Functionalism in Crime and Deviance PDF

**Functionalism in Crime and Deviance** **1. Introduction** Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a system of interconnected parts, each contributing to the stability and functioning of society as a whole. Crime and deviance, from a functionalist perspective, are seen a...

**Functionalism in Crime and Deviance** **1. Introduction** Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a system of interconnected parts, each contributing to the stability and functioning of society as a whole. Crime and deviance, from a functionalist perspective, are seen as normal and necessary aspects of society, which play a role in maintaining social order and cohesion. **2. Key Concepts in Functionalism** - **Social Structure**: The organized framework of society, which influences individuals\' behavior. - **Social Order**: A state of stability and predictability in society, maintained through shared norms, values, and institutions. - **Consensus**: A general agreement among members of society on norms and values. - **Function**: The role that a social structure or action plays in maintaining stability within society. **3. Crime and Deviance as Functional** Functionalists argue that crime and deviance have several necessary functions that contribute to social stability. Crime and deviance are not inherently negative but serve a purpose. **Durkheim's Views on Crime** Emile Durkheim, a founding figure in functionalism, believed that crime was a natural and inevitable part of society. He argued that: - **Crime is inevitable**: In all societies, there will always be some individuals who break social norms. Even in the most well-ordered societies, there will be individuals who engage in deviant behavior. - **Crime is normal**: Durkheim argued that crime is a normal part of society and has functional roles in maintaining social order. He believed that crime could act as a \"safety valve\" for society. - **Social change**: Deviance can bring about social change. When new acts of deviance challenge existing norms, it can lead to a re-evaluation and evolution of societal values. **The Function of Crime** Durkheim proposed that crime and deviance serve several functions: 1. **Social Integration and Cohesion**: Deviance can bring people together in reaction to it. For example, when a crime occurs, society unites in disapproval, reinforcing shared values. 2. **Boundary Setting**: Crime helps to clarify and reinforce societal norms and values. When people break norms, society reacts with punishment, reminding everyone of what is acceptable behavior. 3. **Social Change**: Deviance can lead to positive social change. For example, acts of civil disobedience can challenge outdated laws, leading to societal reform. **Anomie and Crime** Durkheim introduced the concept of **anomie**, a state of normlessness or breakdown in societal norms, which can occur during times of social change or instability. Anomie leads to confusion about what is acceptable behavior, resulting in deviance or crime as individuals may not know how to behave according to the rules. **4. Merton's Strain Theory** Robert K. Merton expanded on Durkheim\'s ideas with his **Strain Theory**, which focuses on how societal structures can encourage deviance. Merton suggested that deviance arises when individuals are unable to achieve culturally approved goals by legitimate means. - **The American Dream**: Merton used the example of the \"American Dream\" to explain how society\'s emphasis on achieving material success can lead to deviance. Not everyone has equal access to the means necessary to achieve this success (e.g., education, job opportunities), leading some individuals to resort to alternative, deviant means. - **Modes of Individual Adaptation**: Merton identified five ways individuals adapt to strain: 1. **Conformity**: Accepting both the goals and means. 2. **Innovation**: Accepting the goals but rejecting or modifying the means (e.g., turning to crime). 3. **Ritualism**: Abandoning the goals but rigidly adhering to the means. 4. **Retreatism**: Rejecting both the goals and means (e.g., drug addiction). 5. **Rebellion**: Rejecting both the established goals and means, seeking to replace them with new ones. **5. Subcultural Theories** - **Albert Cohen's Status Frustration**: Cohen extended Merton's theory, focusing on how working-class youth adapt to strain. He argued that working-class boys often experience status frustration because they are unable to achieve success in the ways valued by middle-class society. This leads to the formation of delinquent subcultures, where deviant behavior becomes a way to gain status. - **Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory**: Cloward and Ohlin expanded on Merton's ideas by suggesting that individuals in lower socio-economic backgrounds have access to different types of subcultures, which provide distinct opportunities for deviant behavior. These opportunities include criminal subcultures, conflict subcultures, and retreatist subcultures. **6. Evaluation of Functionalist Theories** While functionalist theories provide useful insights into how deviance can play a role in maintaining social order, they have been criticized on several points: - **Overemphasis on Social Stability**: Critics argue that functionalism overlooks the role of power and inequality in shaping crime and deviance. It tends to assume that all deviance serves a positive function, ignoring how it might reflect social inequalities. - **Ignores the Impact of Punishment**: Functionalists suggest that punishment reaffirms social norms, but they don\'t fully explore how punishment can be harmful or reinforcing social inequalities. - **Overlooks the Role of Conflict**: Functionalism tends to downplay the role of conflict, focusing instead on consensus and order. It does not adequately address the ways in which deviance might be a response to exploitation or oppression. - **Idealistic Assumptions**: The theory often assumes that society is generally cohesive and that crime is only a minor disruptor. In reality, crime can be a significant issue, and societal norms are not always agreed upon. **7. Conclusion** Functionalism offers a valuable perspective on crime and deviance, highlighting how these phenomena can serve important functions in maintaining social order, integration, and promoting social change. However, functionalist theories are limited by their tendency to overlook power imbalances, social inequalities, and the negative consequences of deviance and punishment. Despite these limitations, functionalism remains a foundational approach in the study of crime and deviance.