Summary Of Defining Deviancy Down By Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In our everyday society, we see things but pretend to be blind, we hear things but pretend to be deaf, we taste freedom but pretend to live in hell, we smell corruption but pretend to live in heaven, and we touch others sorrow but pretend to be emotionless. What is becoming of our society you ask? We are becoming more lenient towards deviancy as time progresses, meaning that we are departing from the norm.

Sociologists have discussed topics that affect our society for a long time. It follows that scholars in the field can gain knowledge by reviewing previous publications on different subjects. One topic that interests sociologists is deviance. This owes to the reality those scholars such as Stuber et al., (2008) and Andersen et al., (2008) made publications on the topic in question. What is deviance? The term deviance identifies an unacceptable or odd behavior within a society. The term is also used in sociology to connote any violation of societal norms. It is notable that every society has identified standards for deviance. For instance, Hindus believe that a cow is a holy animal and cannot be killed. On the contrary, Christians kill cattle for food. It follows that deviant behavior varies depending on different societies. This paper explains the meaning of deviance by focusing on the definition of deviance to help sociologists appreciate its nature, causes, and effects.

Deviance is the confrontation of the different in a social norm, it is what is deemed to be unacceptable and wrong. Though this does not conclude that an act of deviance is always something that is of wrong doing. As a society somebody who is violating the law is viewed in a negative way. While there are violations that are unquestionably freak in light of the fact that they are outside the standard, (for example, homicide, assault, and so forth.), there are additionally wrongdoings that are not degenerate. There are also good acts of Deviance, such as Martin Luther King, who stood up for the right of African Americans during tough ordeal.Therefore an act of deviance is simply an act of breaking a social view of something whether it be for good of for bad. Durkheim believed that deviance was good for a society, when in stable rates, because it stimulated change and evolution of the society. He believed that deviance was what made a society evolve and become better (Solovay & Mueller).

Acceptance and comprehension of behaviors, not only in the United States, but also in many different countries has come to be an argument that does not have a clear end. Sociologists and even politicians have been discussing how something that in the past was unacceptable, in the modern world is seen as normal and beneficial for society. For example, marriage in couples of the same sex, people and even the Supreme Court have been discussing the idea of giving these people the right to be married and have the same benefits as a “normal” couple. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who was an American politician and sociologist wrote a whole essay on these topics, entitled: “Defining Deviancy Down” written in 1993. He presented to the United States and

Index Crimes-the FBI 's tallying of violent crimes of murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, plus property crimes

Deviance can be defined as an absence of conformity to the social norm. Not all deviant behavior is necessarily illegal or harmful to individuals, these behaviors can range from standing in another’s personal space to murdering another individual. In some cases, it can be looked upon as a positive change or a unique and favorable act. Although, considered deviant because it is not the social norm, it still can have a very positive social aspect or lead to social change. Culture and the societies within these cultures have a significant impact on what is considered deviant and what is acceptable or even lawful behavior. The degree of deviance is measured by society’s reaction towards the action and the lawful sanctions that may take

They see the overwhelming importance given to sexual attractiveness in the media-one study estimated that the average teenager ahs witnessed nearly 14,000 sexual encounters on television- yet they also hear their parents and religious advisers telling them that sex is wrong. As a result, many young people begin having sex without really intending to and without taking precautions against pregnancy.

There was once a time when premarital sex hardly ever existed, but that is not the case today. The age of individuals taking part in premarital sex is declining, and people are partaking in sexual acts at much younger ages. There is a highly unrealistic goal to encourage all Americans to abstain from sex until they marry (Finer 2). This is a highly unrealistic goal; the amount of people having premarital sex may lower, but getting all Americans to abstain is a nearly impossible goal. A 2002 survey showed that seventy-five percent of people aged 20 had premarital sex. The same survey portrayed participants aged 44 and it showed that ninety-five percent had sex before marrying. The survey showed that only around three percent of people abstained until marriage (Finer 3). Premarital sex also differs in the different sexes. Males were more likely to participate in premarital sex than women. This statistic is still common today. Premarital sex seemed to play a major role in relationships all the way back to the 1940s, it just depended on what age they did the act. By age 44, almost all people, if not married, had premarital sex (Finer 4). This is a social norm that seemed to stay relatively constant in American society throughout history. Not being abstinent is something that individuals have been accustomed to. It was socially

Deviance is defined as the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior. There are many different forms of deviance in today 's society. Something that is viewed as being deviant in one culture might be seen as normal in another. There are many different types and theories in which define deviance, however their are 3 broad categories, these 3 categories are positivist, relativist, and critical conceptions of deviance. These 3 categories are important in defining deviance because they break down deviance as a whole and better help understand the different acts in which we label as being deviant. Deviance as a whole is important to study especially in today 's society with their

Adhering to your religious and personal beliefs in a society where there have been generational shifts in attitudes toward nonmarital sex is challenging. These changes in sexual attitudes and behaviors are connected to growing cultural individualism in the United States. When a culture places more importance on the desires of the self and less on social rules, more relaxed attitudes toward sexuality are the almost inevitable result. You are faced with the decision of conforming to a society where the acceptance of premarital sex is at an all time high. Yet, your religion and personal beliefs have shaped your moral compass, which makes it evident that you do not wish to stray away from your decision of abstaining from sex until marriage. In efforts to assist you in effectively communicating your desires to your girlfriend we will evaluate your relationship through key communication concepts such as: culture, Social Exchange Theory, Social Penetration Theory, listening, and Self-Discrepancy Theory. .

society in premarital sex. More recently, a few studies conducted among Soviets concluded that a majority of Russian students approve of premarital sex, although there was also considerable diversity in their views (Young). Women in both countries view infidelity in marriage with disdain.

Strain Theory – Modes of Adaptation – how individuals adapt to the strain of not having access to scarce resources such as money, education, talent, ability, etc. Merton says we don’t all have the same opportunities in life

Before contraceptives (1918-1960), sex and conception was a natural and spontaneous occurrence that was not carefully planned or calculated and it was a practice mostly confined to marriage with men being the more learnt of the sexes in they homosocial milieu in which they occupied. Moral standards were high with sexual knowledge of all kinds were often seen as "sleazy" or unrespectable. (Kate Fisher, 2006)

Society has plugged information into young people’s mind for generations. This programmed, presumptive information has made youthful people, especially teenagers, and young adults think and act like robots. Buried deep in many teenagers thoughts ensued by their parents and society are the words, “No sex before marriage!”. Different people, have countless different reasons that they believe one should not have sex before marriage. Society, in lots of different places look poorly on those who engage sexually before being married. I’ve witnessed it happen more then once locally in my area, and its always ends with such a negative outcome. Even in schools kids are taught that sex is bad thing, and told not to engage in any sort of sexual activity. Rather then being taught about the importance of safe sex society is programing kids to just not have sex at all, especially in America. “Americans love to tout the value of waiting until marriage to have sex. We teach abstinence-only education in schools across the country, and even comprehensive sex-ed programs often point out that "abstinence is best."” (Jill Filipovic). People get married, most of the time, because the love each other but marriage is only a document. And when you love someone, you don’t need a contract to prove it. And you shouldn’t need a stamp of approval saying when and when you’re not allowed to be intimate with someone you love. Having sex before marriage should not be looked so poorly upon this day in age.

Over many years, the views of premarital sex have been becoming increasingly more tolerant. The whole reasoning behind why sex was created is lost in the minds of society and used for pleasure and own physical satisfaction. There are negative consequences for these actions leading to guilt, depression, and numbness to intimate relationships. Having strong parental influence can also strongly affect the outcomes of adolescence and causal sex. Additionally, marriage can be