Deviance is defined as any action that is contrary to the acceptable norms prescribed by formal rules or informal social practices. In this case, prostitution may serve as a deviant behavior. Despite the fact that numerous communities are accepting the action as an everyday occurrence, the majority of them have placed various rules prohibiting its practice. According to sociological perspectives, there are a number of reasons why such behavior arises in the community. Anomie, conflict, and labeling theories provide diverse views on how deviance develops in a society and in so doing providing appropriate measures of preventing the continued occurrence.
Anomie Theory
One of the most profound views on deviance is that of anomie. This theory identifies the confusion arising from the conflict between social norms or in a case where none exist at all (Matsueda, 2015). Robert Merton first used this theory to describe the acceptable social objectives and the means to achieve them. In light of this, economic prosperity is a common goal associated with the American society. However, not all members have found the resources or means of achieving this (Matsueda, 2015). Those who lack these means will potentially undertake deviant means of realizing the wealth that is a common goal for the community. The theory identifies that the social forces themselves create conditions for deviance (Matsueda, 2015). The female members may lack the appropriate opportunities to overcome poverty hence engaging in prostitution.
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Conflict Theory
The conflict theory is drawn from the principles of society provided by Karl Marx. The community is depicted to be in a constant state of struggle for limited resources (Matsueda, 2015). There are the proletariat and the bourgeois where the latter take up the larger share of wealth in the society. The theory suggests that deviant behaviors are a result of significant inequality in social, political, or economic capabilities (Matsueda, 2015). The poorer members of the community will usually feel that the upper-class members have taken up too much of the available wealth leaving them with very little to change their lives (Matsueda, 2015). As a result, the only means of achieving success is through deviant behavior such as prostitution. Even with significant deterrence, they will continue in the same conduct until equality is achieved.
Labeling Theory
Another major sociological perspective for describing deviance in society is labeling theory (Matsueda, 2015). The theorists suggest that one primary means of developing deviant behavior is forcing that identity on a particular fraction of the community. The continued association of these members with a particular negative behavior prompts them to undertake the behavior after a while. In this case, prostitution does not just arise from a decision from the perpetrator (Matsueda, 2015). It may be that the individual has grown up in a society where all women achieve their income by selling sex. Even before the defiant person engages in such behavior, she may be a victim of labeling and stereotyping. The individuals will identify them as a prostitute until they join in the action.
Conclusion
It is evident that there are differing views on the development of defiant behavior in the society. However, it is clear that conflict theory is the most logical of them all. The social struggle between the rich and the poor is a critical factor in deviance. The female members of the society may experience significant exploitation from their male counterparts where they are denied the equal opportunities available to them. As a result, they resort to the easiest and most practical means of generating income to care for themselves and their offspring.
References
Matsueda, R. L. (2015). Social structure, culture, and crime: Assessing Kornhauser’s challenge to criminology. In F. T. Cullen, P. Wilcox, R. J. Sampson, & B. D. Dooley, (Eds.) Challenging criminological theory: The legacy of Ruth Rosner Kornhauser--Advances in criminological theory , Vol. 19, New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers. 117-143.
