Deviance refers to actions and things that violate any social norms, laws and orders. The social norm defines the historically developed limit, measure, and interval of permissible behavior of people, groups or organizations in a particular society. Often such social standards are supported by laws, traditions, and customs. However, as every society develops, its values and norms also change. For this reason, things considered deviant in the past century may be regarded as the norm in the modern world and vice versa.
Examples of deviance that violate the law are robbery, assault, murder, rape, and others (“Deviance,” 2020). They are easy to determine; for them, the offender usually carries punishment, and there is typically no place for a personal view. Examples of deviance that violate social norms are more difficult to indicate. For instance, in modern society, it is not common to slurp, swear, or insult people. However, in some communities, such behavior is considered to be normal. Moreover, the understanding of the deviant is relative because it is always assessed from the point of view of the culture adopted in some community.
Some phenomena are still struggling for the right to be considered the norm. For example, the LGBT movement has dramatically increased over the past twenty years, although society is still has divided opinions about same-sex relationships. A sharp change has occurred in the norms towards women – fifty years ago, an adult unmarried woman who wished to build a career was considered a deviance. Moreover, society has not yet overcome gender discrimination, and there are those who condemn women who do not want to have a family or children.
Thus, several things in the modern world are considered deviant. It may be a violation of the law, ethical norms, and customs adopted in a particular society. Deviations differ in cultures and even families, depending on their mentality. They may have various causes, but if they can potentially harm people, the source of such behavior needs help or punishment (in the event of a violation of the law).
Reference
Deviance. (2020). Web.