‘The main cause of deviant behaviour is social resistance.’ Explain this view.
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2023
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the concept of deviance and state the essay's argument: that social resistance is a major cause of deviant behavior.
Resisting Dominant Norms and Values
Define social resistance: Explain how social groups form countercultures with alternative norms and values as a form of rejecting the dominant societal system.
Youth Subcultures and Status Frustration: Discuss how youth subcultures, particularly those facing status frustration (linking to structure and agency), use deviance to establish identity and gain recognition. Provide examples like Teddy Boys, mods and rockers, etc.
Forms of Resistance in Action
Counter-School Culture: Use Willis's "Lads" study to illustrate how resistance manifests in education through the rejection of middle-class values.
Micro vs. Macro Resistance (Williams): Differentiate between passive resistance (e.g., Goths' appearance, listening to critical rap music) and active, organized resistance (e.g., Rock Against Racism, vegan activism).
Cultural Appropriation as Resistance
Subverting Meaning: Explain how cultural appropriation, particularly by working-class youth (e.g., punks and safety pins), challenges dominant culture by altering the meaning of everyday objects (reference Hebdige and the Birmingham School).
Gender and Resistance: Provide an example like Riot Grrrl zines to demonstrate how cultural appropriation can be used to resist patriarchal norms and empower women.
Overt and Covert Resistance
Visibility of Resistance (Holland): Distinguish between overt resistance (easily recognizable) and covert resistance (more subtle and hidden). Provide examples to illustrate the difference.
Conclusion
Summarize the key arguments, emphasizing how social resistance, in various forms, significantly contributes to deviant behavior. Briefly address potential counterarguments or limitations of this perspective.
Deviant Behaviour as Social Resistance
This essay will argue that a significant cause of deviant behaviour stems from social resistance. This perspective posits that individuals and groups deemed deviant often operate outside societal norms as a form of challenging and rejecting the dominant social order.
Subcultures and Status Frustration
Social groups often develop their own distinct norms and values, particularly when they feel alienated or marginalized by mainstream society. These subcultures, especially among youth, can be interpreted as acts of resistance against the dominant system. Albert Cohen's concept of "status frustration" (Cohen, 1955) explains how individuals, particularly working-class youth, may feel frustrated by their inability to achieve status through legitimate means. This frustration can lead them to seek alternative avenues for recognition and belonging, often through subcultural participation.
Historical and contemporary examples of youth subcultures demonstrating this resistance are abundant. The Teddy Boys of the 1950s, with their Edwardian-inspired clothing, challenged post-war austerity and class boundaries. The Mods and Rockers of the 1960s, with their contrasting styles and values, reflected a generational divide and challenged traditional notions of respectability. Subsequently, skinheads, punks, Goths, emos, and Rastafarians, each with their distinct styles, music, and values, exemplified resistance against dominant cultural norms and expectations. These subcultures highlight the agency individuals possess in actively shaping their identities and challenging societal expectations, even if through unconventional means.
Resistance in Education and Everyday Life
Resistance isn't confined to subcultures; it manifests in various social settings, including education. Paul Willis's (1977) study of "The Lads" demonstrated how working-class boys resisted middle-class educational values by actively subverting the conformist behavior expected of them. Their disdain for academic achievement and celebration of "having a laff" can be interpreted as a form of resistance against a system they perceived as rigged against them.
Furthermore, resistance can be expressed in subtle, everyday acts. Sociologist Stan Cohen (1972) distinguishes between "overt" and "covert" resistance. Overt resistance is explicit and directly challenges the dominant order, while covert resistance is more subtle and often goes unnoticed by those in power. For instance, John Williams's (1980) work on "passive resistance" highlights how seemingly mundane acts like listening to rebellious music or adopting alternative styles can be interpreted as forms of resistance. He argues that these acts allow individuals to carve out their own space and identity within a system that may feel restrictive or oppressive.
Cultural Appropriation as Resistance
Cultural appropriation, often seen in youth subcultures, can also be a form of resistance. Dick Hebdige's (1979) work with the Birmingham School of Cultural Studies explored how marginalized groups, primarily working-class youth, reappropriate and subvert the meaning of everyday objects. For example, punk's use of safety pins as body adornment transformed mundane objects into symbols of rebellion and non-conformity, challenging traditional notions of beauty and style.
Gender and Resistance
Resistance manifests in various forms regarding gender. The Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s provides a compelling example. This feminist punk movement utilized zines and music to challenge patriarchal norms and empower young women. Their DIY ethos and unapologetically feminist lyrics directly confronted issues like sexism, sexual abuse, and body image, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the mainstream media's portrayal of women. The Riot Grrrls reclaimed their voices and agency through cultural production, resisting the dominant culture's attempts to silence and objectify them (Hanna, 1998).
Conclusion
In conclusion, deviant behaviour can be understood as a form of social resistance. By rejecting or subverting dominant norms and values, individuals and groups actively challenge the established social order. This resistance can take various forms, from the overt rebellion of youth subcultures to the more subtle acts of everyday resistance. Recognizing deviance as a form of social resistance allows for a deeper understanding of the complexities of social behavior and the constant push and pull between conformity and dissent in any given society.
References
Cohen, A. K. (1955). *Delinquent Boys: The Culture of the Gang*. New York: Free Press.
Cohen, S. (1972). *Folk Devils and Moral Panics: The Creation of the Mods and Rockers*. London: MacGibbon & Kee.
Hanna, D. (1998). *Riot Grrrl Style Now*. London: Cassell.
Hebdige, D. (1979). *Subculture: The Meaning of Style*. London: Methuen.
Willis, P. (1977). *Learning to Labour: How Working Class Kids Get Working Class Jobs*. Farnborough: Saxon House.
Williams, J. (1980). *Subcultural Theory: Traditions and Concepts*. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
The Main Cause of Deviant Behaviour is Social Resistance
This view suggests that deviant behaviour stems primarily from the resistance of certain social groups against the dominant norms and values of wider society.
Explanation of the View
This view emphasizes how social groups that cultivate distinct norms and values, contrasting with those of the broader society, actively resist and oppose the established system. This resistance can manifest in various ways:
Youth Subcultures
Youth subcultures, in particular, are often associated with this phenomenon. They may experience **status frustration**, a concept linked to the interplay of structure and agency, highlighting the challenges individuals and groups face in achieving social status and establishing their identity within society. Examples of youth subcultures that exhibit this resistance include **Teddy Boys**, **mods and rockers**, **skinheads**, **punks**, **Goths**, **emos**, and **Rastafarians**.
Counter-School Attitudes
Resistance can also be observed within educational settings. For example, Paul Willis's research on "Lads" revealed how working-class boys actively subverted middle-class educational values by devaluing conformist behaviour.
Micro or Passive Resistance
This form of resistance involves subtle, often individual acts that challenge dominant norms. **Goths**, for instance, might resist middle-class values regarding appearance and distinct themselves from mainstream conformity. Listening to rap music that critiques the white establishment can also be viewed as a form of passive resistance (Harrison).
Macro or Active Resistance
This type of resistance is more overtly political and organized. **Rock Against Racism**, for example, mobilized punk culture to oppose racist ideologies. Additionally, vegan activists who engage in organized efforts to end factory farming represent active resistance, while individuals who choose to abstain from meat and dairy but rarely discuss their choices engage in passive resistance.
Cultural Appropriation
Often practiced by working-class youth, this involves appropriating everyday objects and subverting their meaning to challenge the dominant culture. The use of safety pins by punks (Hebdige/Birmingham School) is a prime example.
Gender Example: Riot Grrrl Zines
These zines exemplify how cultural appropriation can be used to resist patriarchal beauty norms that oppress women.
Overt and Covert Resistance
A distinction can be made between overt resistance, which is visible and acknowledged, and covert resistance, which is less apparent (Holland).
Conclusion
The view that social resistance is the primary driver of deviant behaviour provides a compelling framework for understanding how individuals and groups challenge social norms and structures. By exploring the diverse forms of resistance, ranging from subtle acts of defiance to organized political movements, we gain insights into the complexities of social deviance and the ongoing struggle for social change.