Abstract
This writing will through light on Deviance. It will start with defining deviance as a sociological concept. Later on, briefly, David Email Durkheim’s Structural Functional Theory will be discussed. At the end, a contemporary example will be taken and the applicability of theory on the example/issue discussed will be discussed to effectively relevance of the issue with the theory. At the end of this reading, the reader would be able to effectively understand the concept of deviance and its contemporary example and how that can described using David Email Durkheim’s Structural Functional Theory.
Deviance
Any Act that violates a social Norm and is disapproved by a large number of people as a result is called deviance. It is a relative term. No act is inherently deviant. It becomes deviant act only when it is defined as such. It is also worth mentioning that deviance is also a function of time, place and groups. For instance, polygamy in some societies is an acceptable norm. On the contrary, in other societies and cultures it is seen as a highly deviant act. Also, it is also possible that any such act which was earlier considered as deviant in a culture becomes norm by the passing time. That is why it is told that deviance is a relative term. Some common examples of deviance are rape, terrorism, polygamy and smoking.
David Email Durkheim in his Structural Functional Theory opines that deviance has positive aspects as well which helps us in four different ways. Firstly, Durkheim says that deviance helps us in clarification of norms in a particular society. Also, it shows a society’s tolerance limit on a particular issue. It also defines limits of permissible behavior in a culture. Second function of this is that it becomes a cause of strengthening of solidarity among law abiding members of that particular society in which a deviant act is being committed. For instance, if there is a serial killer committing continuous murders in a society, the whole members of that society become committed together to get such murderer to the gallows of justice. Thirdly, Durkheim says that deviance becomes a source of social change in a society. It makes realization of a better rule or law. The best example of this is the Civil Disobedience Movement by Martin Luther King Jr. The breaking of law of mandating segregation called the nation’s attention to their unfair approach and resulted in a positive change. Fourth function performed by Deviance, according to Durkheim is the enhanced conformity amongst the members of the society. When a certain deviant act is punished as per rules or the prevailing law, people tend to abide by the norms of the society. This brings a feeling of doing the right things amongst the members of that particular society thereby ensuring more conformity. Last but not the least is the Safety Valve value of deviance as defined by Durkheim. Durkheim says that sometimes deviance becomes a safety valve for people to cull out their frustration. The best example of this aspect is graffiti. Individuals express their frustration by painting pictures and messages on walls which normally is considered to be a deviant act.
Let us take an example of the contemporary world. IS (Islamic State) is a religious organization banned across the globe for its militant and terrorist act. They have been committing gross violations of national and global laws by committing mass murders, killings, attacks and terrorist acts. Thus by all definitions they are deviant. They have been trying to establish their ascendancy over large areas of land by using money, weapon and fear. Initially, they had captures large parts of Iraq and now Syria is their main focus. Now, they envisage covering large parts of the world by extending their agenda.
Now let us apply Email Durkheim’s structural functional theory to this particular example we have chosen. In this case, we consider the whole world as one single society. Now, it is pretty clear that the whole world has been clarified by the long spell of terrorism that such acts of mass murder, rapes, killings and suicidal attacks are not accepted norms by any society in the world. These acts are shunned by all. Thus, clarification of norms has been done due to their subversive activities. The whole world and the countries are against this menace and various powers are trying to clip their wings by whatever measures they can take. IS is being pushed back by super powers such as USA to hold them and minimize their influence and to quash their efforts to cover and grab large areas of lands and minimizing their hegemony. The acts of IS in particular have brought about social change in the world. All the countries have gathered together to mend their laws to curb this menace once for all. The society of the world is looking forward to bring modifications in their laws to enhance the control of states on individuals so that no such organization can raise its head in the future. Last but not the least, the law abiding citizens have been conforming more to their norms after continuous awareness campaigns run by governments. It is being continuously reminded to the individuals through various mass media campaigns that certain acts are out of bound or gross violations of legal domains. The society of the world has gone highly antagonized by the gruesome acts of terrorist organizations. Their acts are being loathed by all and sundry and there is an increasing feeling among the people to end this menace once for all to bring peace in the world. From micro to macro level, efforts are being done in all the strata of society to bring the global society more towards conformity and hence peace.
