alternative means of satisfaction (Hamlin, 2005). Not only was David doing drugs, but he also started to deal them. At this point, his sister had moved out and his mother was still working, so he had the house to himself. This allowed him to grow the marijuana in his room and also allowed him to deal the drugs right out of his own home. In the beginning, David only sold marijuana, and eventually cocaine. Between his great drug dealing abilities and all the cash, he moved on to “bigger and better” things; crack (Longo).

David’s expectations were rising as well as his status or social ranking (Henslin, 2006). The money was flowing in and he was given the attention and respect he has always wanted. Materialistic items he had dreamed of, such as a Lexus, soon became a realistic possibility. The power and money surpassed any guilt or worry he had about dealing drugs; he was blinded by his success. David was not going to stop for himself, something else was going to have to end his streak of “success”, and that is exactly what had happened. After one of his customers was busted for having crack rocks, they gave in David’s name in exchange for a shorter sentence. David was set up, arrested, and bailed out with his own drug money. He is currently awaiting