Social Norms

Have you ever done something so odd and so weird that you got hundreds of funny looks in your direction? Usually, when you get these looks, you are breaking some sort of social norm. Social norms are rules of behavior that are considered acceptable in a society during certain situations, but breaking the social norms can be highly frowned upon in the social world we live in today. Certain social norms that are universally known include driving on the right side of the road, keeping a pinky promise and living by the golden rule. Social norms can keep a community together and running smoothly if used, but many people like to push the boundaries of normality to see what happens and how others will respond. Although, I do not embarrass easily, I thought it would be interesting to see people’s reactions if for just one day I violated a social norm.

The five social norms that I am glad exist are the standards of personal space, the expected standard for personal hygiene, the expected standard for manners in public i.e. avoiding belching or flatulating in public areas, the norm of individual choices, and the social norm of education being a standard.

In our society we have a number of society norms that we abide by. For example, there is an unwritten rule of how one should behave in an elevator. For example, it is proper to face front, stand away from strangers, and not to look at others. When a social norm is broken people may respond with alarm, humor, fear, irritation, or an array of other emotions. When you think of a norm, you are probably thinking about being normal. But in psychology terms, norm means, a standard or representative value for a group. The norm that is more common to people is a social norm. Meaning expectations about what behavior, thoughts, or feelings are appropriate within a given group within a given context.

It is assumed that you will use utensils to eat your food and have good manners. Negative sanctions for not abiding by those norms will result in your friends leaving to eat somewhere else, and getting strange looks from other students. It is expected that you will sit with your friends and not join people that you do not know at their table. Most people will be surprised that you have disobeyed social norms in such a bold way. They will probably get up and sit at a different table. These negative sanctions should show you that your behavior is unacceptable and dissuade you from doing it

Humans interact and go on about their daily life unknowingly following rules that society establishes as well as common social norms. Although this is a strange concept to grasp, this phenomenon is how society acts as a whole and how we as individuals are. Social norms are ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside a person but exert social control over each person they interact with. These are the rules that we abide by and are ingrained in our heads but what happens if one breaks that social norm.

In society, today most people live by what we call “social norms” a representation of an individual’s own basic knowledge of what others do and what they think they should do; some follow suite and some don’t. We are all living in a world where everyone has different opinions and judgments. Also, every one of us has a different perspective of the world and what we know is merely based on our own experiences. One only adapts to what they are familiar with and at times you tend to lose out because they’re reluctant of change so we resort back to our norm of life. We are prisoners of our own ability and we are subject to the social patterns we live in.

In comparison from the three generations of women in my family, including my grandmother, mother and myself the difference in women’s opportunity, freedoms and overall social norms have greatly changed. From expectations in the home, work, school and society there has been a large leap in positive alterations, many would agree that this change is for the better of societies overall functions. The biggest difference between the three generations of women was societies common idea that a woman belongs in the home. Although, this stereotype is still prevalent one can see a trend of raising young women to become independent and successful. Women have fought for their freedoms for many years and although there is still the question of true equality

Social norms have always played a major role in today's society. A social norm is how we consider behaviors to be appropriate. However, norms are the rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable (Mills 1959). Social norms are essentially the means by which any given society may construct and organize itself. They are the ways in which a society defines what tends to be acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to an individual. Different views change over time whether it is through history or an individual themselves who tends to age. Sometimes staying up to date with society and keeping up with the new trends can be unhealthy and have an effect on individuals and the public. The social norm I choose to break was walking into a public men's restroom at a restaurant while out with friends. I choose this social norm because it shows the men's reactions and behaviors once I entered their restroom. However, their behaviors showed how society acts toward certain situations in certain places and what roles are played during the process.

“Children are natural born explorers” (Paredes, 2014). They question everything and seek answers to feed their never ending curiosity. As a child, I remember asking my parents what the purpose of school was. I would ask them questions such as Why do I go to school? What happens if I don’t go? and Why was school created? In response, my parents would tell me that school is important because it provides an environment where I can learn, and they would say that without an education, I had no future. They would also say that since all little children go to school, I have to go as well. I never really understood the purpose behind education when I was younger, but nonetheless I continued to go to school and learn and grow simply because going to school, in itself, is considered to be a social norm. Now that I am older, I am able to decipher what the purpose of education is. In fact, education serves multiple purposes. Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons both argued that “education is meant to bind members of society together- it creates social unity and solidarity” (Thompson, 2008). While Emile Durkheim proposed this theory, Parsons was able to develop it; he

Dr. V. Chandra-Mouli, a leading World Health Organization (W.H.O) expert and representative, in a video posted on You Tube (2015) explained the numerous challenges towards educating the youth on how to achieve a happy sexual and reproductive life. Martinez, (2009) was of a similar opinion as Dr. V. Chandra-Mouli that the teenage sexual life needs to be enjoyed; however as it is, too much focus is paid on how to educate the youths about reproduction, sex or how to avoid problems. Schalet et al. (2014) identified that societal norms and values were to blame for not creating a platform for the youth to be educated on how to enjoy their sexual life.

This paper will give a definition of deviance by analyzing the varying types and definition of deviance. Violations of social norms is key to defining deviance. There are three key features within social norms: time, place, and situation, that come together to establish deviance. The relativity of the all of those events combined into one along with who is perceiving the act is what defines deviance Social Norm are informal rules that help govern a society. Norms differ from place, time period, and situations.

Social norm is the understanding people can influence our behavior in day to day basis. In social norms in society there is implicit rules which, is known as the not spoken but, you learn them when you deviate the rule by breaking the social norms in society such as, values, beliefs, attitudes, morals and behavior. People tend to follow the norms of society or the group. But, not following the social norms of society, individuals might think your deviant. However, social norms can be biased sometimes because, every culture has different norms and values. For example, shaking hands between both genders is very common in western countries because, it's seen as a norm. Whereas, in other parts of the world handshake between men and women can

Social and Cultural Norms shape the decisions individuals make throughout their lives. Social Norms are a set of guidelines that people follow when they take action and they are usually enforced by punishments and rewards, it is used on a daily basis (Wade, Tavris, 332). There are also social roles that people fall under and that typically is determined by one’s culture. Culture is a program that follows certain rules which govern the way the members behave. Usually all the members of a particular culture share the same beliefs, values, and customs (Wade, Tavris, 332). Culture and social norms not only influence a person’s decision, but it also affects who people trust. There have been studies that show people tend to trust people with the

Sociologists study human's social lives, interactions, processes, and organizations within their daily contact with social, political, and economic influences. Through numerous amount of theories they observe how social influences affect particular groups or individuals. This can and has created public controversy called a social problem. This is a condition that undermines the well-being of some or all members of society. Usually, these problems are a result of social norms that assume a standard behavior and quota for 7.4 billion people to acknowledge and abide by. For example, the source of deviance is found within the social structure. Society plays a major role in creating and sustaining deviance by labeling those viewed as abnormal.

Society, without even saying a word, has given us rules and guidelines that we have to abide. Social norms are rules or guidelines regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable or appropriate within a culture. They are so embedded within our daily life that often we do not notice them. Because norms are so ingrained within our society, deviation of social norms can lead to be ostracized or even arrested depending on the situation. Violating norms, like promoting hate message about poor people, in society can be explained through the functionalism theory.