To discuss whether certain behaviors are deviant—that is, straying from an acceptable norm—may imply that there is a clear arbiter of “normal.” But is human society that rigid? Or is society’s perception of “normal” fluid and more like a continuum? If deviant is a malleable term, then so too may be normal—so what would it mean to try to actually eliminate deviance?
consider the plausibility and implications of eliminating deviance, and perhaps thereby eliminating crime.
Edwards, M. A. (2006). Law and the parameters of acceptable deviance. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 97(1), 49–100.
Curra, J. O. (2016). The relativity of deviance (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
The Relativity of Deviance, 4th Edition by Curra, J. Copyright 2016 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
