Assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime.
Functionalists focus on the importance of shared norms and values. However, they see a
small amount of crime as necessary and beneficial to society. Durkheim argues that crime
is inevitable because not everyone in society is equally committed to the collective
sentiments. This means that people in society are socialised differently thus those who
receive inadequate socialisation do not share the same norms and values as everyone
else making them prone to deviance. In addition, there is a diversity of lifestyles and
values in modern society. Durkheim argues that the diversity in modern society leads to
anomie. This means that there is a sense of normlessness as the rules governing
behaviour become weaker and less-clear cut since different subcultures have different
norms and values. As a result, there is a high level of crime and deviance. In Durkheim's
view, even in a 'society of saints' with no crime at all, such high standards of behaviour
would make even the smallest deviant act such as burping stand out. This shows that
deviance is unavoidable in society.
Durkheim argues that crime has positive functions in society. His view of crime is similar to
his view on religion as he argues that crime helps to unite members of society. This helps
in boundary maintenance as the members of society unite in condemning the wrongdoer
thus distinguishing themselves from the offender. As a result, the shared norms and
values in society are reinforced. Moreover, the punishment of criminals reaffirms society's
shared rules. This shows that crime has a positive function in society as it strengthens
society's norms and values.
In addition, Durkheim argues that deviance leads the way to progress without which
society would stagnate. An example is Nelson Mandela who opposed the apartheid regime
in South Africa leading to equal rights between the black people and white people. This
shows that deviant acts are important as they lead to social change. Durkheim further
argues that crime and deviance only lead to dysfunction when their levels are either very
low or very high. However, he offers no guidance as to what the right amount of crime is.
Davis supports Durkheim's view that crime has positive functions and argues that
prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of men's sexual frustrations without
threatening the nuclear family.
Functionalists focus on the importance of shared norms and values. However, they see a
small amount of crime as necessary and beneficial to society. Durkheim argues that crime
is inevitable because not everyone in society is equally committed to the collective
sentiments. This means that people in society are socialised differently thus those who
receive inadequate socialisation do not share the same norms and values as everyone
else making them prone to deviance. In addition, there is a diversity of lifestyles and
values in modern society. Durkheim argues that the diversity in modern society leads to
anomie. This means that there is a sense of normlessness as the rules governing
behaviour become weaker and less-clear cut since different subcultures have different
norms and values. As a result, there is a high level of crime and deviance. In Durkheim's
view, even in a 'society of saints' with no crime at all, such high standards of behaviour
would make even the smallest deviant act such as burping stand out. This shows that
deviance is unavoidable in society.
Durkheim argues that crime has positive functions in society. His view of crime is similar to
his view on religion as he argues that crime helps to unite members of society. This helps
in boundary maintenance as the members of society unite in condemning the wrongdoer
thus distinguishing themselves from the offender. As a result, the shared norms and
values in society are reinforced. Moreover, the punishment of criminals reaffirms society's
shared rules. This shows that crime has a positive function in society as it strengthens
society's norms and values.
In addition, Durkheim argues that deviance leads the way to progress without which
society would stagnate. An example is Nelson Mandela who opposed the apartheid regime
in South Africa leading to equal rights between the black people and white people. This
shows that deviant acts are important as they lead to social change. Durkheim further
argues that crime and deviance only lead to dysfunction when their levels are either very
low or very high. However, he offers no guidance as to what the right amount of crime is.
Davis supports Durkheim's view that crime has positive functions and argues that
prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of men's sexual frustrations without
threatening the nuclear family.
