Deviant Behavior and Social Control
Deviant Behavior and Social Control
Deviance is only considered to be deviance when the actions go against what are
considered the norms of the group. Is a group of cannibals in the South American jungle
eating fellow human beings considered deviant behavior? Is kissing your loved one in a
public place to show affection considered deviant behavior? What about a person laying
down a small rug and praying wherever they are at certain times throughout the day.
There is no definite answer to the questions previously posed. Deviant behavior is a part
of every society, but is it a necessary part of society and what causes it? There are many
theories on what may cause deviance, but no single one is correct. This deviant and
criminal behavior is what led to the emergence of certain laws, and it is these laws that
govern the punishment for the crime. Felony crimes in the United States can range from
murder to burglary, both come with penalties of imprisonment. There are four main
goals of imprisonment, one of which is rehabilitation. The statistics show that this goal
of rehabilitation is not being achieved because inmates being released have a high rate
of committing a crime within three years. Is imprisonment the proper punishment for
certain crimes? I pose the following questions for discussion:
What makes for deviant behavior and what are the theories behind deviance?
What type of crimes exist in the United States?
What parts of the court and prison system are effective, and which
parts are ineffective?
1. What makes for deviant behavior, and what are the theories behind deviance?
Truthfully, deviance is only in the eyes of the beholder. In India it is considered
a highly sexual act to kiss your loved one and is only done in the confines of privacy. If
someone were to get on the ground and start praying during certain times in public in the
United States,
Deviance is only considered to be deviance when the actions go against what are
considered the norms of the group. Is a group of cannibals in the South American jungle
eating fellow human beings considered deviant behavior? Is kissing your loved one in a
public place to show affection considered deviant behavior? What about a person laying
down a small rug and praying wherever they are at certain times throughout the day.
There is no definite answer to the questions previously posed. Deviant behavior is a part
of every society, but is it a necessary part of society and what causes it? There are many
theories on what may cause deviance, but no single one is correct. This deviant and
criminal behavior is what led to the emergence of certain laws, and it is these laws that
govern the punishment for the crime. Felony crimes in the United States can range from
murder to burglary, both come with penalties of imprisonment. There are four main
goals of imprisonment, one of which is rehabilitation. The statistics show that this goal
of rehabilitation is not being achieved because inmates being released have a high rate
of committing a crime within three years. Is imprisonment the proper punishment for
certain crimes? I pose the following questions for discussion:
What makes for deviant behavior and what are the theories behind deviance?
What type of crimes exist in the United States?
What parts of the court and prison system are effective, and which
parts are ineffective?
1. What makes for deviant behavior, and what are the theories behind deviance?
Truthfully, deviance is only in the eyes of the beholder. In India it is considered
a highly sexual act to kiss your loved one and is only done in the confines of privacy. If
someone were to get on the ground and start praying during certain times in public in the
United States,
Cited: Tischler, Henry L. 1999. Introduction To Sociology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Gottfredson, M.R., and Hirschi, T. 1990. A General Theory Of Crime: Stanford, CA. Stanford University Press Huizinga, D.1978. "Description of the National Youth Sample." The National Youth Survey Project, Report No. 2. Boulder, CO: Behavioral Research Institute Strauss, M.A., 1970. "Measuring Intrafamily Conflict and Violence: The Conflict Tactics Scales."