What is Deviance?

It is the beginning of the semester and the beginning of this class. In the course catalog the class is listed as SOC 112: Sociology of Deviant Control. However, during the first day of class we were told to disregard the ‘Deviant Control’ part and consider it more the Sociology of Deviance or the Sociology of the Deviant. I am writing this entry right now because I want to put down what my initial thoughts are regarding deviance, before I begin any of the readings, before we go in depth with class lectures and discussions and before the semester is over. Why is this important to me? Because I find it interesting to see how an initial idea/thought/assumption starts out as and then slowly evolves, whether it becomes strengthened or changes.

Right now, at this very moment, I define ‘deviance’ as acts an individual partakes in and/or is considered by society as wrong/unjust/criminal/etc. Deviance, for me, can range from small petty crimes like vandalism to bigger crimes like murder and kidnapping. To me, deviance is the intent to do something wrong and potentially hurtful to another individual. It is deviant in the nature of it wanders away from what is acceptable behavior and acts into a grey area. Deviance is the intent to do harm, to do wrong, to break the law and to feel no remorse in having done these actions.

As far as who is ‘deviant’, for me the ones that fall into this category are murderers, rapists, kidnappers, and muggers/robbers to name a few. I understand that the individuals that I’ve listed can be considered the more extreme of ‘deviants’, however I do not consider people who are not the ‘norm’ in regards to sexuality, ethnicity, race, and gender as ‘deviants’. Why? Because they are not hurting anyone, they are not intentionally setting out to do harm to an individual or a group, and some are being labeled for things that they cannot control.

Now, one may argue that religion can play into deviance, however like politics I try my best to stay a good distance from talks of religion. Not only do I find it in poor taste to discuss in social settings but I also find that discussions just turn into heated conversations that end up going in circles with no clear middle ground in sight. Hm, perhaps conversations of politics and religion should be considered ‘deviant’ since it threatens to shake up a foundation of a social group. :)

I’m excited to see what the class has to offer me, how it will change my views and how it can make my views grow. I have no doubt that like many of my previous classes, this one will challenge my beliefs and force me to confront a few of my assumptions but I will confront this like I have so many times in the past: with an open mind. Because if anyone hopes to become a better person it must be done with an open mind and with the willingness to grow as a person.