Deviance

 

In one part of the world killing a dog is one of the greatest honors and sacrifices one can do but, in another part of the world it is considered animal abuse. How can this act be considered honorable to one's eyes but completely horrid in another?  It can be explained with the term deviance. Deviance is "behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms that departs significantly from social expectations." (Anders & Taylor, 2011). This topic really stood out to me because of its diversity. There are so many different types of people, religions, views and cultures and when put together create this cohesiveness we call society. There are all different ways of interpreting deviance in society. Societal norms are changing every day and how will society adapt to these changes? Rebellion? Segregate? Conform? This topic really allows you take a step back and look at what you consider to be socially normal and ask yourself, "Why do I think this is normal? How did I come to think this was normal?" Every one's answers will vary which is why I find this topic to be so compelling.

I thought I brought a good discussion about deviance when looking at it from a moral stand point. I thought I also made a good point in stating that we are all deviant in some manner whether we know it or not. I said that deviance is behaving in a way that is breaking the social rules and norms. I think we all are deviant in other peoples eyes. As we grow and learn we develop our own set of morals from external influences such as out parents. And what we think is normal may not be normal to someone whose beliefs are different. For an example I find it to be normal behavior to be able to drink when your 21 while in other religions its looked down upon and not a normal behavior. But that is just one characteristic of what is considered deviant. I consider myself a deviant to an extent. I know there are a set of unspoken rules that need to be followed. But looking back to when i was in high school I would have considered myself to be more involved in deviant behavior. I drove without a license, stayed out past curfew, drank and skipped class essentially breaking the social norms and rules that were placed to set this standard so deviant behavior can be identified.

This link will take you to "Social Deviance" (Shoham, 1977).  This article goes a little more in depth on social deviance and how deviance comes about.

Social Deviance

This link will take you to another article, "Overweight as Social Deviance and Disability" (Maddox, Back & Liederman, 1968). This gives a great example of how overweight people are labeled and how deviance plays a role in there societal appearance.

Overweight as Social Deviance and Disability

Social Deviance (2008)

"Social Deviance" (2008) is a good representation of deviance because it shows the who, what, where, when, and why deviance occurs in society. You'll be surprised by the types of deviance's that occur.  

 

This link will take you to the website" Deviance and Social Control." This will further explain concepts, effects of deviance through society, and who are society's deviants.

Deviance and Social Control

This next link will take you to "Sociological Theories to explain Deviance." It explains sociological theories of deviance by breaking down each theory and explaining deviance through each theory specifically.

Sociological Theories to Explain Deviance

A recent new article "Homosexuality is 'capitalist' Stuff" (Debnath, 2012). Gives a real world example of the occurrence of deviance in society.

Homosexuality is 'capitalists' Stuff