The Idea of Deviant Over Time

Discussion: The Idea of Deviant Over Time

Is deviance just a label imposed by others, or is it an objective reality based on societal norms? How should it be studied? Contemporary society is filled with examples of behavior once considered deviant or criminal that have become both socially acceptable and sometimes decriminalized.

In this Discussion, you reflect on the changes to the idea of what is considered deviant.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post:

ANSWER BACK TO THE STUDENT USING THIS INFORMATION BELOW

Identify something that has or had been considered deviant or criminal in the past 50 years but is now considered socially acceptable or decriminalized.

Why has this change occurred?

By Day 5 of Week 1

Respond to two colleagues:

Choose a response that is different from your own.

Explain how your colleague’s position has changed your perception or understanding.

STUDENT 1 ANSWER BRODY HICKS

PLEASE ANSWER BACK TO STUDENT WITH 1 OR 2 PARAGRAPHS

There was a time when Tattoos were socially unacceptable in society. Nowadays, a large majority of people have tattoos that cover their bodies. Today, tattoos have been seen as a form of body expression just like any other type of fashion such as clothing or jewelry.

According to the article, Tattoos in the Workplace, A. Hilliker noted, “for over three hundred years, tattoos have been viewed as a deviant act, one that causes individuals to associate those with tattoos with risky and foolish behavior” (p.62). One of the questions I had for this article was where it was based out of. I understand that in most western countries, tattoos were socially unacceptable or deviant, but I think tattoos are welcomed in other cultures or tribes found throughout the world. As Inderbitzin and Gainey mentioned, some cultures have different beliefs and therefore, different social norms and examples of what deviant behavior can be.

I believe tattoos have become more socially acceptable in our culture today because many people see tattoos as having deep meaning in their lives’. For example, a good friend of mine has a tattoo across his left arm that reminds him of his father who passed away. Tattoos can also have a significant story behind them. Tattoos don’t make you a bad person, and I believe society has begun to understand this.

References

Hilliker, A. (n.d.). Tattoos in the Workplace. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/iusburj/article/download/19663/25747

Inderbitzin, M., Bates, K. A., & Gainey, R. R. (2017). Deviance and social control: A sociological perspective (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

STUDENT 2 ANSWER Shalanda Walton

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Discussion - Week 1

When it comes to crime and deviant behavior, there are a lot of changes made as the years have gone past. Differentiating between what is criminal and what is deviant behavior is important when determining if a criminal act has been committed. A lot of what was considered criminal over 50 years ago has now become a more deviant behavior simply while no criminal act was committed it was banned from the public to witness as a bad thing to do. In this new and carefree world today, one must obtain the pertinent knowledge in understanding how to address crime and its repercussions in society as well eliminating more of the deviant behavior that are not criminal acts. The idea of deviant over time is an objective reality based on societal norms created by groups of power or authority. I do believe that at some point it was possibly just a label imposed by others. At the time has progressed, it is something that was projected upon others for so long that most just went along with it even if they believed otherwise.

In the past 50 years something that has been considered deviant but is now socially acceptable is sexually unconventional behavior such as lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, gay marriage etc. Years ago, it was kind of extreme for someone to come out as a couple or about their sexuality in front of others, not even family members or loved ones. Especially individuals who did not understand the behavior behind it to begin with. I also believe that as more individuals shared their stories and became more aware that they were not alone, they begin to fight for equality when it came to their sexuality. As cited in “Deviance and social control” Bates and Gainey (2017), “As with virtually every kind of deviance, sexual deviance is largely determined by the community, culture, and context”. As these LGBT communities begin to have a voice of many and were able to protest and speak their truth along with sharing the knowledge enabling one to be content with who they were. As well as display a different prospective to those against something or someone simply because they do not understand.

References

CRJS 2001: Criminology and Social Control

Inderbitzinm, M., Bates, K. A., and Gainey, R. R. (2107). Deviance and social control, A sociological perspective (2nd ed.). Sage publications.