I JUST NEED HELP FINISHING THIS ASSIGNMENT THAT I STARTED. Requirements Word Count, Word Choice & Depth (10 points) 1000 + Words Research Quality (10 points) 3 + Sources Required to receive full credit Formatting & Presentation (10 points) Grammar & Mechanics (20 points) Flow & Structure (20 points) Content & Ideas (30 points)——————————————————————INSTRUCTIONS: please think back through the your life and describe a deviant behavior that you either used to do or still do (if you have an example of a "friend" committing deviance you can use that, as well). Explain what you (or your "friend" was hoping to gain by the deviant behavior, how society responded to the behavior, and how the person doing the deviance behavior was expecting or hoping to be treated by society. Then, for the next part of the essay, analyze your example from the basis of a major sociological theorist (Durkheim, Marx, or Weber) and explain what they would have said about your example: why the behavior was done, what kinds of problems the behavior highlights in our society, and what are the potential benefits of someone doing that behavior. Lastly, describe a significant concept you learned about deviance in this course and how you think it will help you in your career and/or your life-particularly how think about othe people and the deviance they do. MY ANSWER: During high school, a close friend of mine regularly skipped class and forged notes from their parents to excuse their absences. While this may seem like a minor act of deviance, it was clearly a violation of school rules and social norms. My friend wasn't trying to rebel just for fun; instead, they were struggling with anxiety and family issues that made school overwhelming. By skipping class, they hoped to find relief from stress and assert some control over their life. Society, in this case represented by the school and teachers, responded with punishment: detention, parent conferences, and eventually the threat of suspension. However, my friend hoped for understanding rather than discipline. They wanted someone to ask why they were missing school rather than simply punishing the behavior. Sociological Analysis Using Durkheim’s Theory Émile Durkheim, a foundational sociologist, would likely interpret this deviant behavior as a normal and even necessary part of society. According to Durkheim, deviance plays four key roles: affirming cultural values and norms, clarifying moral boundaries, promoting social unity, and encouraging social change. In this case, my friend's behavior highlights cracks in the education system's approach to mental health. Their deviance exposed the lack of support for students facing emotional difficulties. Durkheim would argue that while the behavior violates norms, it also serves as a signal that society must adapt—perhaps by integrating better counseling services or flexible schooling options. The potential benefit of this behavior, then, is the attention it brings to unmet needs within the system. Concept Learned: Labeling Theory One concept that stood out to me in this course is Labeling Theory, which suggests that deviance is not just about the act itself but how society reacts to it. Once my friend was labeled as a "troublemaker," teachers treated them differently, often assuming bad intent even when they tried to participate. This label only pushed them further from the help they needed. Understanding this theory has changed how I view people who break rules. In my future career—whether in education, health, or business—I’ll try to ask why someone behaves a certain way before judging them. It reminds me that deviant behavior often masks deeper issues and that empathy and curiosity can be more powerful than blame.
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