Assignment 8: Constructing Difference: Social Deviance

Deviance is described as “behavior, ideas, or attributes of an individual or group that some people in society find offensive” (Newman, 273). Often times, the acts and behaviors of deviants are criminalized, further emphasizing the definition of deviant in any given society. In seeing the deviant publicly shamed, put on trial, medicated, or even hospitalized, the average American is reminded to act within the boundaries of societal norms.

One sociological theory for grappling with the subject of deviance is the labeling theory. Advocates of the theory suggest that “deviance is the consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an offender” (Newman, 273). In punishing drug lords, serial killers, pedophiles, and thieves, law enforcement agencies have taken the first step in applying a new identity to these individuals, that of a deviant. Society, on a larger scale, however, is responsible for making the identity stick.

Figure 1: "Miracle" weight loss pill -
a quick solution for American "fixers"
forbes.com

In publicly displaying deviants being punished for their acts, usually dramatized in the form of popular media, a binary picture is framed: “us” vs “them.” American citizens follow the rules. Those who do not, can not be accepted in society. Let's face it, America is a “fix-it” society, and in this fast-paced environment, the quicker the solution the better (figure 1). If somebody isn't living their life according to the norms and values established in this society, they are imprisoned. If somebody is behaving in a way unacceptable to the general public, they are medicated. The divide between “us” and “them” grows stronger with each publicized case, and subconsciously reminds the average American of what constitutes normal behavior.

Like most black and white divides, the “us” / “them” binary is dangerous, often inaccurate, and serves the purpose of a powerful class of people. Human beings are too unique to be categorized into two boxes. Even the definitions of male and female in the realm of sex and gender cannot account for a  significant percentage of the population. When limited to two categories we are forced to make generalizations, which sometimes become stereotypical.

Furthermore, the “us” making decisions about what constitutes a deviant being, and how we should react to them is left to those with relative power in society, including doctors, police, lawyers, and policy makers. Because of their power, individuals in such positions are often considered immune to deviant behavior, despite the fact that individuals in such positions are human, and deviance occurs. What is most important to remember is that when deviants emerge in this class of society, the coverage of their actions differs tremendously from, say, a strung out meth addict. In some cases, their actions are not even publicized, with the intent of protecting the “us” / “them” division which our society relies upon for order. Most notably, it is highly likely that the labeling theory won't even come into play in such cases, and even if it does, the label is less likely to stick. For members of such powerful institutions, deviant behaviors are considered one time slip ups, quickly forgiven.

Figure 2: A public display of deviance
 in Redwood City, CA, 2004.
Paul Sakuma, AP

Perhaps the most important function of the “us” / “them” binary is to produce a sense of fear in citizens.  In making drug lords, serial killers, pedophiles, and thieves the subject of news coverage, they are often framed in ways which make them seem less than human. For example, Scott Peterson, charged for murdering his wife and unborn son in 2004 was described by his prosecutor as “the worst kind of monster,” a statement which was later published in the New York Times (Murphy, 2004). Depictions of deviant Peterson as monster were reinforced in magazines and on billboards around the country (Figure 2). Such statements serve two functions with both rely on fear as an emotion. The first is to evoke fear of the “other,” i.e. the deviants in society, and the second is to reinforce acceptable behaviors by invoking fear of the punishments associated with deviance.

Edward Said (1935 - 2003)
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg

In writing about the “us” / “them” division regarding sociological deviance, I am reminded of the  colonialist narratives discussed by Edward Said in Orientalism (1978). Said's argument can indeed be used as a paradigm to fit the current attitude towards deviants in American society. Said's criticism of orientalism begins with the presentation of an “us” vs. “them” binary, namely, the occident vs. the orient, East vs. West, or civilized vs. uncivilized. In order to reinforce the idea of an “other,” Said explains that orientalists shaped the orient in part by placing a label on their collective identity, regardless of how inaccurate it was. Furthermore, he suggests that such labels justified the colonization of the orient, shifting power out of the hands of the “other.” Though quite different in scope, the relationship between orient and occident depicted by Said is remarkably similar to that between social deviants and norm-conforming citizens in the US.

Perhaps we can learn from Said's critique of orientalism, and apply it to the field of sociology. How would a critical analysis change our perspective on social deviance and the construction of difference within America? In the end, we are all human beings, subject to nature, nurture, and societal forces. Like orientalism, deviance is a social construct. Keeping this in mind, thus engaging our sociological imaginations, we can be more aware of our participation in the labeling process of “deviant” behavior.

Sources:
Newman, David (2012). Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life: 9th Edition. SAGE Publications. 

Said, Edward (1978). On Orientalism. New York: Vintage. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/national/10peterson.html?ref=scottpeterson&_r=0
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/08/15/dr-oz-battling-to-get-his-face-off-miracle-weight-loss-pill-ads/
Sakuma, AP: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4253292/ns/msnbc-deborah_norville_tonight/t/scott-peterson-billboard/#.UPQkK29X2So
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/710/cu4.htm

If you're interested in learning more about Edward Said's work, I encourage you to check out the 1998 film, On Orientalism, on YouTube: