Running head: ANOMIE THEORY 1

Anomie Theory
Name
Institution
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Anomie Theory
Anomie theory, well-known as strain theory, refers to the means to an end. This word,
“means to an end,” can be explained to denote that the goals present in the society are too far
unreachable for certain individuals; therefore, such people may decide to turn to illegal methods
of attaining them. This paper seeks to explain four components of anomie theory and other two
important components supporting anomie theory while giving concrete examples from Alexa
Albert’s book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women.” Anomie theory offers insightful
explanations, especially with the use of Albert’s book, on how cultures developed in the society
tends to defy all odds and legalize what is universally accepted as illegal, the prostitution.
With the concept of legal prostitution, Albert's book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its
Women,” portrays an attitude of deviance in the society. In her book, especially regarding
behaviors, she denotes of liberal women who are non-emotional alongside their customers
(Albert, 2002, p. 143). It means that the anomie theory alone cannot be used to explain the
concepts extensively. Therefore, feminist theory, as well as social control based on anomie
approach, is useful. Also, ethical considerations are crucial while discussing strain theory as they
offer further insights.
First originated by Emile Durkheim, and later advanced by Robert Merton, anomie theory
delves on the culture as well as social structures in the society. Therefore, strain theory addresses
the gaps set by community and how members may rise to the occasion to solve them. If there are
no proper regulations for people to attain set objectives, then people may turn to new
perspectives to obtain their needs. Prostitution is not a legal thing; thus, it is a delinquent
behavior of achieving end goals. In anomie theory, people have five main ways to adapt to the
pressure of society: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
Conformity
In this typology, it describes those people who conform to the set out culturally valued
goals in society and then follows the correct pathway of obtaining them by following the steps of
these norms. Therefore, the social psychology analysis defines various forces that control certain
person or group of people to conform to specific standards in the society. In other words,
conformity can be taken to mean succumbing to pressure which may take different forms such as
persuasion, teasing, criticism, or bullying. In most cases, it indicates an agreement to go along
with the majorities’ position instigated by a desire to fit in or urge to conform to a social
function. Notably, there are different forms of conformity. They include compliance,
internalization, identification, and ingratiation.
Compliance occurs when a person accepts influences from others in a bid to get favors.
This kind of conformity may involve some internalized systems of punishments when a person
does not adhere to the laid down rules and regulations governing such an arrangement. In
Albert’s book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women,” the prostitutes were mandated to obey
specific rules within the organization (Albert, 2002, p. 201). For example, the instruction of not
kissing client or engaging in intimate arrangement with customers was not allowed. Also,
compliance is indicated when the state of Nevada enacted laws to govern taxation as well as
mandatory use of latex condom to prevent transmission of diseases.
In internalization, a person accepts certain norms because the induced behavior’s content
is rewarding, to mean, such adapted character are congruent with the set value system. For
example, prostitutes would follow specific rules such as cutting social relationship with people
outside the brothel as a way of preserving their self-esteem. Identification form of conformity
describes influences that make a person to self-define himself/herself with another individual. To
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demonstrate, various sex workers would socialize with each other while eliminating outsider’s
influence. In short, they conformed to the commonality of engaging sexual activity. Last,
ingratiation occurs when a person submits to impress other groups.
The approval of condoms in prostitution evidence the elements of conformity based on
Albert’s book. In this sense, society knows very well that it is used for immoral purposes.
However, it is still imminent that its users are encouraged to reduce risks such as sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancies, especially in the brothels (Blithe, & Wolfe, 2017,
p. 742). In particular, Albert’s exploration as she moves to Mustang Ranch has revealed the
concept of deviance properly. Her journey started in as a medical student from Harvard, public
health department. In her project, she conducted research and examination on the condoms’ use
for sex and its efficacy in preventing STDs. Notably, Nevada Brothel Associations’ leader,
George Flint, approved her involvement and it took her three years to gain full access to the
ranch, and she was amazed to be permitted to stay in the brothel while conducting research.
In the anomie theory, it does not matter what one has to do to gain financial prowess. In
the book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women,” the author denotes that the girls did not
care about being prisoners as long as they were getting money (Albert, 2002, p. 164). The girls
were living in the ranch for several months in full shifts, and each lasted for around 12 hours in a
day whereby they would serve 10-15 men. It is an illustration of anomie theory. In this case, the
concept of conformity is still evident. The girls were restrained behind the locked electric fence
so that they could not access the normal social life of the world. As a result, they became loyal
workers of the brothel and followed every rule as illustrated by their ritualistic work methods.
Ritualism and Innovation

Another important concept of anomie theory is ritualism, which is depicted in the book.
In this approach, it seems the prostitution was legal in the Mustang Ranch. It is an approach
created by Merton as a part of anomie theory. It delves on the tendency to go about the motions
of daily life even if one does not conform to set values or aims that align with them. In this
concept, a person rejects the normative objectives of society; however, he or she would still
contribute to the means of attaining such goals. This form of deviance delves on the snubbing the
normative objectives of society, yet such a person continues to act in a way aligning with set out
norms accepted in the community. For example, many prostitutes could not exit the premise even
after accruing a large sum of money. They had conformed to the system of prostitution, and they
felt comfortable at working at Mustang Ranch.
It means that it was socially approved behavior aimed at achieving elusive goals for the
prostitutes (Wolfe, & Blithe, 2015, p. 543). Albert, however, was hesitant as to whether to adopt
and support the idea of brothels. It showed the lack of norms in the anomie theory. For example,
many prostitutes rejected the set-out rules of paying their rooms at the expense of clients of the
management. These restraints were socially accepted in the Mustang Ranch management;
however, the sex workers were objected to it. Based on Albert’s interview, most of the
prostitutes were not in support for it, yet they continued to work at the brothel. In another
example, the brothel rejected the stigmatization involved with sex working. However, this
condemnation did not stop them from pursuing prostitution. Ritualism is closely-knit with
innovation. It is because people have to become creative at coming up with new methods of
achieving the end.
In innovation, people use unapproved social methods or unconventional means to get
what they want. In this case, the approach does not matter in any way; instead, the result is what
ANOMIE THEORY 4

people want. In most cases, people may tend to reject the legal form of reaching the end means.
Instead, one would come up with an innovative way of achieving that objective. In Albert’s
book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women,” the workers do not care even prostitution is
condemned. However, what matters here is the urge to get money from the clients. They engage
in sexual activity with lots of people per day to get the money. Notably, these women get a lot of
pressure from families, and some even have children to take care of, yet they do not have a job or
any viable source of income ((Blithe, & Wolfe, 2017, p. 739). It is for this reason that the owner
of the Mustang Ranch saw it wise to set up a brothel, an illegitimate means at the time of
establishment, to get what they need.
At this time of establishment, the state of Nevada had not even legalized the existence of
the brothels, but the gradual creation of them and casinos instigated the state to come up with
unique laws, which are non-existent in other regions of the USA. For example, they became
innovative at introducing a law that necessitated the brothels to adopt the use of condoms made
of latex to protect people from contracting STDs. Additionally, they came up with legislation of
taxing brothels, and even fraud schemes, which promoted the eventual downfall of Mustang
Ranch. In brief, it was an innovative way of the government to get funds from such business
setups, which is unconventional, thus prompted their collapse.
Retreatism
In retreatism, people tend to reject all objectives and ties associated with society, thus
becoming isolated and not giving signs of respect to the rules and regulations. It is the rarest
form of strain. People defy all norms involving both means and end goals. As a result, one
becomes rebellious, and it could result in asocialization or social alienation, which then can
promote a tendency for criminal activities. In this method, the actors advance for new end goals
as well as new means of acquiring. In most instances, these actions are unwanted and classified
as criminal activities. In Albert’s book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women,” prostitutes
know that what they are doing is unconventional and unwanted in society. However, they insist
on engaging in sexual activities to gain money.
In 1999, it was forfeited to the federal government after owners were charged with
racketeering, and tax fraud activities (Wolfe, & Blithe, 2015, p. 545). All these activities are
clear examples of illegal methods used by the management to get rich. As one of the largest
brothel premise in use at the time of its establishment, the state expected the business to comply
with taxation regulations and do remittances in time. However, the owners resorted to dubious
means of trying to enrich themselves. Racketeering means engaging in some scrappy methods to
achieve the end objectives. Well, these suspicious activities were detected and charged
accordingly. The actions of the management were classic examples of retreatism.
The retreatist subculture was apparent as Flint introduced it in the brothel. This culture
offered the girls the opportunity to enjoy all forms of deviant behaviors, especially prostitution,
to achieve their objectives. For example, Baby was one of the prostitutes in the brothel as one of
the longest-serving women in the Mustang Ranch. She enjoys her work as an escort and takes
pride in it. This Baby’s behavior was a consolation to cover up the illegal activity she was
undertaking to accomplish her end goal. Prostitution was at this time condemned strongly in
society; thus, the process of having sexual activity with others was an outright deviation from
those societal norms. The prostitutes were aware of this, yet, they engaged in doing it repeatedly
even if they had earned enough quantity of money.
Notably, the blacks were not permitted to be served in the brothel for some time. They
had to move to another house built in 1967 built explicitly for them. Later, the segregation
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ceased, yet the prostitutes were signaled not to line up for them. It was an act of racism, an act
which is condemned in the society, yet, the prostitutes took heed of the signaling not to give in to
black men. Even if it is a mild form of retreatism, it holds up for the principle as the women
tended to be selective in terms of choosing men based on race and ethnicity. Also, some women
could be taken out in parties held outside the brothel. It was against the rules, yet the
management permitted it to go on selectively.
Stereotyping of Women
Based on feminist theory, deviance results from stereotyping of women due to inequality
in society. From Albert’s book, sexual immorality in the Mustang Ranch is encouraged by men
as the husbands of the prostitutes encourage them to work (Albert, 2002, p. 45). Albert had
acquainted herself with problems that these women undergo, mainly to cope up with the pressure
of feeding the family. Albert had worked with prostitutes who were homeless; thus, she was
familiar with ethical issues associated with sex workers. Nobody had been permitted to conduct
the study at Mustang Ranch, so this permission encouraged her to do the research.
Females were forced to work in the brothel at the expense of their will. Nevada is
typically a male-dominated society, and girls were under pressure to serve clients. Notably, some
customers would pick younger or older women, which is logically unethical. Some clients would
even come drunk in the brothel and abuse some girls in unmannerly ways. Albert (2002), during
her interviews, she denoted that one woman had tried to get a pimp, to avoid abuses. As a sign of
being misused, women would line up in the brothel, and the man would come and pick his
favorite. It is a show of disregard for the plights of women, and this demonstrates that they are
objects incapable of making their own decisions. For example, the story of Tanya, one prostitute
working in the brothel, testifies about exploitations in the Mustang Ranch, whereby each person
was mandated to pay for her room at the expense of the management or the clients.
In another example, the Albert chronicles about total control by the pimps and
management. In this case, they were not given the rule to serve between 10-15 people every
shift, and even attend outside-based parties for specific rollers. They lacked a say in decision
making but instead acted as objects, which could be used at will. The only thing they could do is
stick to the instructions as they come and not to question anything concerned with the way they
are supposed to operate in the firm. In another instance, the women are believed to be
defenseless and cannot offer their security. As a result, their rooms were furnished with alarm
systems and security personnel reinforced in the compound to provide contingency response in
case there could be any danger. On the whole, such inequalities and perceptions of women
promoted the women to behave in a certain deviant way in a bid to live and approve that they can
live to fulfill their dreams of gaining financial prowess.
Social Control in Anomie Theory
Society does not approve sex working, and this directs a lot of social stigma to the
victims, thus enormous social control. In another case, non-prostitutes’ employees in the brothel
indicate social controls. Others such as doctors who cross-examined the girls were given limited
exposure to some issues around the place. Therefore, some forms of persuasion methods of
social control sign of censure were apparent on these people as they were given significant
isolation during the study. Also, the media access to significant ordeals in the brothel were under
full control. The management directed everything that they wanted to get out in the social media,
television programs, and information offered to their audience about the girls in the firm.
A formal social control emerged in 1985, especially during the spread of HIV/AIDs, in
the form of the use of latex condoms during sexual activity with any prostitute (Albert, 2002, p.
ANOMIE THEORY 6

67). This method was aimed at curbing the spread of STDs. Something of noteworthy, Nevada
law had come into place demanding customers to use the condom at all times while having coitus
with prostitutes (Wolfe, & Blithe, 2015, p. 561). As a result, all the girls had to conform to the
generated house rules not to reject any male client who adapted to the laws regardless of their
nature or financial incapability. To reinforce these rules and regulations, rooms had security
buttons, and security guards were around the compound to respond to any alarm.
Another sign of formal social control is found where the government benefited from
taxing the brothel. The financial aspect was so engraved in the American Dream, and the brothel
worked towards ensuring it (Blithe, & Wolfe, 2017, p. 745). The federal government imposed
certain sanctions on the business and auctioned to other people after it was realized to have been
involved in racketeering and tax fraud. Sooner, it closed since they could not mend the charges
against them imposed by the federal government. Social control in the strain theory is present in
this considered section of the study. The business was expected to conform to the demands of the
government. The failure, as it happened, led to its closure and termination of ownership. It was
then sold to another person who revived it under the same name but different management.
Conclusion
On the whole, Albert’s book, “Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women,” offers an
insight into crucial aspects of the strain theory. Conformity is one of the essential elements of
anomie theory, and it is evident in the movie, especially where the use of condoms, as they were
legalized by Nevada laws. In a real sense, society condemns prostitution, yet they are authorized
for use in the brothels. Another proponent of anomie theory is that the end justifies the means. It
does not matter what the prostitutes were doing as long as they were getting money. Ritualism
was also apparent at Mustang Ranch. Even though prostitution is condemned in society, they
made it legal within the premise by setting rules such as restrained social life and no kisses to
make it appear like a legal activity. Retreatism rejects all cultural goals of the society as well as
means of attaining them while creating new methods of obtaining them. For example,
prostitution is condemned, yet the girls could still do it and get money. Last, stereotyping the
women encouraged men to misuse women, especially by forcing them to work as prostitutes to
get money for their families.
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References
Albert, A. (2002). Brothel: Mustang Ranch and its women. Ballantine Books.
Blithe, S. J., & Wolfe, A. W. (2017). Work–life Management in Legal Prostitution: Stigma and
lockdown in Nevada’s Brothels. Human Relations, 70(6), 725-750.
Wolfe, A. W., & Blithe, S. J. (2015). Managing Image in a Core-Stigmatized Organization:
Concealment and Revelation in Nevada’s Legal Brothels. Management Communication
Quarterly, 29(4), 539-563.