Assignment 8

What do you think of when you hear the word deviance? Most people think of the term in a criminal sense. Deviance is a, “socially disapproved behavior…” (Newman, 223). When we speak about disapproved behaviors, we are referring to behaviors that are not socially accepted by society. There is an understanding or acceptability among people as to what is considered deviant. For instance, society feels it is appropriate to punish those who commit robbery. Those who commit this crime should be punished.

A common issue we see in our society among youth is underage drinking. We would consider this type of behavior deviant. There is set drinking age in the state of Minnesota (21). Any young personal that engages in underage drinking, is consider to be deviant or engaging in behavior that is not considered appropriate. What most people do not think about, are the reasons in which a person engages in deviant behaviors. There could be deep rooted emotional/mental issues, or it could be as simple as a socially pressure from peers. Regardless of the reason a person engages in a behavior, society will consider that behavior or action to be deviant.

Below is an table of deviant behaviors and what is considered to be socially problematic and acceptable. It is interesting how we can take behaviors and turn them into actions that are accepted by society.

The Continuum of Social Acceptability 

Family Today

What is family? Is family defined by the people that you are biologically related to? Or is it the actions in which people in a family support one another? When I think of family, I basically think of parents and children residing in the same environment.

Family dynamic has changed drastically over the years. Lets us do a little comparison. For instance, families in earlier times sat together and ate dinner together. Mom was usually at home taking care of the kids while dad went to work. Things like homework and chores were enforced more back then they are now. Respect was big. You respected any and everyone older then you. Safety was not as big of a concern as it is today. Kids could be free to play outside and a mother would not have to worry. Kids did not sit in front of the T.V. for hours.  Peer pressure was not as big as it is today.

It is my own personal belief that society has changed the way we do family. Things that were not always acceptable before are most common today. For instance, mom typically doesn’t stay home. She has her own career and there are two incomes supporting the family. Family dinners don’t usually happen with the amount of activities kids are involved in. The T.V. is no referred to as the “best babysitter”. It will not be until society places the importance back on the family unit that we will see a shift in the importance of family dynamics.