Deviance, Crime, and Control: Beyond the Straight and Narrow

Deviance, Crime, and Control: Beyond the Straight and Narrow, second edition, assumes that deviance is normal behavior and conformity is socially constructed. The 'discovery' of deviant behavior indicates society's degree of cohesion, tolerance, and control over individuals. The benchmarks for what constitutes 'deviance' are in a constant state of change. This book studies contemporary notions and forms of deviance and control against the backdrop of history. In addition, the author takes a multi-paradigm approach and discusses deviance and conformity from functionalist, conflict, social constructionist/symbolic interactionist, feminist, and postmodern perspectives. Using health and well-being as a measure of tight social control, this text focuses on the outcomes of deviance. Emphasizing the need to find new solutions to social problems, Deviance, Crime, and Control provides students with a fresh perspective.