Introduction
Sociologists following the functionalist approach have viewed deviance as an integral element of a functioning society. There are various theories that represent these functionalist perspectives including the social disorganization theory, the strain theory, and the social control theory. Social deviance plays a positive role in society as it opens channels of discussion, inclusivity, freedom, and truth.
Social Disorganization Theory
Emile Durkheim views social deviance as essential in creating a successful society as it increases conformity and clarifies norms, strengthens social bonds among those responding to the deviant, and contributes to positive social change. The social disorganization theory indicates that criminal activity occurs most likely in communities whose social ties are weak and social control lacks (Heidari, 2021). Proponents of this theory utilized an ecological approach in which an ecologist assesses an organism and the environment they live in. Attention is paid to the social, and cultural contexts in which people and their environment relate. This theory indicates that people who live in impoverished environments are more likely to take part in deviant behavior compared to ones from a wealthy society (Herington & Fliert, 2018). When the society appreciates such a situation, it makes steps towards alleviating impoverishment to attain improved living conditions to reduce deviant and criminal behavior.
Strain Theory
Durkheim indicates that deviance is an integral part of a functioning society. Access to the means of attaining socially acceptable goals is an important determinant of whether an individual accepts or rebels against them (Nickerson, 2021). For instance, people are in the US are encouraged to follow the American Dream of achieving financial success. If a person attends college, is awarded an MBA and becomes a CEO earning millions, one is considered successful. Another individual with similar wealth obtained from other activities outside corporate world such as gambling and legal cannabis business may not be seen in the same light as the CEO of a company said to be successful. The latter two behaviors considered deviant, have over time become to be legalized in the society with a significant proportion of the population engaging in them. Robert Merton expanded Durkheim’s work to include the discrepancy between socially acceptable goals and how individuals and the means used to achieve them. Holding cultural norms on expectations can, therefore, make individuals turn to illegitimate activities to obtain wealth, or any other desired end. It is this discrepancy in attaining these goals that is referred to as strain. Forms of strain include familial, economic, educational, and discrimination based on factors such as race and gender.
People who are marginalized by forms of discrimination can result in what is considered deviant behavior to ease their strain. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement protested against police violence on African Americans. Strained African Americans have historically protested against social injustice. This has resulted in getting the society and lawmakers to enact legislation that has led to the improvement of their general wellbeing. They have been able to attain economic empowerment through affirmative action and laws that prohibit systemic discrimination (Crossman, 2021). The strain theory has, however, been criticized for the fact that characterizing acquisition crimes as deviant may produce policies that may seek to control individuals’ behavior rather than make society equitable.
Social Control Theory
Developed by Travis Hirschi, the social control theory attempts to answer why people adhere to social norms. This approach tries to expound on why people are not more deviant. The bonds to conventional social leanings make people feel connected to society and less likely to behave in a criminal or deviant manner. These bonds include commitment, attachment, belief, and involvement. Societies exercise social control in the form of regulations and enforcement of widely accepted practices and norms. The main goal of social control is to maintain social order in day-to-day life. Whether a certain activity is deviant depends on how a particular society responds to that act.
The Role of Social Deviance
Deviance is the source of a society’s understanding the disruption and realignment that takes place over time. It produces norms that are acceptable to the society by creating patterns that are considered conventional or otherwise. Deviance enables a society to unite around their worldview in opposition to what is considered deviant. Consequently, parameters are created between different societies with different norms. Those marked as deviant can actually create bonds of solidarity as they take pride and ownership of their discriminated or marginalized identity. Stigmatized traits (considered deviant) such can disrupt the society. With time, such stigmatized traits can become socially accepted and be incorporated into the mainstream norms. For example, half a decade ago, homosexuality was considered a deviant behavior in the Western society. Heterosexuals were considered normative and homosexuals were marked as deviant. Homosexuality has since come to be more accepted as mainstream behavior. What appeared as a fracturing issue in the society has evolved into a reinforcing social stability factor.
While deviance is generally perceived as a disruption in society, it can lead to social change, help people adjust to change, promote social solidarity, and provide a way in which people can present their views to the rest of the society. Some previously considered deviant behaviors have been accepted and considered legitimate in the society. This paper has highlighted some forms of deviance including Black Lives Matter protests, homosexuality, and gambling in different theoretical illustrations to show the role they play within the society.
References
Crossman, Ashley. (2021). Deviance and strain theory in sociology. ThoughtCom. Web.
Heidari, G. (2021). Durkheim’s. Methodology of Social Sciences and Humanities, 27(106), 1-11. Web.
Herington, M. & Fliert, E. (2018). Positive deviance in theory and practice: a conceptual review. Deviant Behavior, 39(5), 664-678. Web.
Nickerson, C. (2021). Merton’s strain theory of deviance. Simply Psychology. Web.