Deviance and Its Consequences - Essay Example

Running head: THE ANALYSIS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR The Analysis of Deviant Behavior THE ANALYSIS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR The Analysis of Deviant BehaviorIn the social sphere, it is important to be able to recognize the difference between human doings (what he did), and the public definition of this action by members of the social world. The behavior that violates social norms can be visible and invisible. However, if social society notices this behavior and responds to it, it is classified as deviant.

Basically, deviant behavior characterizes human action that does not conform to official norms and standards in society. However, deviant behavior can be seen even in the absence of violations of regulatory rules. (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 1968)An influential scholar, Howard S. Becker, who has been researching deviance, noted that deviance is not a quality of the act one commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an “offender”.

Unfortunately, there are many examples of deviant behavior in our social environment. Such examples primarily include acts of violence, as well as their consequences: the shooting at Virginia Tech University that led to the death of 33 people; the shooting at a NASA facility that led to the end of life of two people. (Cambridge Dictionary of sociology, 2006) To understand deviant behavior, we must first examine the cultural and social norms, which may differ from each other in different cultures.

For example, conduct which is considered rude in one culture may be seen as a polite and appropriate in another culture. In addition, at the cultural rejection of people they often associate it with a mental disorder. This means that every person who has such variations as alcoholism and drug addiction can bind it with a personal disorganization.As I said before, deviant behavior can be with a lack of violence and death. For example, well-known and discussed program in the MTV 16 & Pregnant that, in my opinion, reveals the deviant behavior of young mothers.

(Cochran Kiesewetter, K., May 12, 2011) The main task of a TV show is to tell about the situation of sixteen-year-old adolescent girls, who THE ANALYSIS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIORgo to school and live with their parents, but are already pregnant. Of course, pregnancy is a wonderful moment in the life of every girl, but it is not normal to be pregnant at the age of 16. This age is mainly tells us that the teenager must successfully finish school and go to the desired college and only after that have their own families and children.

However, early pregnancy may include negative things as mental illness or family problems. In addition to this, the adults’ difficulties such as earning money and family support can have a negative impact on the young girl. In such a complex and unexpected for her situation, she might think that alcohol or drugs can help her. And this wrong and hasty decision can lead to a variety of negative consequences.In conclusion, it may admit that deviant behavior can serve as a basis for the beginning of the accepted cultural norms.

Indeed, it would be difficult to adapt the social society and their culture to changes of social standards. However, nobody is sure what kinds of deviant behavior can play a useful role in society. Alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual deviance and criminal behavior cannot have a positive influence on the development of new cultural models. Only some deviations could be considered useful. Thus, today the main purpose of sociologists is to identify and select the useful cultural patterns in deviant behavior.

THE ANALYSIS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIORReferencesCambridge Dictionary of sociology, 2006. Deviance. Retrieved from Cochran Kiesewetter, K., May 12, 2011. "Reality" TV, Stereotypes, and Teen Parenthood. Retrieved from < http://www.everydaysociologyblog.com/2011/05/reality-tv-stereotypes-and-teen-parenthood.html> International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 1968. Deviant Behavior. Retrieved from < http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3045000300.html>