According to Merton's Strain Theory, how does the opportunity structure within a society influence individuals' likelihood to engage in deviant behavior?

Merton's Strain Theory suggests that when people in a society have different opportunities to achieve success, it can lead to feelings of frustration or strain. In a society where everyone is encouraged to reach certain goals, like wealth or education, but not everyone has the same means to achieve these goals, some individuals may turn to deviant behavior as an alternative. For example, if a person wants to be financially successful but cannot find a good job due to lack of education or resources, they might resort to stealing. This shows how the lack of legitimate opportunities can push people towards actions that go against social norms. Therefore, the way a society is structured in terms of opportunities greatly affects how likely individuals are to engage in behaviors that are considered deviant.