functionalists mainly argued that their are 2 key mechanisms to achieve solidarity:
socialisation: the process where the
individual learns and has the same value
and norms as the society
social control: this is so the society balances
out by putting forward mechanisms for reward
and punishment , this will help to ensure how
individuals act in the way society expects them
to.
funcationalist also see crime as inevitable and universal
The inevitability of Crime
2 Main Reasons why crime & Deviance are found in societies
not everyone has the same norms of values
so some will prone to deviate
in complex societies their are diveristy
of lifestyles and values, this leads to
them forming thier own subcultures
which will have the same values and
norms as them , mainstream cultre is
sometimes seen as deviant
Durkheim believes that in this societies
this causes a tendency towards: Anomie is
when their a lack or norms and values.This
causes diversity means that the shared
culture or collective is weakened and this
results in higher levels or crime and
deviance.
Durkheims says ' Crime is normal.. an intergal
part of a healthy societies
the postive functions of crime
Boundary Maintenance
this allows society to to function properly durkhiem
explains that the function of punishment isnt mainly
for the wrongdoers but the reaffrims societys
shared rules and reinforce social solidarity.
Adaptation and Change
durkheims believe that crime allows society to adapt and change
accordingly to certain beahaviours and attiudes. any new ideas in
society are initially regarded as deviant. for example homosexuality was
first seen as deviant was not accepted until it was legalised in 1967
Examples: kingsley davis 1937 argued that prosistution acts
as a safety valve for the release of mens sexual frustation
without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.
Example 2 :Ned polskey 1967 argued that pronography
safely channels a varitey of sexual desires away from
alteranative such as adultery which would pose a much
greater threat to the family
Albert cohen believed that this will allow
to have a warning if society is not
functioning properly
Kai Erikson 1966 argues that if
crime and deviance performs
postive social functions then
perhaps it means society is actually
organised so as to promote
deviance.