Discussion 3
The class is Deviant Behavior Module 3
Question(s): Would you consider socially and self-destructive behaviors discussed in this section as a sociologically anomic response to rapidly changing society?
In this section we explore diverse lifestyles defined as heterosexual deviance. Critically interpreted, the textbook seems to suggest that any sexual activity not for procreation consensually between a married man and woman is potentially deviant. Philosophically keep in mind that heterosexual dominance defines the contemporary status quo and represents a patriarchal society. Further, human sexuality is a fundamental natural expression of individuality so to impose expectant standards, and to define and control the sexual/procreative capacities of another is tantamount to imposing power and control over another individual (linking to the discussion on rape—that is why it is an expression of power and dominion and not so much passion as generally assumed). In addition, any behavior outside the dominant currently conservative mainstream social norms– that could be construed as a challenge to the status quo will be defined and socially responded to as deviant including homosexuality as emphasized in the lecture.
Outside of sexual contexts there are endless ways of scientifically and socially singling-out particular behaviors and stigmatizing them as deviant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc2R4UGmGx8 ;
thus stigmatization can be both functionally unifying for society as well as destructive process of excluding stigmatized individuals as discussed in the videos beginning with http://wn.com/social_stigma “Stigma: social and Self” describing the dynamics of stigmatization. The short explanations also provide description to the affects that social ascription, labeling, and derived self-definitions can influence social experiences significantly in terms of being socially included or marginalized—a person’s ascribed social place. Remember as humans we are social animals and have an intrinsic need to belong. Some of us even go deviant just for the sake of belonging especially when we consider the often misunderstood reasoning that underscores behaviors such as cutting http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/video/self-cutting-trend-apparent-on-youtube-12970972 as self-destruction and not a teenage means of coping with the physical and psychological processes of change they are undergoing.
The concept of sociological intersectionality as discussed by Patricia Collins describes how multiple categories’ of description (e.g., race, class, and gender, typically but can become an intersection of other socially defined characteristics too) serve to define who a person is and what type of behaviors to expect from them (The article is online at http://uk.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/13299_Chapter_16_Web_Byte_Patricia_Hill_Collins.pdf ). Intersectional descriptions are help to illustrate how the basis of stigmatization and potential social exclusion(s) are symbolically fluid as any combination of categories can be contextualized to socially define, stigmatize, and exclude anyone.
Critically described, in the contemporary market and economic driven modern society there is the strong potential for what is marginal and deviant to become tolerated if there is profitability that can be derived. Keep in mind the class implications in the videos and readings in the way that prostitution is socially construed in wealthy vs non-wealthy countries. The video of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz7Yi4v0cuo provides a short happy report on how other countries utilize vice industries to promote tourism. Globally we are dealing with an explosion in human trafficking as illustrated in the video http://video.pbs.org/video/2365402307/ on child sex trafficking that brutally illustrates the sad reality of modern prostitution that many consider. Keep in mind that in the contemporary ISIL , drug cartels, and international networks of human smugglers derive profits from trade in sex slaves as they funnel men, women, and children to centers of industry, trade, and tourism so that workers and tourists. The video also provides some insight into why combatting human trafficking is so difficult especially because of the huge profits that can be made as demand increases.
In our society and culture we are currently dealing with a shift in the social position that drug use is undergoing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yUMxJ0f_-A , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq_ZdsEhD1o , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro4nJH9RkeE , Despite the debating perspectives for and against drug use and regulation neither video seems to mention the structural and cultural sources of drug use as method of coping with, or avoiding the demands, responsibilities, and obligations of modern society. Consistently the sources of the problem that are prioritized in the mainstream cultural narrative and by health officials are misdirected youth and the easy availability of illicit drugs. Adults and other professionals also consume illicit drugs.
Despite the potential dangers to social health it seems as if the road of transition from the margins to the mainstream is paved and motivated by profits and public demand. When you watch the videos do proceed to read the submitted commentaries.
Question(s): Would you consider socially and self-destructive behaviors discussed in this section as a sociologically anomic response to rapidly changing society?
