The concept of social behaviors and inequalities extends far beyond the community. These are the prescribed norms and attitudes which determine what is standard and also what the society considers to be deviant. Deviance in regards to a sociological perspective pertains to the behaviors and attitudes as well as enacted rules in addition to the violation of socially perceived norms (Boundless Sociology, n.d.). Generally, deviance emerges in a scenario where rules have been violated. For instance, a situation where someone is sending text messages while driving which is an example of informal deviance or a situation where murder is committed, in which case it becomes formal deviance. Moreover, this majorly pertains to the society`s reaction towards a certain occurrence.
Based on functionalism, deviance plays a unique role within a society which is well aligned to the behaviors and attitudes of various individuals. Besides, deviance manages to establish what a society deems as being acceptable or unacceptable. As a result, relationships are created between individuals bearing both unacceptable and acceptable behavior. This is specifically what has been dubbed the “us versus them” form of mentality (Boundless Sociology, n.d.). Also necessary to note, is the idea that deviant attitudes are capable of contributing to an imbalanced social equilibrium. Conversely, it is, nevertheless, apparent that such an imbalance can be rectified by initiation of balanced societal practices.
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According to the Conflict theory, the attitudes emanating from social, political or material inequalities, are likely to contribute to deviant forms of behaviors. Normally, when people are said to be acting out, it is a behavior that emerges from their reaction to different groups of individuals. It has also been postulated that the idea of social disorganization is one of the chief contributors of deviance within the society (Boundless Sociology, n.d.). The social status of individuals also reflects greatly on the deviance that is likely to be witnessed. This is based that people who have grown up in poor backgrounds are likely to display more deviant behaviors compared to those who have developed in wealthy families.
Further still, based on the symbolic interactionist perspective, deviance as a subculture established by individuals (Boundless Sociology, n.d.). In this case, individuals become comfortable and adopt a sense of belonging with others who share similar views to those they hold. Those with abnormal forms of behaviors appear to relate well with people exhibiting similar tendencies. An example in this case, pertains to a person who has just recently been released from confinement. People may not want to be associated with such a person, and this leads them to connect better with others who have faced the same predicament. In the end, a subculture ends up being created.
There are many factors that contribute to the social inequality of people in a society. Further suppositions for instance, are based on the theory of blame the poor and blame the society; both of which are contributing factors to the social inequalities existent within a community setting (Boundless Sociology, n.d.). When individuals blame the society, they are implying that it is responsible for all the predicaments that they are facing. People end up struggling to cater for their needs and those of their families whenever they do not have any form of gainful employment. In such a case, blaming the poor indicates that they are responsible for the woes facing them. Besides, failing to get a job ends up being justified as a lack of motivation and also necessary skills required within the job market (Boundless Sociology, n.d.).
Reference
Boundless Sociology. (n.d.). The Conflict Perspective on Deviance. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-conflict-perspective-on-deviance/
