This sense of unity strengthens the community. When a serious crime happens, like a murder, people often come together to denounce the crime and the criminal. Moreover, public anger against criminal behaviour helps to strengthen social solidarity. but on this very account is useful, for the conditions to which it is bound are themselves indispensable to the normal evolution of morality and law (Durkheim, 1895, 101). It is linked to the basic conditions of social life. For instance, rates of theft could suggest rising economic hardship, and increasing violence could suggest the need for schools to stress non-violent values more. These behaviours can highlight societal issues or aspects of society that are not functioning well. In this imaginary ‘community of saints,’ everyday actions like sneezing or misspeaking might be considered major crimes.ĭurkheim further argued that crime and deviant behaviour are necessary for maintaining social order. In it crime as such will be unknown, but faults that appear venial to the ordinary person will arouse the same scandal as does normal crime in ordinary consciences (Durkheim, 1895, p, 100). Imagine a community of saints in an exemplary and perfect monastery. Durkheim illustrates this with the example of a ‘community of saints.’ In such a community where everyone tries to adhere perfectly to social norms, minor infractions could be considered as deviant or even criminal. However, there will always be some individuals whose behaviour deviates from these norms and values. 99).ĭurkheim believed that shared norms and values are necessary for the ongoing survival of any society. …crime is normal because it is completely impossible for any society entirely free of it to exist (Durkheim, 1895, p. Yet everywhere and always there have been men who have conducted themselves in such a way as to bring down punishment upon their heads. There is not one in which criminality does not exist, although it changes in form and the actions which are termed criminal are not everywhere the same. Durkheim suggested that crime is both a normal and functional part of all societies.Ĭrime is not only observed in most societies of a particular species, but in all societies of all types. While many may view crime and deviance as harmful, functionalists see them as contributing to social order and cohesion.Ī significant part of functionalist theory is influenced by the work of Émile Durkheim. According to functionalists, crime and deviance are not out of the ordinary, but are in fact integral parts of a healthy society. They emphasise the role that crime and deviance play in maintaining social stability and unity. Merton, were interested in how social institutions uphold societal norms and values.įunctionalists maintain that crime and deviance are a normal part of any society and can serve useful functions. Key thinkers in this field, including Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert K. They look at how these institutions serve functions for society, such as preparing the workforce, socializing children, and upholding social order. Key areas of focus for functionalist theories are the roles of social institutions such as schools, families, and the media. Advocates of functionalism argue that society is a complex system of interrelated parts, where each part plays a role in maintaining the stability of the entire system. Functionalist Views of Crime and Devianceįunctionalism is a macro-level sociological perspective that seeks to understand how different aspects of society work together as a whole.
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