Soc 220 Social Deviance Worksheet Scoring Guide ✓ Solved

Soc 220 Social Deviance Worksheet Scoring Guide Grading

Explain how social deviance contributes to social problems.

Explain how social deviance perpetuates the social problem you selected on a micro and macro level.

Use the GCU library and identify an actual solution to the problem of social deviance. Summarize the solution you identified and compare it to historical solutions proposed in the past.

Cite one to three scholarly sources from the GCU Library.

Paper For Above Instructions

Social deviance plays a significant role in shaping societal dynamics and contributes to various social problems. The term "social deviance" refers to behaviors, beliefs, or conditions that deviate from societal norms. These deviant behaviors can lead to social problems such as crime, homelessness, and substance abuse, creating ripples that affect individuals and communities alike.

At the micro level, social deviance can severely impact individuals and families. For instance, when someone engages in criminal behavior, it contributes to family distress, stigmatization, and social isolation. Families of deviant individuals often face social stigma, financial strain, and emotional distress, which exacerbates their already challenging circumstances (Lilly et al., 2017). Furthermore, children from families affected by deviance may struggle to achieve educational and economic stability, contributing to a cycle of poverty and social issues in their communities (Sampson & Wilson, 2019).

On a macro level, social deviance can perpetuate systemic social problems. For example, widespread drug abuse can lead to increased healthcare costs, criminal justice expenditures, and societal destabilization. Deviant behaviors can also influence public policy; when a particular behavior becomes widespread, it often leads to increased regulation and law enforcement efforts, which can further alienate marginalized communities (Becker, 1963). Thus, social deviance can create a feedback loop where the response to deviance reinforces the very social issues it seeks to eliminate.

To address these issues, it's essential to research and implement effective solutions. One actual solution identified through the GCU library is the implementation of harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs and safe consumption sites for drug users. These programs aim to reduce the negative health outcomes associated with drug use while connecting individuals to resources such as rehabilitation and mental health services (Hafford-Letchfield et al., 2018). Harm reduction strategies have proven effective in countries like Canada and Australia, where they have helped lower rates of HIV and overdose deaths (Mathers et al., 2010).

Comparing this solution to historical approaches, such as the "war on drugs" initiated in the 1980s, reveals fundamental differences in efficacy and societal impact. The war on drugs focused primarily on criminalization and punishment, often disproportionately affecting marginalized communities without addressing the root causes of addiction (Alexander, 2010). In contrast, harm reduction prioritizes public health and rehabilitation, showcasing how modern approaches to social deviance can be more beneficial than punitive measures.

In essence, understanding the contributions of social deviance to social problems is crucial for developing effective solutions. By acknowledging the micro and macro levels of social deviance, we can better understand the dynamics at play in our society and work towards creating interventions that not only address the symptoms of deviance but also its underlying causes. The shift towards harm reduction represents a progressive step in addressing social problems stemming from deviance, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for compassionate and effective solutions.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Free Press.
• Hafford-Letchfield, T., et al. (2018). Using harm reduction to improve health outcomes among drug users: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Use.
• Lilly, R. J., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2017). Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences. Sage Publications.
• Mathers, B. M., et al. (2010). Global Epidemiology of Injecting Drug Use and HIV among People Who Inject Drugs: A Systematic Review. The Lancet.
• Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (2019). Toward a Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality. In Crime and Inequality. Stanford University Press.