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Synthesis Paper On Deviance

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Sophia Woolbert SOC 001 27 February 2023 Synthesis Paper 3 (Readings 5 & 32) Deviance refers to any behavior or action that violates the social norms or values of a particular group or society. Depending on the culture, context, and historical frame, what is considered deviant varies. Examining the norms of the group or society in question is crucial to determining whether a behavior is deviant or not (Rotondi 23 February 2023). When deciding what constitutes deviation, it's crucial to take the context and viewpoint of the group or culture into account. Crime is one of the violations of a norm that has been formally implemented into law. The role of deviance in Karl Marx’s conflict theory and its application to understanding crime trends strongly …show more content…

Various reasons why African American men are at a greater risk of experiencing incarceration include systemic racism, poverty, lack of access to education and job opportunities, and biased policing and sentencing practices. These elements contribute to a vicious cycle of disadvantage that may increase involvement in the criminal justice system. Obtaining stable employment is an essential component of successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, as it can reduce the likelihood of recidivism and improve their overall well-being. But the stigma attached to having a criminal record, especially as a Black African American, seriously limits their options while reentering society and finding employment as pervasive racism and prejudice makes it extremely difficult. These collective studies conducted by sociologist Devah Pager in this chapter emphasize how the most dominant culture within our society, consisting of white males, continues to thrive through the criminal records of such participants and limit the opportunities of minorities, with or without a criminal record. The most salient principle of Karl Marx’s conflict theory supports this maintenance of power over minorities through marginalization and criminalization (Rotondi 23 February 2023). Employers continue to take into account the high trends of crime within the African American male population and hinder their ability to thrive in society, with or without a record that shows actual

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