Deviance: Always Negative?

Description:
Four high school students socializing in the lobby of their high school. These students may be seen as “socially deviant” due to the way they dress.

Sociological Interpretation:

The picture shown is displaying four individuals socializing in a high school setting. The individuals seen here are individuals who do not follow the standard “norm”. A norm is defined as “a specific expression of value.” Meaning, “Norms are behavioral prescriptions or instructions that apply to behavior in various roles and statuses.” (Knuttila, pg. 65)

Many young adults do not feel as if they fit into any one ‘certain group’. Instead of trying to establish themselves in a socially accepted group, they choose to stray away from the norm and dress or behave in a way that to some, may seem deviant. Deviance is often seen in a negative persona. In actuality, the term deviance means “Social actions and behaviors that violate commonly acceptable, dominant, or mainstream values, norms, folkways, and mores.” (Knuttila, pg.369). For example, a scientist may break the rules of his or her discipline, in order to create a new theory, cure, or explanation. The scientist may be sanctioned, and awarded a Noble Prize for his or her accomplishments. But were his or her original actions not deviant? He or she broke away from the norm, meaning he or she had committed an act of deviance.

Young adults who have a tendency to stray from the norm are viewed as deviants, but instead of viewing this deviance in a negative light, we as a society should view it in a positive way. Dressing differently should no longer be seen as a negative behavior, but as a positive expression of one’s inner being, and one’s want or need to be socially accepted by a group of his or her peers. Deviance that violates folkways (which are norms that are based upon customs, traditions, or etiquette) should not always be seen as a negative. We as a society need to realize that humans all have different traits and qualities that make them unique. Just because we may view something as socially deviant, we should not assume that it is wrong. We need to accept these differences, and allow them to flourish and intertwine within our culture.