Deviance and Control

Deviance, Crime, and Social Control SOCI 1306 Deviance and Control Deviance is a wide notion with many facets that includes a variety of behaviours that go against social, cultural, or environmental standards. These norms, as articulated by sociologist William Graham Sumner in 1906, comprise codified laws, folkways, and mores. Deviance is a key notion in understanding how societies work since it is important for both enforcing social order and causing social change. The complex link between deviance and crime is exemplified by the Wells Fargo affair, in which the company's actions resulted in substantial harm to over a million clients through the establishment of false bank accounts and needless vehicle insurance programmes. The fact that no one was imprisoned for these crimes, even though they were criminal, shows how crime, punishment, and deviance are not all connected. Deviance is not a simple notion to understand; how it is interpreted relies on a number of variables, such as the act's context, audience, and participant. For example, behaviours that are seen as abnormal in one context could be regarded as normal or even commendable in another. This relativity is demonstrated in commonplace situations: it is OK to listen to music while strolling to class, but it is considered impolite to do so during a lecture. Extreme instances describe actions that, while normal in one historical or cultural setting, are viewed as abnormal in another. Though cultural acceptability of males wearing skirts is still restricted, dress standards in public schools in the United States sixty years ago often forbade women from wearing trousers. Today, this trend has reversed. The intricacy of crime and deviance in the banking sector is shown by the Wells Fargo event. Improper fees, overcharges, worse credit ratings, and in over 25,000 cases, wrongful auto repossessions were experienced by over a million people. Despite being obviously illegal, these acts spared no Wells Fargo workers from jail time. This disparity emphasises how crime and deviance do not always fit easily into punishment categories, especially when it comes to white-collar crime. The impact of the act and the people involved also greatly influence how the public views deviance. According to sociologists like Howard Becker, the classification of an act as deviant is contingent upon how society views it, making deviance a social construct. Rosa Parks' defiance of racial segregation rules during the American civil rights struggle, for instance, was a sort of deviance that significantly impacted societal change. Comparably, by opposing segregationist regulations in Arkansas's public schools, the Little Rock Nine questioned accepted social mores and aided in the integration of American society. These instances show how deviation from the norm may advance society and overthrow unfair institutions. Deviance, from the standpoint of structural functionalists, fulfils a number of significant roles in society. It defines acceptable and undesirable behaviours, hence elucidating society standards and values. When people or groups behave differently from these expectations, it might serve to further define the bounds of what is considered appropriate behaviour in society at large. Deviance also fosters social cohesion by separating "us"—those who follow social norms—from "them"—those who don't. This differentiation has the potential to enhance intragroup cohesion and group identification. Deviance can also serve as a spark for societal transformation. Deviant behaviours can draw attention to society problems and spur reforms by pushing limits and defying accepted standards. For example, major legal and social reforms resulted from the civil rights movement's rebellion against segregationist practices, which revealed the systemic racial inequalities in American society. Similar to this, modern social movements frequently advocate for structural change by using abnormal behaviours to call attention to problems like gender inequity, climate change, and economic injustice. Because norms are changeable, anything that is deemed deviant now might not be in the future, and vice versa. For instance, during the past several decades, there has been a dramatic shift in how drug usage is perceived. Many states and nations have legalised marijuana for either medical or recreational use, despite the fact that it was originally thought to be a hazardous and unlawful narcotic. This change is a reflection of shifting social mores and a reexamination of what behaviour is considered abnormal. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light even more how norms and deviations are subject to change. The decision to wear or not wear a mask became divisive, with actions classified as acceptable or deviant according to local laws, political connections, and public health norms. This illustration shows how rapidly social norms may shift in reaction to novel situations and how deviation is placed both chronologically and culturally. In summary, deviance is a dynamic and diverse idea that is essential to society functioning. It includes a broad spectrum of activities that go against social standards, ranging from little transgressions like picking one's nose in public to serious offences like fraud. Particularly in the context of white-collar crime, the instance of Wells Fargo's fraudulent practices highlights the intricate link between deviance, crime, and punishment. Sociologists understand that deviations are not always bad; in fact, they may promote social change by drawing attention to unfair structures, encouraging introspection, and igniting transformation within society. Deviance's meanings and perceptions change along with society standards, underscoring the context-dependent character of this concept. An act's classification as deviant is contingent upon the societal reaction, which is shaped by contextual, historical, and cultural elements.