Ms-13
Johnesha Reed
Reflection #2
2-28-13
Deviance, Crime, and MS-13 Root of All Evil I do believe that deviance is socially constructed. Very much socially constructed even within a single country, and single time, different subgroups may consider certain actions as "normal" while others outside that group may consider the activity as deviant. A good illustration of this is what young people consider to be 'ok' and not 'ok' compared with what older people think.Variation geographically, variation between classes, between cultural groups (tribal, religious etc.) and variation in time within such groups all show variation in what is considered normal, and what has a strong taboo. Put a little simplistically 'Law' represents a codification of acceptable and taboo behaviors. It usually reflects a combination of tradition and the interests and views of the dominant social groupings within a society. So the powerful have more influence in deciding what is proscribed and approved than the less powerful. While it may be argued that killing, theft, rape etc are commonly proscribed behaviors across many cultures and many times, there are plenty of exceptions,I would agree that the "Realist" perspective has much more going for it. While we might have philosophical problems in providing an ultimate justification for the root of decisions on what tests we use to determine what is moral and I believe this is a crucial point in determining what is classified "Deviant" and what is the basis of what is proscribed by Law "Harm" might be a good criteria to consider. I can also say that I I believe that crime and deviance are centered on the individual's misalignment with their self. Because there is not really any such thing as a group, as everyone is their own being. Therefore, it is each person's responsibility to take care of their self, and therefore, crime and deviance are not socially-constructed. It happens on an individual basis. And I believe crimes and deviances differ in
Reflection #2
2-28-13
Deviance, Crime, and MS-13 Root of All Evil I do believe that deviance is socially constructed. Very much socially constructed even within a single country, and single time, different subgroups may consider certain actions as "normal" while others outside that group may consider the activity as deviant. A good illustration of this is what young people consider to be 'ok' and not 'ok' compared with what older people think.Variation geographically, variation between classes, between cultural groups (tribal, religious etc.) and variation in time within such groups all show variation in what is considered normal, and what has a strong taboo. Put a little simplistically 'Law' represents a codification of acceptable and taboo behaviors. It usually reflects a combination of tradition and the interests and views of the dominant social groupings within a society. So the powerful have more influence in deciding what is proscribed and approved than the less powerful. While it may be argued that killing, theft, rape etc are commonly proscribed behaviors across many cultures and many times, there are plenty of exceptions,I would agree that the "Realist" perspective has much more going for it. While we might have philosophical problems in providing an ultimate justification for the root of decisions on what tests we use to determine what is moral and I believe this is a crucial point in determining what is classified "Deviant" and what is the basis of what is proscribed by Law "Harm" might be a good criteria to consider. I can also say that I I believe that crime and deviance are centered on the individual's misalignment with their self. Because there is not really any such thing as a group, as everyone is their own being. Therefore, it is each person's responsibility to take care of their self, and therefore, crime and deviance are not socially-constructed. It happens on an individual basis. And I believe crimes and deviances differ in