Analysis of Deviance: Culture, Norms, and Societal Expectations

This essay provides an overview of deviance within a societal context, focusing on the influence of cultural norms and expectations on individual behavior. It uses examples such as alcohol consumption and abortion legality to illustrate how perceptions of deviance can change over time due to factors like liberalism and legal sanctions. The author reflects on personal experiences with counterculture, particularly concerning consumption habits, and the judgment faced from society. The essay concludes that deviation from traditional norms often leads to judgment and punishment, highlighting the complex relationship between individuals and societal expectations regarding conformity and deviance. Desklib offers a platform for students to access similar essays and study resources.

Running head: DEVIANCE
Deviance
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1DEVIANCE
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................2
Discussion......................................................................................................................2
Conclusion......................................................................................................................2
References:.....................................................................................................................3

2DEVIANCE
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to understand the meaning of deviance in the context
of society. In addition to this, evidence has been provided in the form of consumption
of food. Many food items are not allowed in some societies due to the prevalence of
norms and customs (Akers & Jennings, 2019). Not adhering to such customs leads to
deviance (Tittle, 2018).
Discussion
Consumption of alcohol was earlier considered to be a form of deviance in the
society but with the introduction of liberalism, slowly society has started to accept it.
My belief system changed when I had to travel to the United States of America for my
higher studies and found the people to be more acceptable to my urges.
Similarly, the question of abortion was earlier illegal but with the sanction of law,
many countries of the world have made it legal.
I have once ascribed to a counterculture which brought about considerable change
to the manner in which I saw the world such as that of consuming liquor. I was
heavily judged by the members of my society for it
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be observed that whenever a person deviates from the
traditional norms set by the culture of the society, they are judged and often times
punished by the other members of the community.

3DEVIANCE
References:
Akers, R. L., & Jennings, W. G. (2019). The social learning theory of crime and
deviance. In Handbook on crime and deviance (pp. 113-129). Springer, Cham.
Tittle, C. R. (2018). Control balance: Toward a general theory of deviance. Routledge.