Explanations of Deviance

496 Words2 Pages
Deviance is the violation of norms (Henslin, 2010, p. 154). Durkheim explains that deviance clarifies moral limitations and affirms norms (p.163). I perceived that he meant by this is basically that without evil, there can be no good. The entire reason why society make rules regarding conduct is that deviant behavior occurs (Mercadante, 2009, para. 1). Of course, the behavior is not deviant until a rule is set in place which the behavior deviates from (para. 1). When a criminal is brought to justice it reminds everyone of the law or moral code of a society. Police officers remind us of the speed limit when we are observed exceeding it excessively. Deviance promotes social unity (Henslin, 2010, p.163). When people act in deviant ways, those who are against the act tend to join together, feeling closer to each other due to their shared stake in morality and disgust in the act (Mercadante, 2009, para. 2). During a rally by the Ku Klux Klan, faculty, students, and community people gathered together at the university to protest the speeches and sign a group statement advocating multicultural unity. Deviance promotes social change (Henslin, 2010, p.164). The acts of deviant people challenge the boundaries of society and can eventually spread unto the masses, changing those boundaries (Mercadante, 2009, para. 3). Homosexuality was once upon a time was punishable by death. Today there are advocate organizations and special events for gays, lesbians and trans-genders. Control therapy is the idea that two control systems- inner and outer controls-work against our tendencies to deviate (Henslin, 2010, p. 159). Our inner controls include internalized morality-conscience, religious principles, ideas of right and wrong by including fears of punishment, feelings of integrity, and the desire to be a good citizen (p.159). Our outer controls consist of people-such as family,
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