Politics Power and Deviance

Question 1

How would a Social Constructionist answer why Tobacco smoking has decreased over the years?

Answer 1

• association of smoking tobacco is injurious to health but more importantly, it is associated with a “lower class” behaviour
• the criminalization of the behaviour
• demonization of some lifestyles and criminalization of others (status conflict)
• the assimilative process through moral crusades by MEs
• moral crusades are typically occupied by the dominant group

Question 2

what is an assimilative reform?

Answer 2

• sympathy for the deviant integrative methods of changing their way of life
  example: education

Question 3

what is coercive reforms?

Answer 3

when deviants are denying their ways of life, introducing coercive methods such as force, laws, etc. to change their ways of life

example: prison

Question 4

What was the socialization of cigarette smoking in the US?

Answer 4

• Initially smoking cigarettes was extremely popular in the US
• health risks emerged which made smokers appear inconsiderate, unclean, and socially reprehensible
• demarcation of smokers and non-smokers ended the stigmatization of smokers
• Initially done through assimilative methods
• smokers not wanting to quit beyond this led to coercive methods which introduced laws against indoor smoking

Question 5

What were the normative concerns that lead to the moral crusade against smoking tobacco?

Answer 5

• Smoking also related to lower-class individuals and social groups
• stigmatization of this group helped reinforce the power structure and promoting social change was based on normative concerns
• it targeted the lifestyle of working-class people

Question 6

Why are the ideas surrounding social reforms important?

Answer 6

• allows us to notice patterns within society
• allows us to predict the future (signals of change)

Question 7

The Disney Case study: First Claimsmakers

Answer 7

• AFA (American Family Association) targeted Disney for its non-wholesome family values and not imposing Christian values within their movies
• hiring LGBTQ+ members in high levels of their company

Question 8

The Disney Case: Second Claimsmakers

Answer 8

• Scrutinized for not supporting social justice causes
• no unionization for workers
• when its time to make money Disney forgets about its wholesome values
• female characters are submissive

Question 9

The Disney Case: Third Claimsmakers (Social Scientists)

Answer 9

• overly controlling (business models predicting customer behaviour)
• artificial
• inauthentic