Juan Carlos originally hoped to purchase a home. However, because he could not earn enough money to ever afford one, he decided that a home was no longer important. Instead, he found happiness through quitting his job, moving into a shack in the woods, and enjoying the solitude. Merton would classify Juan Carlos's adaptation to strain as:
A) Conformity
B) Innovation
C) Retreatism
D) Rebellion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Juan Carlos's rejection of both the goal of owning a home and the means of working to achieve it is an example of retreatism, which involves withdrawing from both the goals and the means of society. He has retreated to a less demanding lifestyle that allows him to find happiness on his own terms.

Juan Carlos Originally Hoped to Purchase a Home