Essay: Deviance and Control

Sample Essay

Words 1,765

Deviance is a variation from the norm. Everything from picking boogers in public to murdering somebody is considering an act of deviance. There are many theories of deviation and the film Boyz in the Hood and it provides a good base for understanding and providing real life examples concerning deviant behavior. The major issues apparent in the film are concerning the control and labeling theory which gives insight into the characters lives.

Boyz N the Hood provides many examples of the deviance and control theories. Deviance in statistics is the variations in what the outcomes are supposed to be. In sociology a deviant is a person who isn’t what he should normally be. Any variation from social, cultural or religious norms can be deviation.

“In a recent book about deviance, Douglas (1984) has identified rape,         homosexuality and terrorism as major categories of deviance today, and his   choice of these highlights a recurrent concern among sociologists to link an             analysis of deviance with that of particular forms of sexual and violent behavior.   Indeed, a quick glance through the contents of any book dealing with deviance is    likely to reveal an interest in making sense of forms of sexual behavior as diverse  as prostitution, child abuse, homosexuality, transexualism and extra-marital sexual activity. Similarly with respect to violence, interest has been shown in gang violence, rape, juvenile delinquency, football hooliganism and acts of  terrorism. To this list of concerns, however, should be added studies looking at less spectacular forms of deviances such as alcohol dependence, childlessness,  stuttering, and solvent use” (Aggleton 1-2)

Many of these deviations are portrayed in the movie. The most significant ones relate to crime, murder, sex, and alcohol and drug abuse. A lot less spectacular forms of deviation are also apparent in the movie. One example of this is when Ricky urinates in one of the alleys right before his death. By studying this film closely a lot of deviant behaviors can be pointed at easily.

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