Deviance as a Method of Coping

Abstract

A deviant person is one who does something we would not do. Thus defined, deviance is subjective. But not all deviant conduct is culturally relative. Acts malum in se such as rape, murder, and assault are almost universally considered to be crimes. Noncriminal deviance, however, frequently exists more in the eye of the beholder than in the real world.

Deviant conduct may be divided into three categories: crime, sin, and poor taste. Crime refers to those acts which are objectively and measurably harmful to the community and which cannot be tolerated by any society that wishes to continue as a stable organism. Violent crimes against the person and serious property crimes fall into this category. Sin refers to those actions which were originally prohibited by the dominant religion or religions of the community and which at various times may have been incorporated into secular law. Prostitution, gambling, drug use, alcohol consumption, and obscenity are examples of conduct that does no measurable damage to an unwilling victim; when such conduct breaks the law, it is frequently referred to as victimless crime. Poor taste refers to a whole host of social practices which are unpleasant and abrasive and which may or may not be symbolic of conduct that society may wish to prohibit. Overt public sexual practices, peculiar methods of dress, and the wearing of unpopular political symbols all fall into this category.

Most deviants recognize that their conduct is personally destructive and may be socially harmful as well. Yet they continue to deviate from the socially prescribed norms because this conduct enables them to cope with the stresses that a highly organized society imposes on their personalities. Many forms of deviant conduct are tension relievers. Some create a short-lived euphoria, and some are acts of rebellion against socially pre scribed norms impossible to reach.

In coping with deviance society must first look at what the deviant is attempting to tell us through his conduct. If other ways of relieving stress can be provided for him, he can be persuaded to conform. If he cannot conform and his conduct is violent, we must physically restrain him; if he is nonconforming and nonviolent, we should let him alone.