There are many theories on why crime exists as well has who is
committing the crimes and the underlying reasons behind it The two
main perspectives being Traditional Marxist and Functionalist both
with different views they share very little in common, however they do
agree that society shapes the individual and not the individual that
shapes society. What is meant by that is that we are all products of
our upbringings and learn through socialisation what our beliefs are,
what we agree on personally and often shared beliefs and the
understanding of what is 'the norm; through our primary interaction
with others beginning at home and continuing onto schooling and work.
Our beliefs aren't always set in stone and can change through time and
growth and the interaction with others once outside the family domain.
There are many explanations beginning with Durkheim who was a
functionalist, there is Merton who doesn't totally agree with Durkheim
but adopted his theory on 'Anomie' and made it his own. In addition
there is Hirschi whose theories mirrored that of Durkheim's and before
concluding, Marxist view on crime will be looked at.
The Functionalist view on crime and society is likening it to the
human body to explain it functions. The body has it organs whereas
society has it institutions. Functionalists have an interest in the
functions of crime, hence the name and are interested in how crime
contributes to society as a whole. There is a belief that society is
based on consensus or agreement of shared beliefs and values of what
is considered to be 'the norm', the views hare then passed on through
socialisation. Share values and beliefs o...
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... be deviant within a corporate structure although should
it occur it is highly unlikely the public would be made aware of it.
However the question of mental state of an individual hasn't even been
raised by any of the sociologists to explain why a person may offend.
Merton seemed to make a lot of sense but there seemed to be something
missing in his explanations on why crime exists why some commit and
others don't, perhaps the reality is there is no definite answer on
why it exists.
BIBLOGRAPHY
Durkheim, E (1985/1987) Suicide: A Study in Sociology, London:
Routledge
Erikson, K J. (1966) Wayward Puritans, New York: Wiley
Hirschi, T. (1969) Causes of delinquency, Berkeley, CA: University of
California Press
Merton, R. (1938) Social Structure and Anomie, American Sociological
Review, Vol 3, 672-683
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