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Deviance: Understanding The Norms Of A Society

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Aiman Boujada 10/10/15 Reflection Paper #2 Deviance is a very complicated concept to understand. Norms of a society vary from place to place, and what is considered deviant in one area may not be the same somewhere else. As a result sociologists have developed theories in order to explain deviance and its impact on society. The most prominent theories known today are functionalism, strain theory, differential association, control theory, and feminist theory. However all of these theories do not explain deviance well on their own. By looking at the strengths and weaknesses of each theory independently, one will be able to see why all the theories listed above are limited. Functionalism was created by Émile Durkheim:
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Deviance is categorized as a violation of cultural norms. In order for one to express deviance, they must act out against societal norms which are known as expectations and rules that "lead the way" for how an individual should act. Therefore, its much easier to depict from there that mostly one's society is what ultimately differentiates what the rules and expectations are as well as what it needed to break those rules that they have somewhat instilled and ingrained into our daily lives. To add, due to society and different eras of socialization deviant behavior evolves over time.

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A functionalist approach on deviance is that it clarifies moral boundaries and promotes social cohesion (Ferris and Stein 158). Basically, functionalism is all about social stability. They view marriage and family as a big part of society and the only way to continue society. Marriage is between a man and a woman in their eyes. Since sexual reproduction is the only way continue life, in the eyes of a functionalist, homosexuality is deviant.

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Because of the broad inclusiveness of its subject matter, sociology must consult other knowledge fields such as philosophy, history, political science, anthropology, economics and law. A wide array of topics are of interest to the sociologist. These topics include deviant behaviour, the

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