Assignment 2: The Application Paper Due Wednesday, January 2

Assignment 2 The Application Paperbywednesday January 23 2013 Writ

Describe an example of a television program that you believe clearly displays social deviance, and explain why you specifically selected it. In this television program, how are people “labeled” as socially deviating from the expected social norms, and who does this labeling? Analyze the deviance, using terms such as primary deviance, secondary deviance, retrospective labeling, and stigma. Apply Durkheim’s four functions of deviance to the deviant actions in the television program. What purpose(s) does the deviance play?

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Paper For Above instruction

Social deviance, the violation of norms that provokes a reaction from others, can be vividly illustrated through popular media, particularly television. An exemplary program that depicts social deviance is the television series “Breaking Bad,” which portrays the transformation of Walter White from a high school chemistry teacher to a methamphetamine manufacturer and dealer. This show is chosen because it vividly highlights the processes of social labeling, the categorization of deviant behavior, and societal reactions that reinforce deviance, making it a compelling case study for sociological analysis.

Within “Breaking Bad,” characters such as Walter White and his associate Jesse Pinkman are labeled as deviant due to their involvement in illegal drug manufacturing and distribution. The labeling is primarily performed by law enforcement authorities, the criminal justice system, and societal perceptions. For instance, when Walter begins his illegal enterprise, he is scrutinized, stigmatized, and ostracized by community members. The media and law enforcement classify his actions as criminal, reinforcing his deviant label. Furthermore, his wife, Skyler, and his brother-in-law Hank (a DEA agent) serve as agents of societal labeling, whether explicitly or implicitly, reinforcing how societal institutions participate in defining deviance.

Analyzing this portrayal of deviance involves applying various sociological concepts. Primary deviance refers to initial acts of rule-breaking; in the series, Walter's decision to manufacture meth can be seen as primary deviance—an individual response to his financial and health crises. As he continues, secondary deviance occurs when societal reactions to his initial deviance lead to further deviant behavior; for Walter, his criminal label intensifies as he adopts a more ruthless persona, which in turn influences his subsequent actions. Retrospective labeling is evident in how societal perceptions of Walter change over time; initially seen as a desperate family man, he is later viewed as a dangerous criminal, which alters his self-identity and behavior. Stigma manifests through the social disapproval and ostracism he faces, which can perpetuate his criminal activities due to outsider status and marginalization.

Durkheim’s four functions of deviance—clarification of norms, reaffirmation of norms, social cohesion, and social change—are all reflected in the context of “Breaking Bad.” Firstly, deviance clarifies societal norms; the public's outrage at Walter’s actions underscores the boundaries of acceptable behavior in society. Secondly, it reaffirms norms by prompting societal condemnation, reinforcing the moral boundaries that distinguish lawful behavior from deviance. Thirdly, the series depicts social cohesion as communities unite in their condemnation of drug manufacturing, demonstrating how shared perceptions of deviance reinforce social bonds. Lastly, deviance can serve as a catalyst for social change. In the series, Walter’s criminal activity and its consequences provoke discussions about morality, legality, and societal failure, potentially leading to broader societal reflection and policy change regarding drug laws.

Overall, “Breaking Bad” exemplifies how deviance functions within a society, illustrating reactions of labeling, societal responses, and the reinforcing or challenging of norms. The series demonstrates how deviant acts serve not only to highlight normative boundaries but also to provoke societal responses that can strengthen social cohesion or catalyze change, embodying Durkheim’s four functions of deviance.

References

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