Abstract
Deviant behavior is the behavior that fails to cope to the widely-accepted cultural or social norms. For instance, murder is a form of serious deviant behavior because it violates the cultural norm which indicates that killing another human being is unacceptable. As far as the study of deviance is concerned, there are a number of approaches towards it, coupled explanations as to why deviant behaviors occur, and how they might be addressed. The initial stage is to understand and acknowledge deviant behavior as a study of social and cultural norm. As far as cultural diversities are concerned, norms vary widely. In some cases, certain behavior which cool or expected in some cultures, may be appear to be inappropriate or rude in other cultures. This paper analyzes various types of deviant behaviors, their causes as well as how to minimize and get rid of it.
According to Wallace and Smith, deviance may be viewed from sociological, biological and psychological perspectives. From the sociological perspective, issues like class plays roles in deviant behavior. Theft for instance is a common instance of the behavior that is deviant and it can be assumed to be a driven force by pressures which are sociological and a good example being poverty. Biologists are much interested in the brain’s variations that lead to deviance expressions, alongside the biological motivational for the usual and normal behavior. Psychologists on the other hand are much interested in the processes of thoughts that are behind deviant and normal behavior for instance, ranging from depression that may drive personalities to act out to the observance of early childhood development, an issue that explains the learning of people regarding behavioral boundaries (Wallace and Smith, Para 1,5)
A theory regarding deviant behavior posits ranges of possible explanations. Many do reflect interdisciplinary approaches by indirectly conceding the fact that most factors do influence the behavior of an individual. Over the years, theories have changed and as a result, the approach to issues like criminal justice and law enforcement has been changed. Children do develop and show some deviant behavior due to their Differential Association with companies especially when they are at school. Through their interactions with others, they learn the values, techniques, attitudes and the criminal law motives. As far as the interationist theory of deviance is concerned in Differential association, individuals learn how to become goons and hardcore criminals but in the real sense, it does not qualify as the reason of them becoming criminals. That is the reason why it is advisable for parents to be very careful when punishing their children in case they spot any signs of deviancy in them. Instead, they should show them love even though the major problem remains that it is not all the parents who see it in their children. Other causes of deviancy in children can be caused by influences from outside home. Media images, peers, as well as other people in the society set the kind of norm which should be in a certain area. For example, the race hatred which has been practiced over years and still being practiced can set a very solid foundation for deviant behavior between the people who are living I that area. The kind of mentality that a certain race is superior to the other is not something that people in that particular area were born with and they must have learnt it from their predecessors. However, some behaviors which are in a certain community may appear to be abnormal to other societies. The media has turned out to be the fastest vehicle of transporting deviant behavior. The media images that are portrayed showing famous figures and models with unusual tattoos, have some unique attitude for people, have pierced their ears entices people from other areas and at the same time appears to be devilish in some societies.
Conclusion:
Various stakeholders must be cautious of their contribution towards the spreading of deviant behaviors. The media should be the first to act responsibly since the society’s direction and social position depend largely on it. Media contents should be regulated to ensure that whatever that is aired does not in any way affect the recipients. Parents on the other hand should be keen and careful on how they punish their children in case they learn any strange deviant behavior in them. Instead, they should show them love and also try to direct them on the right contents of programs to watch in televisions. Before acting on any deviance behavior, parents should try and find out the genesis of deviance in their children and that will help a lot in curbing it.
Works Cited:
Wallace and Smith, (2011). What is Deviant Behavior? Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-deviant-behavior.htm
