Emile durkheim argues that deviance is beneficial to society in a number of ways, such as showing us where the boundaries of acceptable behavior are and that it can bring a group together. do you agree or disagree with his argument that deviance can be beneficial? why?

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Russell Jacobson

Social Studies

29 October, 20:27

Emile durkheim argues that deviance is beneficial to society in a number of ways, such as showing us where the boundaries of acceptable behavior are and that it can bring a group together. do you agree or disagree with his argument that deviance can be beneficial? why?

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Israel Herman · Answer 1

According to Durkheim, deviance is benefitial for societies or human groups. Societies are sustained by a value consensus and there are generally accepted mechanisms to punish those who deviate, both formally and informally. Deviance consists on behaving in such a manner that desobeys the rules or the preestablished value system.

But the existence of a jointly agreed system of values in a society, does not mean that all it includes is 'right' or 'fair'. Imagine the example of racist slavists societies which were convinced on treating other humans as property. They were totally convinced of their beliefs but this does not mean they were acting properly.

Hence, deviation is the engine for social change, for improving the communities. Following the previous example, part of the society rose against slavery and obtained the approval of many others. Slowly, positive changes end up being adopted by the society and become normal, part of the value consensus.