Social Deviance and Social Norms

915 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Annotated bibliography on sex trafficking

Social deviance is a violation of social norms. So what qualifies as a social deviant? According to sociologist, Howard S. Becker the best definition of social deviance is, “It is not the act itself, but the reactions to the act, that do something deviant.” In cultures around the world, there are many practices Americans find deviant, but in other cultures, it’s the norm. In many countries around the world, girls are married as young as 11 years old. To Americans, that is considered child abuse and rape, but that is only because of our social norms. To the men and parents in different countries, it is perfectly normal because their social norms. In America, social deviance comes in many different forms. We have our sexual deviants, criminal deviants, body modification deviants and many others. The definition of social deviance is constantly changing due to the acceptance of deviant behavior. Tattoos became socially acceptable in the 1980’s. Before that, tattoos were associated with deviants such as gangs, criminals, and bikers. To be tattooed meant that you were a violent social outcast. Today, getting a tattoo is one of the most socially normal things to do. Tattoos and piercings are everywhere, people of all backgrounds and ages have them. Tattoo artist makes a very good living owning a tattoo and piercing shop. According to Statistic Brain, it is estimated that America has 21,000 tattoo studios with more opening daily, and about 45, million Americans have at least one tattoo. On a similar form a deviant appearance modification, there are those that dedicated their entire life to changing their appearance. Dennis Avner, also known as “Stalking Cat”. He has made several modifications to his body, from full-face tattoos, fanged... ... middle of paper ... ...earch, 50(3/4), 276. doi:10.1080/00224499.2012.738259 Dorsten, L. M. (1999). The Effect of Inbreeding on Early Childhood Mortality: Twelve Generations of an Amish Settlement. Demography, 36(2), 263. Jayne, M. K. (2005, June 8). Genetic Disorders Hit Amish Hard. Retrieved from CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetic-disorders-hit-amish-hard/2/ Lenhart, K. (2013). Multiculturalism and Feminism for Hispanic Immigrant Women Accused of Drug Crimes. Brigham Young University Law Review, 2013(6), 1613. Poulsen, F. M. (2013). Pornography Use: Who Uses It and How It Is Associated with Couple Outcomes. Journal Of Sex Research,50(1), 72. doi:10.1080/00224499.2011.648027 Statistic Brain (2013, December 11). Tattoo Statistics. Retrieved from Statistic Brain: http://www.statisticbrain.com/tattoo-statistics/ Smith, W. J. (2006). The Catman Cometh. Weekly Standard, 11(39), 20.

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Deviance

    747 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is deviance? What does it mean? What determines a behavior as deviant? Deviance is anything that violates a social norm. For example, when a child burps at the supper table but doesn’t excuse himself. Who we socialize and spend time with will determine what we deem as deviant behavior. There are many types of deviant behaviors, some of these behaviors may not be considered deviant to one culture but to another they are.

    Read More

  • Race Based Medicine a Form of Racism

    2279 Words  | 5 Pages

    Collier Roger, Race and genetics in the doctor’s office, CMAJ. April 17, 2012 vol. 184 no. 7, p 752-753.

    Read More

  • What Is The Mystification Of Social Deviance?

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    After reading all four articles, it has come to my attention that deviant behavior is everywhere in our society, and all around the world. Different cultures have different norms and morals making things we believe are normal, deviant. Deviance can be seen in everything, sexual intercourse, rock n roll, and even so much as technology.

    Read More

  • Social Norms in Society

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many things that influence our behavior from internal influences to social norms. Social norms are implicit or explicit rules that govern how we behave in society (Maluso, class notes). Social norms influence our behavior more than any of us realize but we all notice when a norm has been broken. Breaking a social norm is not an easy task and often leads us feeling uncomfortable whether we broke the norm ourselves or witnessed someone else breaking it. Sometimes however, you just have to break a norm to see what happens.

    Read More

  • Jonestown Sociology

    1466 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social deviance is when people who are faced with social norms either choose to conform or to rebel

    Read More

  • Amish Research Paper

    425 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Amish people have found encountered a struggle in this their culture that has led to people dropping out of the community to search for answers. The Amish come across rare genetic disorders that are nameless (foreign to doctors) and one known as mental retardation. These and others alike have been prevalent due to the evolutionary theory. The evolutionary theory helps us understand that genetic disease can become the norm in secluded populations through the founder effect and can help prevent future causes of genetic disease.

    Read More

  • Pornography's Effects on Relationships

    2259 Words  | 5 Pages

    When it comes to relationships there are many things that need to be present in order for it to work out. You must have support from both sides and honesty is also a big factor. When pornography enters a relationship it can be destroyed and could possible ruin that relationship forever. This essay will be able to inform you of all the ways that pornography can and does ruin relationships. Support for this argument will be drawn from the following sources: Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Love, Sex, and Health, and The Question of Pornography.

    Read More

  • Physician Assisted Euthanasia

    1328 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whittaker, Lori A. "The implications of the Human Genome Project for family practice." Journal of Family Practice. Sep. 1992.

    Read More

  • Sloppy Eating As A Social Deviance

    2505 Words  | 6 Pages

    Societies are founded on various social norms. Norms can best be defined as a set of acceptable attitudes and practices by a given society. These norms however are found to vary from one society or cultural setting o the other. Deviance on the other hand is simply when one does something that goes against the set societal norms. Deviance is gauged on a scale of attitudes and behavior contradicting to acceptable social standards (Samuels, 2012).

    Read More

  • The Sociology of Deviance Disputing it is Dead

    1614 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sociologists suggest deviance is a violation of any societal norm. Yet some have suggested deviance is a socially outmoded concept based on a Durkheim’s model of social solidarity. Therefore suggesting now it is obsolete, there is no longer a use for it in a (post) modern progressive and diverse society like Australia. According to Roach Anleu (2004) Colin Sumner was one such claimant. Sumner suggested that the sociological concept of deviance and any coherent theoretical development stagnated in mid 1970s, as no agreement on how deviance should be set never happened, therefore there was never an answer to the question, “deviant from what”? Secondly, Sumner states there is no explanation for why deviance is the chosen subject of research, instead of the norms that specify deviance. He believed it only made sense to examine deviance within the framework of social disapproval. Sumner also believed the relationships between deviance, crime, and difference to be unclear. Lastly he thought that the search for a general concept to encompass such a assorted range of activities, problems and situations was misguided because there can be no behavioural unity for such a diverse range of practices. Sumner (1994) suggested that the focus should analysis how deviant categories are constructed and managed by the power relationships that are continually changing. (Sumner 1994), (Roach Anleu 2014) Roach Anleu (2014) describe norms as reflecting some level of consensus and can be laws, rules, regulations, standards, or unspoken expectations. However, within large communities, there can be individuals, and groups whose behaviour is perceived as deviant according to the accepted norms. Those individuals and or groups may not necessarily be consider...

    Read More

  • Social Deviance in Australia

    4967 Words  | 10 Pages

    Whatever the term deviance creates , in general it is popularly assumed that 'deviants' are individuals who are somehow less capable, less socially responsible, less adjusted, and consequently less useful to society than their more fortunate, upright and 'normal' fellows ( Social Deviance in Australia, p 4). In the case of Aboriginal drinking, alcohol is the main source of criminalisation and incarceration. This public labelling gives the individual an entirely new status- one which tends to dominate the person's self conception. Once this assumes a 'master status' it becomes the major reference for personal identity and relegates all to other 'normal' characteristics to a subsidiary status. This process insures that characteristics such as sexual preference, comes to intrude upon and influence almost their entire existence. Once identified publicly, (homosexuals), the person is treated differently and expected to behave differently (Study guide p18). The creation of deviance according to Merton is seen as the responsibility of society ( or the law abiding and respectable members of society) and of the official agents of social control ( police, magistrates, social workers, teachers, judges, doctors and psychiatrists) ( Social Deviance in Australia p 5). Merton draws attention to the causal significance of social, economic and cultural factors of all kinds in pushing or pulling certain types of individuals into courses of action which involved rule breaking. Interactionists', however, like Becker are primarily concerned with the role social control plays in the social production of deviance, which may take two main forms- rule making and rule enforcing. As Becker (1963:9) writes: 'social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitute deviance... and by applying these rules to particular people and labelling them outsiders. While Quinney states that crime is created. He refers to the social definition of deviance, to the fact that the system of government we have created for ourselves was and is constructed by those who have titled authority and power. Control is exerted through a variety of institutions run by and for the elite (Mass media, education, religion). It is those who are in power who define what is seen as deviant behaviour.

    Read More

  • Social Deviance Application: Charles Manson

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social deviancy is the violation of social norms. A deviant is someone who rejects folkways and mores. Any action that violates the values or rules of a social group is deviant behavior. In order to actually be characterized as a deviant, the individual must be detected committing a deviant act and be stigmatized by society. A stigma is a mark of social disgrace, setting the deviant apart from the group. Criminality is healthy for society. Deviance affirms our cultural values and norms. Responding to deviance clarifies moral boundaries and brings people together. There will always be people who break society’s rules and that’s important.

    Read More

  • Twins and Genetics

    1314 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lykken, D.T (1992). Emergenesis: genetics traits that may not run in famioies. American Psychologist, 47, 1496- 1502.

    Read More

  • Deviance and Social Control

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    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?

    Read More

  • Tattoos in the Workplace and Personal Experience Having Tattoos

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... Kosut, 2006) with increases not only in the number of individuals getting tattoos, but also in television shows featuring tattoo artists (e.g., LA Ink, Tattoo Highway) and tattooed individuals (e.g., Inked) as well as in the availability of temporary tattoos for both adults and children" (Mun' et al., 134). Therefore, I believe society is going to have start accepting the fact that individuals enjoy getting tattoos and piercings. Even though deviant behavior was once linked to tattoos, today tattoos are a choice and part of a person's personality. Many people who have tattoos and piercings are not causing harm to anyone, especially in the business world. People who live in an independent society where there is freedom of speech and expression shouldn't have to hide their tattoos and piercings in the workplace. They are part of who we are and who we always will be.

    Read More

More about Social Deviance and Social Norms

Open Document