functionalism and crime and deviance Flashcards
what Durkheim says about crime and deviance
he says it is inevitable because even in a society of saints, people will break norms and values
Durkheim’s view, the purpose of crime is to reinforce peoples shared values reaffirming social solidarity
Durkheim believes it benefits society for 3 reasons
-boundary maintainence
-adaption and change
-safety value/ warning sign
1st part
boundary maintainence
boundary maintainence is whereby society is taught ,via socialisation, the expected norms and values. Formally we follow this via the law. If we break a law we are punished. Informal sanctions are usually given via family in primary socialistion, we have trangressed a boundary
This reminds everyone about ‘rights & wrongs’ and how people should behave for the greater good of society.
2nd part
boundary maintainence
the 2nd part is that it unites society by seeing that people who dont follow societeis N+V are punished, something is done about them it also teaches people in society that if you break a law there will be a consequence. Thus reinforcing N+V and creating a more cohesive society who reinforce the n+v ever in more informal means like social disgust
adapation and change
although functionalists dont like change they acknowlwdege that society shouldnt stagnate. so laws may change to reinforce the change in N+V e.g gay marraige, smoking, rights of women. therefore this continues to benefit society by moving with the time
durkheim argues crime happens for several reasons
1) POOR SOCIALISATION
2) In complex modern societies, where there is lots of diversity, subcultures emerge with their own values and culture that can be considered as deviant by the rest of society .
safety value
Cohen (1961) suggested that deviance allows people to ‘Let off Steam’ in a relatively harmless way. This allows people to de-stress (and remain functional). Cohen used the example of prostitution as a release that allowed for sexual expression.
warning sign
Clinard (1974) proposed that when crime/ deviance occurs it sends a message to us that society’s social order is breaking down. This then prompts governments/ councils to do something about the problem. Cohen links this to high truancy in schools.
other functions of crime
JOBS: Crime creates employment which is not only useful for individuals but is also good for families and society as a whole.
why does it occur in the first place
ANOMIE & ATROPHY: When people experience inequality and barriers to their life-chances they begin to experience ANOMIE (Normlessness). As a result of this anomie they turn to crime/ deviance in order to gain the things that they have been prevented from achieving
anomie and atrophy
Anomie, and the resulting deviant behaviour, breaks down social solidarity and weakens value consensus. This is described as the ATROPHY (erosion) of societies norms and values. ATROPHY is therefore dysfunctional if it occurs on a large scale.
Deviants are those that experience ANOMIE and as a result go against society’s value consensus. Deviants therefore are somehow ‘different’ to ‘normal’ people.
evaluations
Durkheim is not specific in how much crime is needed for society to be functional. Equally he does not state how much crime is detrimental to society.
Crime has not necessarily been created to create solidarity.
Crime does not always create solidarity. For example, what about the woman that stays at home through fear of being attacked?
double evaluations
however
Some crimes do promote solidarity amongst communities. For example, communities that come together to condemn a brutal attack.
Functionalism does provide a valuable way of showing us that not everything that is bad, is bad for society.
