In our modern societies we are surrounded by a lot of social phenomena that are not specified for one person but for the whole society. Some of these phenomena carry a lot of dangers problems that threaten the society and the individuals. People are not aware about these social changes that are happening in our world and how are they affected us, however, sociologists do. Emile Durkheim one of the important sociologists, introduced the term anomie in 1897 . Anomie means a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals.
Back days when life was simple, anomie condition did not exist. Because people were attached to their traditions and families, they depend on each other, and groups were very important. Also, the individual who is against this old system they considered him a stranger. However, in the modern societies, people forgot their traditions, norms, culture, families, and morals so they end up with anomie. Within globalization and modernity, morals diminished until disappeared. People commit crimes, steal, and suicide. Modern society normalize a lot of things that are against our morality. For example, cheating is a wrong behavior and contradict with Muslims’ behaviors, especially in Islam religion according to the prophet Mohammed saying;” whoever cheats us is not one of us,” (Saheeh Muslim) . Currently, students in schools and universities are cheating in their exams and assignments as if it is a normal action to steal someone effort and work.
Modern societies, modern technologies, and diversity in the one country have opened the world in front of our eyes. Therefore, people in the Middle East are being away from their traditions and start to adapt western culture. Let's take UAE "United Arab Emirates" as an example. In the past people concerned about their tradition from all aspects. Emirates were talking their Arabic native language which is part of their culture. On the other hand, these days a lot of families are talking English language as their native language in their homes when they are talking to each other or when they are out with their friends. Moreover, the new generation in the country they do not know anything about the culture. They do not know how to deal in the occasions like wedding or banquet, and they do not know the proper expressions that they have to say them back. Therefore, they are ignorant in their country and with their people.
Anomie is characterized as a feeling of normlessness. This results from a breakdown of social norms and without these norms to guide an individual they are unable to find a place in society or adjust to the constant changes in life. The consequence becomes the individual feeling a sense of dissatisfaction, frustration, conflict and ultimately deviance. Robert Merton addresses the five ways in which individual adapts to strain by limiting the socially approved goals and means. These five modes of adaptation include conforming, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. In Falling Down different characters can be linked to one or more of these five adaptations.
Robert Merton created his strain/anomie theory with a large influence from Emile Durkheim’s anomie theory. Durkheim stated that anomie is the “normlessness or deregulation” of society. One of Durkheim’s major points that Merton focused his theory on is “Western society placed a great emphasis on ‘achieving industrial prosperity’ without corresponding attention to restraining people’s appetites for success.” (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, p. 65)
On his own, Durkheim contributed a number of elements to the newly founded field. Firstly, in 1893, Durkheim published his first major work, The Division of Labor in Society. (Johnson 51) This book was groundbreaking, in that he introduced the concept of "anomie", which is the breakdown of the influence of social norms on individuals within a society. Next, in 1895, he published The Rules of Sociological Method, which was his second major work. This was a manifesto discussing what sociology is and how it ought to be taught and carried out. Then, he published his third major work, Suicide: A Study in Sociology. This was a case study that explored the differing suicide rates among Protestants and Catholics, and argued that stronger social control among Catholics results in lower suicide rates. In 1912, Durkheim published his last major work, The Elementary Forms of The Religious Life. This book analyzes religion, through the lens of a social phenomenon.
Since social norms and rules are subject to change, there is a wide concept as to what deviance actually means. The concept of social deviance is explained as the transgression of socially established norms. For example, there is a wide variety in defining social deviance, but one might consider “sex before marriage” deviant, whereas in other places this practice is common. Also, killing someone might be considered deviant until we do further research. One might propose the question of self-defense, and this is where the “ABC’s of deviance” come to play. I was interested in social deviance because it filled a gap of ignorance for me. Often times I wondered why people performed deviant acts and what was their motive. By understanding social control I was able to fill that gap with knowledge.
The social strain theory also known as Anomie theory was developed by Robert K. Merton, who stated that social structures mainly influence individuals to commit crimes. Anomie is a state of dissatisfaction illustrated by the possible discrepancies between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve these goals ( Thompson 148). Merton proposal was based on a person 's motivations to cultural goal, and a person 's belief in how to attain his goals. Merton observed that many internalize the culturally approved goal of “getting ahead” which means high social status and money. For example, in the film Lil’Ze is constantly seeking power and money throughout the film. He strives to be the most powerful criminal seeking wealth and fame. He becomes frustrated with his low-status and lack of opportunity and seeks another a way of poverty. Carrot, another character in the film is known to of obtained this goal of wealth and status in the City of God. Carrot is a drug dealer with nice clothes, jewelry and car. Lil’ Ze and Benny idealized his lifestyle and discuss how they start to deal drugs to achieve their goals. Merton discusses that some people , particularly those disadvantaged lower class unhappily realize that they will not be able to achieve those idealized goals through legitimate means. As a result, the resort to illegitimate means to reach
Desfor Edles, Laura and Scott Appelrouth. 2010. “Émile Durkheim (1858-1917).” Pp. 100 and 122-134 in Sociological Theory in the Classical Era. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Our society as a whole is beginning to evolve into numerous classifications. Our society branches off of the social norm structure that we have thrived from for our whole existence. Now however, people in society are going throughout their lives not always aware of the impacts that their choices and influences make on the everyday world around them. From the time people are able to grasp the concept of right and wrong until it is their turn to pass down what is right or wrong, they are not only affecting the social structure of life, but the lives of so many around them, whether they may know it or not. Although most people in society try to avoid the negative forces around them, it is now becoming an excruciating challenge to avoid the pressure and rise to a daunting task. With so many types of deviance floating around the air, it is now nearly impossible to try and not get exposed to deviance and the consequences that come with it. Deviance does not just occur in one place either. Now, it is harder than ever to not catch this behavior. It is
Merton’s strain or anomie theory is important for a number of reasons: the significance of culture and social structure; the acknowledgment of responsive attachments of individuals to standards and values of society; the idea that definite societal characteristics can result in a set of different categorical responses.
After reviewing the article titles given for this first assignment, I believe they indicate that Sociology, generally speaking, is not only a study of diversity or commonality in traits among people; it is also a science about factors in a person’s life and how these factors culminate responses. Interestingly enough, its topics of concern seem to be directly determined by current and common events of the world. Through the invention and expansion of new ideas, popular trends and fashions through time, Sociology adapts to responsibly to service the very subjects of interest it studies; for, even the slightest change of a person’s daily experience can have an insurmountable impact on attitude, personal growth, family dynamics and basic group behavior.
As we all have observed, throughout history each culture or society has unique norms that are acceptable to that group of people. Therefore, to establish and come to the acceptance of these basic norms, each society must develop its’ own strategies and techniques to encourage the fundamentals of behavior, which is clear in our modern society. Most do assume that everyone in a society will follow and respect such norms. However, some tend to deviate from the adequate norms and demonstrate deviant behavior. Nevertheless, we are inclined to ask ourselves, why do people decide to violate such important standards of living?
Featherstone, R., & Deflem, M. (2003). Anomie and strain: Context and consequences of Merton’s two theories. Sociological Inquiry, 73(4), 471-489.
Sociology is the study of the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how individuals interact within these environments. Sociology at one time was not a respectable or well-known field of study until Emile Durkheim, a college professor, made sociology a part of the French college curriculum. Durkheim is regarded as one of the founders of sociology. He introduced sociology as a branch of learning separate from other sciences by declaring that sociologists must examine specific characteristics of group life. In this paper, I plan to provide some insight into who Emile Durkheim was and his contributions to the field of sociology.
Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber are all important characters to be studied in the field of Sociology. Each one of these Sociological theorists, help in the separation of Sociology into its own field of study. The works of these three theorists is very complex and can be considered hard to understand but their intentions were not. They have their similarities along with just as many of their differences.
Sociology is a study of society social life, social change, and social causes and consequences of human behaviour and allows us to gain an understanding of the structure and dynamics of today’s society, looking at the interlinking links patterns of human behaviour. Sociology looks at the in which social structure and institutions affect our everyday life. Sociological imagination was founded by C. Wright mills in the 1950`s it is an overall understanding of that some of the things that happen in society may lead to a particular outcome. Mills said it is “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and wider society.” sociological imagination can also be defined as the ability to look at how sociological situations can unfold due to how everyone is different. The way we behave is shaped by the situation that we find ourselves in, the values and norms that we have and the way that other members of society act around us. It is also a way of thinking about how things in society have led to a particular outcome, and understanding of what led to that specific outcome. Sociological imagination is an ability to look at things socially and how they interact and influence each other gaining an understanding of different cultures and class systems.
The word “cheating” when introduced in a conversation brings forth the connotation of thief, laziness, incompetence, scared, untrustworthy just to name a few characteristics. However, take that same word, “cheating”, and apply it to education or business and the audience begin to stuttering, become confused, offer qualifiers and exclusions, delineations, classifications or absolute deny any such behavior. It is generally accepted that cheating occurs in high school and college, but is it viewed as an acceptable practice by students or a lack of understanding or miscommunication between students and educational institutions. According to data gathered by the Educational Portal, between 75%-98%