The Social Nature & Relativity of Crime & Deviance

Sociologists argue that crime and deviance are both SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED; meaning that people in society decide what is deviant or crime or neither.
1. Sociologists also argue that humans' perspectives about crime and deviance is not part of their biology.
  1. This is where Nature vs Nurture debate comes in.
    1. Each society has their own decision about what is crime or deviant then socialise with its members to accept their decision.
PLACE
1. Nudity is acceptable in a nudist beach, but it is deviant (and illegal!) when you are walking around a shopping centre naked.
2. Fighting is norm in a boxing ring but is deviant in the street
3. Cross-dressing (e.g. draq queens) is seen as deviant
PERSON
1. It is acceptable for a slim woman to wear skimpy clothes but not for a very large woman,
  1. Killing is a work of a criminal
    1. A parent to hit a children is deviant
CONTEXT
1. Swearing during an interview or when receiving an award is wrong and seen as a deviant behaviour. But not when you are talking to your friends.
TIME
1. Homosexuality is considered normal as time goes by, whereas in the past it is seen as deviant and wrong.
2. NO LONGER IN UK
  1. Abortion
3. NEW TO UK
  1. Smoking in public area
SOCIETY
1. Wearing a mask over your mouth when having a cold/cough in Japan is considered as a norm, but not in the UK.
2. ACCEPTED ONLY IN UK
  1. Alcohol
3. ACCEPTED ELSEWHERE, BUT NOT IN UK
  1. Spitting in public

Resource summary

	Created by nuhaheza over 11 years ago