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Reaction Deviant Behavior

In: Social Issues

Submitted By lruther1
Words 299
Pages 2
In Chapter 1: Images of Deviance, Stephen Prohl explains how we see deviance as always the "bad guy." Which I know I personally did until reading this chapter. It goes on to explain the common debate that America is only in Iraq for its own benefits (oil) and not really there to help the people. But because we were all raised to view America as a hero to other countries this information is hard to fathom. Later in the chapter Stephen painted the picture clearer for me at least by looking at the gang types involved in illegal loans, investments, and even our food processors. This made me question, when we do go to someone for help are they helping us out of kindness or their own greed? The term "deviance" to me after completing the chapter is a fine line to walk for our common looked upon heroes and our everyday villains. In Chapter 2: Defining Deviancy Down by Daniel Patrick Moynihan explains how crime is normal and deviance is only viewed as so because of shared standards. I believe this is completely true because the vast majority of people see me as deviant simple due to the fact that I smoke cigarettes. However previous generations or even people from different backgrounds may not agree because of circumstance. Furthermore at the end of the chapter Daniel states how in society our media focuses on horrific events rather than a happy ending version. I have seen this my whole life when my parents would watch Fox News after dinner and they would talk about murder, rape, robbery and whatever else can come straight from a horror movie. In my opinion many of us myself included need to become more open minded and not just automatically assume the

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