Crime and deviance to all different degrees is a normal part of our society. However, deviance varies according to cultural norms. No thought or action is inherently deviant, it is only seen in that way in relation to a societies particular norms. What is considered deviant in one society may be socially acceptable in another. For example, I had a friend who went on vacation to Texas and Stated that it is legal to consume alcohol in a car. This may be legal in Texas but is greatly frowned upon and highly illegal in most other States. Gambling is another act that is only legal in certain States, elsewhere gambling is illegal. These examples seem understandable but if you explore other countries of the world you will find that normal everyday acts that we don't think twice about, are considered illegal. In Albania, it is a criminal act to publicly display religious faith such as the act or "crossing" ones self, and in Singapore people are arrested for selling chewing gum. So, as you can see any act can be considered deviance depending upon Society's cultural norms.

The Structural - Functional Paradigm as studied by Emile Durkheim looks at deviance as a necessity.

Kappeler, V.E., Sluder, R.D., &Alpert, G.P. (1998). Forces of Deviance: Understanding the Dark Side of Policing. Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. p 11-15,20.

Macionis, J.J. (1998). Society: The Basics. New Jersey: Prentice - Hall, Inc. p 130-132.

Deviance weather we like it or not is inevitable in all societies. However, these acts of deviance can actually encourage social change. Most people prefer socially acceptable behavior and attitudes to those that oppose societies norms. Most societies react to deviance, especially when it is serious, with outrage. These acts or deviance can actually shape a society and push for change. When people view a certain situation as deviant, they then try to look for alternatives to the status quo. For instance, drug dealers are taking over many cities and corrupting the lives of adolescents by leading them in the wrong direction. Many societies realize this and have tried to set up various programs as alternatives to recreational drug use. After school programs, mentor groups, guest speakers, and, and commercials all push for change. These programs along with the help of the police really help deter society from turning to drug use.

Social injury caused by powerful people is less likely to be considered criminal that social injury caused by people of high social positions in the course of their occupations, provoke little public reaction (Bradshaw & Wallace, 1996). Because white - collar crimes, such as embezzlement, business fraud, and bribery, do not involve any actual physical harm, the public usually voices less concern than if it was street crime. People seem to feel that if a gun is not involved, it is of no concern to the public. Most white - collar crime typically ends up in a civil trial is not labeled by society as a criminal. One account shows that only four in ten embezzlers convicted in the U.S. District Court System spent a single day in prison; most were placed on probation (Bradshaw and Wallace, 1996).

Norms and values of occupational groups also differ. Behavior that may be considered or looked upon as deviant behavior in one occupation may be considered perfectly normal behavior in another. The police occupation group often subscribes to values that depart drasti

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