Structural-functional perspective compares society with organism, which states that, the parts of society works together alike the parts of organism. Emile Durkheim belong to structural-functional school of thought according to him, deviance is healthy for the functioning of society. Furthermore, he explained the functions of deviance in a society. Which are as follow, affirming cultural norms and values, specifying moral boundaries, promote solidarity and encouraging social change.
Functions of Deviance
Affirming Cultural Norms and Values
Deviance simplify the cultural norms of society. Which aid the understanding of an individual about good and bad behaviors, in a society. If an individual behavior is deviant in a society other members of society will resent him for his wrong behavior, which will inform other uninformed members that, such behavior is unacceptable in a society. Deviance sets an example for the members of the group that, how an individual ought to behave and how an individual ought not to behave in society.
Specifying Moral Boundaries
Deviance specify the moral boundaries in a society. When an individual is caught doing immoral activity, he is punished for his wrong doing in a society. Deviant behavior lead to punishment and resentment of other members in a society. Punishment for a crime sends the message to other members that, if an individual cross the moral boundaries, he will suffer the same fate. Which helps in maintaining social control.
Promote Solidarity
Deviance promote solidarity among the individuals in a society. When members of society witness the deviant behavior, they become unify against the common enemy, which increase the sense of solidarity among the individuals. For example, world trade center 9/11 incident and Pearl Harbor incident unified the US nation against the common enemy of terrorism and resented the incidents with one voice. Due to which culprit suffer a severe punishment in the form of war.
Encourage Social Change
Deviance plays vital role in social change process. Each society evolves with the passage of time, as the time passes individuals resent some old norms which they think are unfair to them, this deviant behavior of denouncing societal norms lead to the social change. For example women’s were not allowed to study and work in early 19th century, women unified together and created organizations to allow them to study and work and give them rights alike men. Such deviance lead to the social change, today every women has a right to seek education and work with men shoulder to shoulder.
