Criticisms

• Durkheim does not quantify the level of crime that is beneficial for society
• Functionalists explain the existence of crime in terms of its supposed function but crime is never done with the intention of strengthening society
• Ignores the effects of crime on the individual rather than the whole of society. crime is 'functional for whom?'
• Crime does not just support solidarity. It can also cause a lack of social cohesion such as women staying at home at night from fear