Defining the Difference: Deviance vs. Crime in Society

Abstract

Module 1 Reflection Journal: Crime and Deviance According to Little & Little (2016), a deviant behaviour is an action that violates social norms ranging from informal social rules to formal societal regulations. These acts do not violate any set legal laws and for such reasons not punishable through judicial system. Such acts include wearing inappropriate clothing at church, excessive alcohol use, speaking loud during a theatre operation, walking nude in public places, farting in public or a senior male leader wearing a dress or suggestive female wear to the office. On the other hand, a criminal behaviour is an act that violates the set laws by the judicial system (Regalado, Timmer & Jawaid, 2022). Criminal acts are punishable by law. Law enforcers’ arrests perpetrators of criminal arrest to ensure they remain responsible for their actions. These acts include but not limited to Rape, housebreaking, prostitution, murder, shoplifting and burglary among others. Deviant are acts that the society can consider as socially and morally unacceptable based on the set formal and informal societal rules. These acts go against social expectations but do not violate any set legal laws. The law is very categorical on what to expect from the society on certain issues and thus ignorance of such laws has no defence. However, when the same law says nothing about an issue, it means that there are no set legal restrictions governing such issues thus remain un-punishable regardless of its unethical nature. For example, the society expects people to dress properly while attending churches. However, it does not specify the type of dressing code and what would happen if people do not dress accordingly. On the other hand, there are no set legal rules that dictates how followers should dress thus regardless of their dressing codes, they can only endure shame or critics but the society cannot punish them. It is also ethical to dress while walking in public. However, even while in sane state of mind and decide to walk naked in public,...