Abstract This paper takes a look at the determination of how social control affects deviance is complicated by the variety of sociological theories on the question of deviance, and their diverse analyses of the interrelationship between society, social controls and deviance. Given this limitation, this essay critically examines how social controls affect deviance with respect to two interrelated areas: social controls on deviance in the family unit, and social controls on deviant sexual behavior. Within a structural-functional theoretical analysis, it argues that social order affects deviance in complex ways, and ultimately supports social order and can lead to social change.
Abstract The proposed study describes the actual number of priests who have committed sexual crimes, reconsiders the Catholic Church's mandatory celibacy policy for priests, proves that clergy members who vow celibacy are no more likely than those who do not vow celibacy to commit acts of sexual deviation and evaluates if the Church's clerical celibacy requirement, causes sexual deviance. The meta-research analyzes the results of various surveys, sexual program evaluations, case studies, research papers and historical sources to present a thorough argument for and against the connection between sexual deviances and celibacy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background
Findings
Goals
Specific Aims
Methodology
Research Chronology
Significance
Conclusion
Facilities Available
From the Paper "Celibacy has been a part of the Catholic Church since the fourth century. The Church remains loyal to this policy today, holding that celibacy allows priests to be more independent and available. Celibacy is also based on the idea that priests should live out the same witness as their brothers in monastic life. However, recent scandals involving priests and sexual misconduct have put pressure on the Church to reconsider its policy of mandatory celibacy. Every time a new sexual deviance case is brought against a clergyman, the issue of celibacy rears its head. Many people believe that if priests were allowed to marry, there would be less of a problem with deviant behavior."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion on the origins of deviance. The paper defines deviant behaviors as it relates to moral and/or legal norms, examines theories on deviance and takes a look at some of the causes of deviant behavior. The paper also includes a discussion on different perspectives of deviant behaviors.
From the Paper "The standard definition of the term deviance is that it is a condition that is markedly different from the norm. However, as noted by Hendershott, this definition is problematic in terms of understanding deviant behaviors. For example, is a man who deviates from the societal norm by wearing pink slacks in any way the same as a man who deviates from the societal norm by molesting children? Given the foregoing, it seems clear that the dictionary definition of deviance is not appropriate or especially..."
Abstract This paper looks at sexual deviance. Firstly, the writer provides a definition of the term. The writer then looks at who takes part in sexual deviance. In this essay, the writer examines what sociological theories portray in this regard. The scope and diversity of the problem is also discussed. The writer explores statistics on prevalence and checks to see if this is a problem that can be solved.
From the Paper "Deviance is behavior that some people in a society find offensive and incites disapproval, punishment, condemnation or hostility. Long Deviance is more than just behavior, it involves a moral judgment as well. It is impossible to isolate certain behaviors and call them deviant because deviance is a relative term defined by the society the time and the place. There is nothing that is absolutely condemned by all societies. Biological theories of deviance are of no use because no consistent evidence that supports the belief that social ... "
Abstract This paper shall examine the argument that most theories of deviance are less efficient than they might otherwise be because they fail to take into account the extent of organization among those who commit various deviant acts. The following essay ultimately agrees with this contention, but it does raise a number of caveats which should be borne in mind when criticizing sociological theorists for what they have and have not done over time.
From the Paper "In recent years, the efficiency of deviance theories has come under increasing fire from researchers. In particular, some scholars have argued that theories of deviance are less efficient (and precise) than they should be for the very straight-forward but important reason that they fail to take into account the extent of organization among those who commit various deviant transgressions. Simply put, this paper will explore such an argument by asking what precisely is meant by "taking into account" the "extent of organization" among those guilty of deviant acts. Beyond that, the paper will also argue that "efficiency" in any sociological theory may be next to impossible to achieve if mathematical precision is what is sought. Finally however, the paper does acknowledge that social deviance theories are not as informed as they could be because they do fail to take into account the extent of..."
Abstract Deviance is a behavior that does not conform to social norms, therefore is socially created. Since most people in the United States believe that homosexuality is wrong, society has created homosexuality to be a deviance. This paper argues that since deviance is relative and not absolute to a society, homosexuality is not a universal form of sexual deviance. There are many cultures that accept forms of homosexuality. The Western society is not accepting of it though, and many times this non-accepting view cause discrimination towards homosexuals. Is homosexuality a way for some people to deviate, or is it just the way some people need to live their lives? The paper argues that if it is the way of life for some people, then society has to become accepting towards this lifestyle.
From the Paper "Instead of keeping their sexuality a secret, they are openly gay at all times. They challenge societal norms in hopes that there will be a change in attitudes. Gay liberationist rose about in the early 1970s, after an event that took place earlier. On June 28, 1969, the police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay hangout. Instead of dispersing as usual, the customers rioted. This incident drew a lot of needed attention to problems of police harassment that homosexuals faced."
Abstract This paper examines the way that race and ethnicity contribute to the development of deviance The author argues that race and ethnicity indirectly intertwine in unequal access to social rewards and other various forms of wealth, power, and prestige thereby causing deviance and violence. This paper defines race and ethnicity in the realm of deviance and analyzes why and how individuals and groups discriminate.
From the paper:
"Why is there inequality among men? Where do its causes lie? Can it be reduced or abolished altogether? Do we have to accept it as a necessary element in the structure of human society? Humans are unequal in many ways. They differ in physical features and in mental capacities, talents, strengths, and so on. All of these inequalities are a product of both social learning and genetic inheritance. More importantly, race and ethnicity become entwined in the unequal access to social rewards and other various forms of wealth, power, and prestige."
Considers some of the theories of deviance and criminality, emphasizing the complex work of understanding the relations of any people within a larger society.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract Deviance is socially determined and culturally specific. Because criminal law is determined by the ruling class, deviance is subject to perspectives that represent the desired norms of a dominant class. As such, people who differ from these norms are subject to standards that can identify their differences as criminal. Difference is not deviance; however, this distinction remains difficult to include into the current structure of justice and criminal law.
Abstract This paper examines the differences between positive deviance and negative deviance. Positive deviance transgresses social norms with positive consequences and is not uncommon, although frequently neglected.
Abstract The paper relates that although the theory of deviance helps to shed light on some of the reasons people engage in criminal actions, the theory is a social construct and is thus inherently flawed. The paper maintains, that this theory should, therefore, occupy only a minor role in the field of criminology. The paper also asserts that this theory only be employed as a means of interpretation of the criminal mind when there is no possibility that the root cause of deviance may lie within the society and not the individual.
Outline:
Introduction
Strengths
Weaknesses
Deviance and Criminology
From the Paper "The theory of deviance is not organic. Broadly defined, deviance is behavior that violates the norms of a particular society. Thus, the theory is a creation of society, and a social construct that labels persons within a society as outcasts because they tend to display certain behaviors that society deems reprehensible. Deviance, then, is best understood as an artificial creation, which fits neatly into the realms of academic disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychology and social psychology to explain the unexpected actions of individuals. Most of all, the theory helps us to understand the most reprehensible among us: the criminal. "
Abstract This paper looks at deviance, which is any expressed thought or action that goes against the idea of the culture's social order and social control or the ways in which individuals are redirected toward behaviors that are more acceptable in the society. The author first defines and explains these two terms and gives several examples of deviance and social control. The paper discusses as well, deviance in terms of crime and explains how social control can be exerted through criminal prosecution and incarceration.
From the Paper "Deviance can serve the function of defining the norm, as deviant behavior even in the most banal form can be used as an example for others of what not to do or how not to act. One example of deviance that is culturally specific is such things as facial tattoos. In most cultures (though there are exceptions) facial tattoos are considered a form of self imposed deformity and people will likely develop preconceived notions regarding an individual who has such. To expand this example one might consider how an individual parent might warn their children never to tattoo their own face, or might visibly pull their children away from such "deviants" in public."
Abstract This paper examines the validity and accuracy of the functionalist and conflict perspectives which both adopt an over simplistic approach to a highly complex issue, deviance. The author discusses the way in which the development of Subcultural theory, Feminist theory, and Action theory among others is evidence of the impossibility of adequately addressing the topic of deviance within a single sociological perspective.
From the Paper ?The functionalist perspective's approach to deviance is based, to a large extent, on Emile Durkheim's theory of anomie and the subsequent reworking of this concept by Robert Merton, who believed that in societies such as America, where the commonly shared cultural goal is economic success, there will be individuals who are unable to legitimately achieve those goals. This situation, Merton argues, results in a breakdown of the social norms among these "under-achievers", who will then use other, illegitimate methods of gaining success.?
Tags: instantly, apparent, single, universally, applicable, definition, exists, general, agreement, social, norms
Abstract This paper discusses how subcultural theories provide an alternative view to the sociology of crime, by using the subculture of a particular social group to explain the acts of crime and deviance that are committed by the groups? members. It assesses the subcultural theories of crime and deviance, paying particular detail to sociological theory, including studies from the Chicago School of Sociology, Cohen, Merton, Cloward and Ohlin and Matza.
From the Paper "Most of these studies are conducted by American sociologists and are consequently based on an American experience of society, which often appears inconsistent to British ways of life. Downes and Rock, however, argue that Matza's theory is particularly applicable to the British context as British studies of delinquent subcultures, particularly with young people show that young delinquents were not in fact members of structured gangs, but they had become dissociated from mainstream society because they were uninterested in their long term future. Sociologists have however criticised Matza's theory. Taylor Walton and Young argue that those who use the techniques of neutralisation do not challenge the dominant values in society."
Abstract This paper focuses on why abortion is considered a deviant behavior and what role labeling theory has in this connection. The paper begins by trying to understand exactly what deviance is and how sociologists define the term. The paper shows how deviance is usually a form of anti-social, problematic behavior, and, therefore, abortion could be seen as such a thing.
From the Paper "When the word Deviance is mentioned somewhere, we automatically assume that some abnormal or eccentric behavioral pattern is under discussion. This is because majority of researchers and sociologists link deviance with socially unacceptable activities and thought pattern. For this reason, most of us use deviance as an essential tool to separate the right and acceptable behavior from its evil counterparts. But the truth is that deviance doesn?t exist in its negative form only, there are certain positive shades to it, which can only be understood if we delve deeper into this subject. Thus the most important thing is to first focus on the way sociologists have defined deviance because this will help us understand why deviance is not always problematic even if most of the activities that fall under its umbrella bear visible signs of non-conformity."
