Sociological Perspective on Deviance

2028 Words9 Pages
CRIME AND DEVIANCE Deviancy is any behaviour that defies the norms of a particular social group. It is anti-social behaviour/or non-normative behaviour or behaviour that does not conform to societal expectations. Definition: American sociologists Marshall Clinard cited in Haralambos and Holborn (1995:387) defines deviancy as, “Any behaviour that is in a disapproved direction and of a sufficient degree to exceed the tolerance limit of that community. This definition has been criticised for ignoring those forms of deviancy which are tolerable. - Deviancy should be viewed as arelative act i.e.(It depends on) – Relative to time, place etc for eg what may be deviant behaviour in Zimbabwe may not necessary be so in America eg a homosexual act between 2 consenting adults in privacy is as normal in America as is a heterosexual act between 2 consenting adults in Zimbabwe. E.g- Deviants of yesterday- those who challenged the settler regime in the 60 and 70s in Zimbabwe are the heroes of today – enjoying the fruit of their deviancy (independence). It must be noted that deviancy is not always wrong as it sometimes brings about positive social change for the better. - Deviancy is inevitable for the society because not all social groups uphold the same values or have a value consensus. All known societies throughout history have been known to have deviants. Deviancy is also universal since it is found all over - All the known sociological theories concur/agree that deviancy is socially constructed. This idea is enshrined in Howard Becker’s (1967) quotation. “Social groups create deviancy by making rules whose infraction (infringements) constitutes deviancy and by applying the label to particular people...” - Durkheim the leading functionalist blames it all on inadequate socialization by different social institution. - Feminists are of the opinion that deviancy is

More about Sociological Perspective on Deviance

Open Document