crime and deviance

• crime

  a action or behaviour that goes against the legalisation of a particular country state
• deviance

  actions which go against the norms and values of a society. These may not be against the law but are frowned upon by most in society
• social construction

  a social phenomena which is not naturally occurring but created by the society in which it is found
• ways crime and deviance is socially constructed:

  • historically
  • contextually
  • culturally
  • age
• ways crime and deviance is socially constructed:

  HISTORICALLY

  • criminal action and deviant behaviour changes over time. What was once acceptable may become illegal/deviant and what was once deviant/illegal may become acceptable

  Homosexuality - deviant and illegal -> acceptable
• ways crime and deviance is socially constructed:

  CONTEXTUALLY

  • behaviours that are acceptable in certain situations would not be in others

  Bikini on the beach Vs bikini in centre of town
• ways crime and deviance is socially constructed:

  CULTURALLY

  • what is considered acceptable or rude varies depending on the culture you are in

  Arab nations - eating with your left hand is rude
• ways crime and deviance is socially constructed:

  AGE

  • some behaviours are acceptable from certain age groups and some activities are illegal for some age groups

  Age restrictions on certain products