Social Construct View of Crime: Deviance
The
social construct view of crime is based on the concept of deviance
- behaviors that a dominant group does not accept because it considers
them dangerous, embarrassing or annoying to the rest of society. Members
of the dominant group dislike certain behaviors based on moral views
or other interests, such as quality of life or economic reasons, so
they label them deviant (anti-social). In order to prevent some of
these behaviors, the dominant group makes laws against them. This
is how some deviant acts become criminal.
However, defining crime based on the
concept of deviance is difficult because every instance of deviant
conduct is not necessarily a criminal act, and every criminal act
is not a deviant act. For example, homosexuality is one behavior that
is considered deviant by some people, but it is not criminal. Drinking
a beer in the street, on the other hand, is not considered deviant
by many, but it is a criminal act in New York. Therefore, the concept
of deviance cannot be used to define crime.
Another problem with using the concept
of deviance to define crime is that it is not the act but the dominant
group's reaction to the act that makes the behavior deviant. Not long
ago, explicit sexual activities in movies and on television were unacceptable
and considered deviant. In contrast, nowadays there is hardly a movie
that does not involve a sex scene of some form. This changing response
to an act is another reason why the concept of deviance cannot be
used to define criminal behavior.
In your own words, explain
what deviance is.
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Instructions:
Read the passage and type your answer in the box.
