DEVIATION, SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND CONTROL
OVERVIEW
Norms in laypeople’s terms refer to rules, standards, or patterns that every member of community
is expected to follow. If a person fails to act in accordance with the norms imposed to him/her by the
community to where he/she belongs then this person will receive penal sanction if not rejection from the
people. This non-observance of rules, standards, or patterns is termed as “deviance”. It should be noted,
though, that what is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another; thus, deviance is relative concept.
Deviance is unavoidable. No matter how deep the religious upbringing of one culture is, there
will always be someone who will ago against the expectations of most members of society. Examples of
possible deviant behaviors that may gain public acceptance include same sex marriage, sex organ
transplant, and the medicinal use of marijuana.
MEANING AND NATURE
When a certain individual fails to act according to the norms and expectations of the society, he/she
is referred to as deviant. Deviance simply means a violation of social norms. In every society, there are
rules to be observed.
According to Kendall (2012), deviance is any behavior, belief, or condition that violates
significant norms in a society or group. These norms include rules observed and cherished because they
are products of a long period of tradition. A deviant person who goes against convictions usually receives
strong opposition from the society; there are forms of deviant behavior that carry harsh penalties.
Deviance may always have negative connotation; people usually get annoyed easily by deviant
behavior. In a different light, high-profile personalities who are creative or artistic may be described as
“deviants.” In this case, the term “deviance” is somehow positive.
In order to understand deviance, it is imperative to study norms, their history, their evolution, and
the changes as society shifts or evolves.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEVIANCE
Deviance has positive and negative effects on individual and society. Some of its positive effects are
as follows:
1. It teaches people what acceptable social behavior is.
2. It strengthens group norms and values.
3. It is a sign or source of social change.
Some of its negative effects are the following:
1. It harms group stability.
2. It induces distrust and ill will.
3. It drains human and economic resources
4. It weakens people’s faith in and conformity to social norms.
SOCIAL TOLERANCE OF DEVIANCE
Why do people deviate from social norms? Reactions to deviance vary by intensity. Violation of
some norms of etiquette, for instance, may meet with only mild disapproval and sanctions, whereas
violation of the rule of law such as murder, rape, robbery, may receive strong condemnation and severe
punishment.
Each particular norm has a tolerance limit, the degree to which norm violations are tolerated or
suppresses by a group. As expected, the severity of the sanctions serves as an index of the seriousness that
the society gives to the violations of the norms. Because some norms are seen as more important or vital
than others, more stringent tolerance limits and more severe sanctions are applied to violations of them.
DEVIANCE AS RELATIVE
Deviance is relative in nature. It depends upon the cultural norms. An individual appears deviant
because other people see his/her that way. Deviance relies on how people interpret social behavior. To
some people, a behavior is deviant; to others it is not. Judgment as to whether an act as deviant or not
depends on various factors like culture, situations, place, time, and the doer of the act. For example, having
two wives is immoral for Christians but it is an acceptable practice among Muslims.
Lastly, no act is by nature deviant. Even killing may be justified; incest is part of tradition; or
gambling is tolerated. Not all deviants are immoral or wrong, not all immoral behaviors are deviant.
THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS OF DEVIANCE
Deviance is regarded as the non-observance of various kinds of norms ranging from simple
infractions of etiquette to grievous and hateful crimes like rape.
Tracing the root cause of deviance is difficult. In a given society, the deviant behavior of an
individual is tolerated and gradually influences a larger group but not necessarily the majority of members.
Example, a deviant act like the practice of cross-dressing and sex organ transplant flourishes if it gains
support from a certain group.
A. STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL VIEW
This view emphasized that people deviate from given social norms because of the rapid changes
that are taking place. Thus, the norm of the society become unclear and is no longer applicable to current
conditions.
Emile Durkheim, that “anomie” or breakdown of societal norms is the major cause of suicide in
industrialized countries. He further asserted that there is nothing abnormal about deviance, since it is
an integral part of the society.
Nevertheless, structural-functional theorists argue that without some amount of deviance,
society could not exist at all.
B. SOCIAL STRAIN THEORY
This theory was introduced by Robert Merton, each society has a primary set of values and goals
with corresponding means of achieving them. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to achieve these goals. The
gap between desired goals and the means people use in order to achieve them is called “social strain.”
Example, success is measured in terms of material possessions, popularity, and social status. Popular Filipino
belief maintains that through hard work, success may attain. Failure is regarded as shortcoming. At present,
many citizens are not materially successful due to high unemployment rate in the Philippines manifested by
almost 70% are living below poverty line.
Moreover, Merton’s Social Strain Theory maintains that people react to the gap between the set values
prescribed by society and their own circumstances through conformity, innovation, retreatism, rebellion,
and ritualism.
1. Conformity – the conforming individual use positive and legitimate means of achieving the goal of
success.
2. Innovation – is the mode in which an individual acknowledges society’s goal, but his/her position within
society hinders him/her from attaining such goal via legal or legitimate means that’s why resorted to
unlawful means to attain culturally approved goals such as economic development, material possessions,
and social status. Example, committing robbery, illegal drug trade, or getting involved in acts of
lawlessness.
3. Retreatism – is a mode in which an individual abandons the goal and the means of achieving success in
life. The individual in this mode reject both goals and the norms of one culture. Example a person becomes
drug addict, alcoholic and eventually commit suicide.
4. Rebellion –rejection of both society’s goals and expected means of achieving them and the formation of
the new society that has a different goals and values. Example, CPP-NPA promoting radical alternatives
to the current social order.
5. Ritualism - occurs when people give up on societal goals but continuously adhere to socially approved
means for achieving them. It is opposite to innovation; a person who cannot afford to acquire luxurious
goods may, nevertheless, seek to preserve his/her reputation by being a law-abiding, religious, and honest
citizen.
TYPOLOGY OF INDIVIDUAL ADAPTATION
MODE OF ADAPTATION CULTURAL GOALS INSTITUTIONAL MEANS
1. Conformity Accepted Accepted
2. Innovation Accepted Rejected
3. Retreatism Rejected Rejected
4. Rebellion Rejected/replaced Rejected/replaced
5. Ritualism Rejected Accepted
C. SYMBOLIC-INTERACTION – states that deviance is learned through interaction with other deviant people
and involves the development of a deviant concept. According to this theory, deviance is a product of specific
face-to-face interaction and not a direct product of social structure.
SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE
1.Differential Association Theory – states that “the more contact a person has with people who commit
deviant acts, the more likely the person is to engage in deviant activities.” Edward Sutherland (1961)
suggested that all human behavior including deviance is learned through association with others,
especially in primary groups (subculture).
2.Self-Esteem Theory – states that people choose deviance or conformity depending on which will do the
most to enhance their self-esteem (Kaplan, et al, 1986). Example: people who do not get reward for their
efforts usually resort to deviant behavior to attract attention. In Filipino, this is termed as “Kulang sa
Pansin” (KSP) or “nagpapapansin.”
3.Control Theory – developed by Travis Hirschi (1969), suggests that deviance arises from particular social
arrangements, specifically the inability of society to control adequately the activities of its members.
Deviance occurs when individuals lack the ties to conventional society (family, school, church, and peer)
necessary to curb their normal tendency to deviance.
4 types of Social Control
i. Attachment – strong social attachments to other people enhance conformity; weak relationships
within the family, peer group, and school, leave people freer to engage in deviance.
ii. Commitment – the higher one’s commitment to legitimate opportunity, the greater the advantages of
conformity.
iii. Involvement – extensive involvement in legitimate activities such as working on a job, going to
school, and completing homework or hobbies inhibits deviance. People with little legitimate
involvement who simply “hangs out” have time and energy for deviant activity.
iv. Belief - people with strong belief in conventional morality and respect to authority has control
tendencies toward deviance; but people who have weak beliefs are more vulnerable to temptations that
deviance presents.
4. LABELING THEORY – states that deviance is a result of being labeled by society. Howard Becker
(1973) popularized this theory by stating that social groups create deviance by making the rules whose
infraction constitutes deviance.
People may also label for involvement in situations completely beyond their control. For example, victims
of violent rape are subjected to deviant labeling because of misguided assumption that they might have
encouraged the offender by wearing seductive dress or in some other way.
5.POWER THEORY – according to Thio, the proponent of this theory, powerful people, especially those
occupying high positions, have greater opportunities for deviance. This explains the fact the corruptions
likely involve people in high positions.
6.CULTURAL TRANSMISSION THEORY – according to Shaw and McKay, when deviance exist in a
sub-culture society, the norms that sub-culture passed on to the peer group and gang during interaction
with newcomers, and as a consequence, they too become deviant, not violating the norms but conforming
to the norms of the sub-culture.
7.SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY – according to this theory, the individual’s deviant behavior is the result
of reward and punishment. This behavior acquired through direct conditioning, imitation, or modeling the
behavior of others. By operant or instrumental conditioning, behavior is strengthened by reward (positive
reinforcement) or the avoidance of punishment (negative reinforcement) and is weaken by loss of rewards.
D. CONFLICT THEORY – according to Richard Quinney, the proponent of this theory, some laws protect
and preserve the capitalists; it further stress that social inequality is the root of numerous social problems
such as deviance and crime. It starts when an influential group imposes their norms and values to less
powerful groups.
Macionis (2007) cited three ways of explaining the social conflict theory:
1. It is the interest of those in charge, rich and powerful, which are reflected in any society’s laws and
norms.
2. The ruling class has enough power to keep themselves from being labeled as deviant; those who are
involved in scandals are rarely arrested or sent to jail.
3. There is a widespread belief that all laws and norms are good and natural. People tend to be concerned
over the fact that laws are not applied equally to all members of society. However, most people rarely
consider whether laws themselves are even fair.
TYPES OF DEVIANCE BEHAVIOR
According to Violation of Social Norms
1.Primary and Secondary Deviance – in the Primary deviance, the individual disagrees with the
prescribed norms but is tolerated by others or his behavior is successfully concealed from others.
Examples:
Cheating in the examination
Throwing pieces of paper in the floor
Throwing garbage on the street in an anti-littering area
Smoking in a non-smoke free area
Urinating in a non-urinating zone.
In secondary deviance, the individual is labeled criminal or deviant because of his previous deviant
behavior. This labeling act is carried on throughout a person’s life – the forces him to commit delinquent
acts.
2.Individual and Group Deviation – the individual deviance, the person commits a deviant behavior of
his own group or sub-culture.
Example:
An individual belonging to a conservative family has illicit relation with someone that is tabooed by
his own group.
In group deviance, the individual may conform to the group’s norm which is in disagreement or in
contradiction to the expectation of the larger society. For example, the member of a group who does not
have a police record is not a man.
FUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE
1.Deviance promotes social unity. It tells what most people expect.
2.It affirms cultural values and norms
3.It clarifies moral boundaries
4.It encourages social change
5.It provides jobs for people (policemen, lawyers, psychologist, etc.)
6.It provides safety value for society.
DYSFUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE
1.Deviance is a source of harm, injuries and deaths
2.It endangers social norms
3.It is expensive
4.It creates disorder in the society
5.Deviance may lead to another deviant act.
SOCIAL CONTROL OF DEVIANCE
Norms serve as a direction or guide in the performance of an act. People conform and observe these norms
because they believe in social order and harmony.
1.FORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL – this refers to a restraint or sanction intended to a potential deviants to
conform to social norms. These may take the forms of arrest by law enforcement agency. The criminal
justice system is the most visible institution of social control.
2.INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL – these are unofficial or casual pressures and restraints for people to
conform. This involves rewards for conformity or compliance, such as a kiss, words of approval, smiles,
clapping of hands, shaking hands. Non-conformity or compliance may take the forms of ridicule,
ostracism, rejection, or even expulsion.
FORMS OF SANCTIONS
1.RETRIBUTION- society punishes offenders through revenge or retaliation.
2.REFORMATION- offenders are not punished but corrected and reformed.
3.SPECIFIC DETERRENCE – scaring the offenders so that they will not think twice about violating the
law again.
4.GENERAL DETERRENCE – scaring the other individuals, not only the offenders, so that they will
follow the rules.
5.PREVENTION – by incapacitating offenders to enjoy their freedom, society will keep them from
committing further crimes against society.
FORMS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS
SOCIAL PROBLEM – refers to the problem that affects human relationships, threatens the continuation of a
civilized society or hinders significant aspirations of many people.
- As a situation affecting a significant number of people that is believed by them and/or by significant
number of others in the society to be source of difficulty or unhappiness.
- Are breakdowns or deviations in social behavior involving a considerable number of people;
- These are problems of moral values because the behavior involved in these breakdowns and deviations
are widely regarded as immoral, illegal and destructive to established social institutions.
- Can be understood in the light of what a society holds to be good or right.
FORMS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IN THE PHILIPPINES
A. DRUG ABUSE – relates to the subjective effects of drugs on the individual. It can simply define as
repeated misuse of drugs.
Classification of Drugs
1. SEDATIVES (depressant) – drugs that exert calming effects on the nervous system. These are
chemicals that relieve anxiety, sedate person, or induce him/her to sleep. Over dosage may depress the
brain’s respiratory control which leads to the cessation of breathing and eventual death (e.g.
barbiturate, tranquilizers, hypnotics, and alcohol).
2. STIMULANTS (uppers or pep pills) – drugs that increase the alertness and physical disposition of an
individual. It reduces hunger and provides the feeling of well-being, mask fatigue and create
exhilaration and state of “euphoria.” Excessive use may lead to insomnia and deep depression (e.g.
amphetamines, cocaine and caffeine).
3. HALLUCINOGENS (psychedelics)- drugs capable of provoking changes of sensation, thinking, self-
awareness, and emotion. It may lead to changes in perception of time and space, as well as delusions
or false beliefs. The result depends on the dosage; it may be a “high trip” or a “bad trip.” Example:
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Marijuana, and mescaline.
4. NARCOTICS – drugs that relieve pain and make one drowsy and relaxed. It taken from injection,
subcutaneously or intravenously. Excessive dosage may cause or even death. Example: opium,
heroine, codeine, and morphine.
Based on reports the most widely abused drug nowadays is methamphetamine hydrochloride better
known as “shabu”- a synthetic drug that has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and can
damage the brain.
In addition, the Philippines ranked number one of the top producers of marijuana.
CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE:
1. Childhood trauma – having been abused when they were young.
2. Family history – imitation on the habits of their parents
3. Escape from reality – to cope with stressful life events and/or traumatic experience.
4. Self-medication – purpose of relieving pain or controlling mental disorders like anxiety or depression.
5. To feel “high” or to get a thrilling experience or sensation – to eliminate boredom; doing death defying
activities such as dangerous stunts, skydiving, avalanche skating, etc.
6. Peer pressure – learn drugs for the sake of “pakikisama” to be accepted by the group.
7. Low self-esteem – to boost self-confidence
COMMON SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Changes in behavioral patterns
2. Changes in appearance
3. Changes in mood
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
a. Establish close and harmonious family relationships.
b. Government should promote the physical well-being of the youth by initiating various sports
programs.
c. Massive campaign of the government through the use of various media.
d. Anti-drug abuse of the barangay council and monitoring the different activities of the members of the
community.
e. Enactment of laws that will limit the access of the citizens to prohibited drugs and paraphernalia.
f. Campaigns of educational institutions to constantly monitor the behavior of the pupils.
g. The church must constantly reminding members about the sanctity of human body.
B. CRIME – crime is one of the forms of deviance, specifically behavior that violates certain criminal
laws. Any person found guilty of violating laws or human rights may be penalized by paying a fine,
suffering imprisonment or capital punishment, or getting banned from entering a particular place.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
1. Crimes against person – involving destruction of life or infliction injury to other person.
Example: murder, homicide, abortion, and physical injury.
2. Crimes against property – taking of another property or destroying other person’s property.
Example: theft, arson, and malicious mischief.
3. Crimes against chastity – involve sexual infidelity, corruption of minors, and other abnormal sexual
behavior. Example: adultery, concubinage, acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, and seduction.
4. Crimes against public morals – considered as offensive to decency, public morals, and good
customs. Example: illegal gambling, grave scandal, vagrancy, prostitution, publication of
pornographic materials, and exhibition or staging of indecent shows.
5. Crimes against the State – involves the taking up of arms against the government or committing an
act that threatens national security. Example: illegal possession of firearms, treason, sedition,
rebellion, and espionage.
CAUSES OF CRIMES
1.Unemployment
2.Poverty
3.Behavioral disorders like kleptomania and pedophilia
4.Political and economic interest
5.Alcoholism and drug addiction
6.Concupiscence (passion) or too much infatuation
7.Product of individual ignorance
8.Individual/group advocacy, political beliefs or aspirations.
9.Desire to gain profits through illegal means (e.g. budol-budol gang)
10. Failure to take precautionary measures, observe proper diligence and prudence that result in death of
another person or in destruction of property (reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, physical injury,
or damage to property).
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
1.Strengthen family relationship
2.Coordinate the efforts of the police and the community, and enhance their cooperation.
3.Foster relationship between the church and the family
4.Weed out the misfits and scalawags in our law enforcement agencies
5.Completely ban smut magazines and other pornographic reading materials.
6.Restrict violent films and sex movies.
C. PROSTITUTION – is the act of submitting one’s self in sexual relations in exchange for money or
other valuable materials.
- At present, women no longer dominate prostitution but also males and they called as “call boys”
who are clients of homosexual males and rich matrons.
- It also found its way among children and they are favorite victims of pedophiles.
TYPES OF PROSTITUTION
1.Streetwalkers – prostitutes found in main avenues and boulevards; pick up girls
2.Bar/hotel prostitutes – found in KTV bars, night clubs, videoke bars, massage parlors, and hotel lobbies.
3.Escort services/ call girls or boys- these prostitutes work on an outcall basis and rely on referral and
screening by an agent; has the highest fees.
4.House or brothel prostitutes – these are prostitutes who are legally allowed to practice their profession
(non-existent in the Philippines).
5.Other prostitutes - found in beaches, plazas, and parks; primary targets are foreigner; also there are
student-prostitutes who offer services in order to finance education especially during enrolment and
examination periods.
CAUSES OF PROSTITUTION
The commercialized prostitution is not the root of the problem but only a symptom of the basic structural
problem in society (Moselina and Rosales, 1983). It is the off shoot of the imbalance development of the rural
and urban areas resulting on a wide disparity of access to jobs and wealth.
1.POVERTY – women go into prostitution either voluntarily and involuntarily.
2.ACCULTURATION – is basic for the existence and proliferation of prostitution, particularly in poor
countries in which exposure to western societies, liberates young women from their demureness and
feminity that further exacerbated by poverty.
3.TOURISM – the influx of tourists to the country and the organized sex tours catering the foreigners
resulting in the proliferation of houses of prostitutions and sex dens.
