What Is Deviance? Essay Example

Deviance can be defined as any form of violation of norms in a society. It can be distinguished from a crime since it is based on individual perception and has influence on family, societal and religious systems. Some of the cultures in the United States that are considered deviant by other cultures include legalization and taxation of prostitution, not believing in God, legalization of gay marriages, political affiliations, indecent dressing as well as legalization of marijuana. Social norms comprise customary rules governing behavior in a society. The norms guide the behavior of such society, and any violation is perceived as deviance.

Durkheim regards deviance as an integral aspect in any society. He considers it as normal to any healthy society. The positive impacts of deviance are; it affirms cultural norms and values, promotes social unity, clarifies moral boundaries, and encourages social changes. Anomie is a social state where a society lacks cohesion and order in relation to its values and norms. Merton’s theory of deviance focuses on the strains that a society undergoes to attain some approved social goals, but find avenues closed. The five modes of adapting include; innovation (finding new means), conformation (they are not deviant), ritualizing (abandoning social goals, but still obey social norms), retreating (lagging behind), and rebellion (work to overthrow society).

Differential association theory observes that adherence to norms of low-class society causes crimes. For example, in the 1900s, research by Clifford Shaw showed that crimes in Chicago decrease as one moved from the center to the suburbs with wealthy people. Social disorganization theory states that a crime occurs in societies with no social control and weak social ties. For examples, children born in places with violence and drug abuse are likely to be criminals. Labeling theory examines the reactions of others towards the behavior regarded as deviant. For example, a student who frequently gets into fights and cuts classes is regarded as a “troublemaker” in the school.