Film Worksheet: The Outsiders Purpose And Design

Film Worksheet The Outsiderspurpose This Assignment Is Designed Fo

This assignment requires students to analyze the film The Outsiders from a sociological perspective by defining deviance, identifying examples of deviant behavior not considered criminal, and applying two sociological crime theories to the film’s context. Students are expected to respond fully in complete sentences, use descriptive subheadings, and submit a well-structured paper adhering to academic standards and deadlines.

Paper For Above instruction

Analyzing The Outsiders through a sociological lens involves understanding the concept of deviance, examining non-criminal deviant behaviors depicted in the film, and applying relevant crime theories to understand the characters’ actions and societal reactions. This approach unveils how societal norms and structural factors influence behavior, and how different theories help explain deviance beyond criminal acts.

Deviance

Sociologically, deviance refers to behaviors, beliefs, or characteristics that violate societal norms and elicit social reactions. It is context-dependent and varies across cultures, time periods, and social groups. Deviance may include actions that are not necessarily criminal but still deviate from expected social standards. For example, in The Outsiders, the behaviors and attitudes of certain characters, such as Ponyboy's defiance of authority or the Greasers' camaraderie, reflect deviance from mainstream social expectations. These behaviors challenge societal norms about conformity, respectability, and social order but are not inherently criminal. For instance, Ponyboy's rebellious attitude and association with delinquent friends may be viewed as deviant but not criminal. Furthermore, acts such as fights and defiance of authority figure norms display social non-conformity without necessarily qualifying as illegal activity, illustrating sociological deviance as distinct from criminal conduct.

Crime Theories

To understand the behaviors of characters in The Outsiders, two sociological crime theories are particularly useful: Merton’s Strain Theory and Hirschi’s Social Control Theory. Each provides a framework for analyzing why individuals engage in deviant behaviors and how social control mechanisms influence conformity.

Merton’s Strain Theory

Merton's Strain Theory posits that society sets culturally approved goals and defines acceptable means to achieve them. When individuals face a discrepancy between these goals and the means available to attain them, they experience strain or pressure, which may lead to deviance or criminal behavior. In The Outsiders, Ponyboy and his friends experience strain due to their lower socioeconomic status, which limits their access to opportunities and mainstream avenues for success. This economic deprivation and social marginalization contribute to their involvement in rebellious and sometimes criminal activities, such as gang fights. For example, the Greasers' participation in fights with the Socs can be seen as a response to societal strain—an attempt to assert their identity and gain respect in a society that marginalizes them. Merton’s theory thus explains how societal structure and economic hardship create pressure that fosters deviant behaviors among marginalized youth.

Hirschi’s Social Control Theory

Hirschi’s Social Control Theory suggests that strong social bonds and attachment to societal institutions (family, school, peers) inhibit deviant behavior. When these bonds are weak or broken, individuals are more likely to engage in deviance. In the film, Ponyboy’s close relationship with his brothers and his school attachments serve as bonds that may prevent him from engaging in more serious delinquency. However, characters like Johnny and Dally exhibit weakened social bonds—Johnny, due to neglectful parenting, and Dally, because of his rebellious lifestyle—making them more susceptible to deviant acts, such as participating in fights or criminal acts. For example, Johnny’s troubled background and lack of familial support contribute to his vulnerability to peer pressure and his participation in violent acts, consistent with Hirschi’s theory. This highlights how the strength or weakness of social bonds influences the likelihood of deviance within a societal context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, analyzing The Outsiders through the lens of sociological theories like Merton’s Strain Theory and Hirschi’s Social Control Theory offers insight into the structural and social factors influencing adolescent behavior. The characters’ actions can be interpreted as responses to societal pressures, economic hardship, and varying degrees of social attachment. Recognizing these influences underscores the importance of addressing structural inequalities and strengthening social bonds to reduce deviant behaviors and support positive youth development. This analysis not only enhances understanding of the characters’ motivations but also emphasizes the relevance of sociological perspectives in studying juvenile deviance and social conformity.

References

• Cloward, R., & Ohlin, L. (1960). Delinquency and Opportunity. Free Press.
• Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
• Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682.
• Akers, R. L. (2011). Downward Spiral: Social Learning and the Breakdown of Self-Control. Routledge.
• Bursik, R. J., & Grasmick, H. G. (1993). Neighborhoods and Crime: The Dimensions of Effective Community Control. Lexington Books.
• Farrington, D. P., & Welsh, B. C. (2007). Saving Children from Crime: A Comprehensive Approach. Routledge.
• Laub, J. H., & Sampson, R. J. (2003). Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives: Delinquent Boys to Age 70. Harvard University Press.
• Schwartz, R. (1989). Culture and Deviance in Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 18(3), 193-206.
• Agnew, R. (2006). Pressures, Opportunities, and Crime. In D. J. Duffee & S. P. Tholds (Eds.), Handbook of Criminological Theory (pp. 50–78). Sage Publications.
• Agnew, R. (2013). Why Do Youths Commit Delinquent Acts? An Extension and Test of General Strain Theory. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(3), 370–389.