The Role of Social Stigma in Deviance
1. Introduction
The concept of deviance, in the sociological context, refers to any act that defies cultural norms. This concept as a violation of social norms has drawn the increasing interest of sociologists over the past few decades. In this essay, I will explore the different researches done on deviance with a focus on social stigma. I will start with a definition of deviance, followed by a discussion of formal and informal deviance. I will then move on to how social stigma contributes to deviance using black metal and the Columbine High School massacre as examples. After that, I will discuss three studies on social stigma and deviance conducted by Kenney, Li Li and Dennis Moore, and Barry Adams respectively. I will conclude with a summary of my findings.
2. What is deviance?
In order to understand how social stigma contributes to deviance, it is first important to understand what deviance is. Deviance, in the sociological context, refers to any act that defies cultural norms. It is important to note that what is considered as deviant behaviour varies from culture to culture. For example, in some cultures, body piercings are considered as deviant while in others they are not. In addition, what may be considered as deviant behaviour in one period of time may not be seen as such in another period. For instance, same-sex marriage was once seen as deviant but is now gradually becoming more accepted in many cultures around the world.
There are two main types of deviance – formal and informal deviance.
2. 1 Formal deviance
Formal deviance refers to behaviours that violate formally enacted laws. Examples of formal deviance include murder, robbery, and rape. These behaviours are usually punished by the government through imprisonment or other forms of penalties such as fines.
2. 2 Informal deviance
Informal deviance refers to behaviours that violate informal social norms such as dress code and table manners. Informal social norms are norms that are not formally enacted but are widely accepted by a group or society. Although informal deviance does not necessarily lead to legal punishment, violators of these norms may still face negative consequences such as social ostracism and shame.
3. How does social stigma contribute to deviance?
Social stigma is an important factor that contributes to deviance. Stigma can be defined as a sign of disgrace or discredit attached to a person or thing (Goffman, 1963). It is important to note that not all forms ofdeviance are stigmatized. For example, while murder is a form of formal deviance that is heavily stigmatized, informal deviances such as poor table manners are usually not seen as shameful and thus are not heavily stigmatized. In addition, different groups within society may have different levels of tolerance for particular types ofdeviant behaviour (Adams, 2011). For instance, while most people would view murder as an unacceptable behaviour, there may be some subcultures within society that consider murder acceptable under certain circumstances (such as self-defence or wars).
3. 1 Black metal and the Columbine High School massacre
The black metal subculture is an example of a group that has a different level of tolerance for deviance. Black metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by its fast tempo, aggressive vocals, and dark, distorted melodies (Thompson, 2011). The subculture surrounding black metal is known for its anti-social and misanthropic views. Members of the black metal subculture often dress in all black, wear face-painted corpse makeup, and burn churches (Watkins, 2002). In addition, members of the black metal subculture have been known to commit criminal acts such as murder and arson (Watkins, 2002).
One of the most infamous examples of crime associated with the black metal subculture is the Columbine High School massacre. On April 20th, 1999, two students – Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold – went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado, United States. They killed 12 students and 1 teacher before committing suicide (Newman, 2004). It was later revealed that Harris and Klebold were fans of black metal music and had been influenced by the subculture’s misanthropic views (Newman, 2004). The Columbine High School massacre brought widespread public attention to the dark side of the black metal subculture.
3. 2 Kenney’s study of social stigma and deviance
In her study of social stigma and deviance, Kenney (2010) interviewed members of the black metal subculture in order to understand how they coped with the stigma associated with their music. Kenney found that members of the black metal subculture dealt with stigma in two main ways – by trying to downplay the negative aspects of their music and by emphasizing the positive aspects. For instance, when asked about whether their music glorified violence, one interviewee replied: “No, I don’t think so […] It’s just about being free […] about not having to answer to anyone” (Kenney, 2010, p.11). By downplaying the negative aspects of their music, members of the black metal subculture are able to cope with the stigma attached to it. In addition, members of the black metal subculture also emphasized the positive aspects of their music such as its rebellious nature. For instance, one interviewee stated that: “I like that it’s anti-religious […] I like that it’s kind of underground” (Kenney, 2010, p.10). By emphasizing the positive aspects of their music, members of the black metal subculture are able to offset some of the negative stigma attached to it.
3. 3 Li Li and Dennis Moore’s study of social stigma and deviance
In their study of social stigma and deviance, Li Li and Dennis Moore (2008) interviewed former gang members in order to understand how they coped with the stigma associated with their former lifestyle. Li Li and Moore found that former gang members dealt with stigma in three main ways – by distancing themselves from their former gang life, by emphasizing the positive aspects of their current life, and by attributing their past deviant behaviour to circumstances beyond their control. For instance, when asked about his former gang life, one interviewee stated: “I don’t really like talking about it because it’s in the past […] I’m trying to forget about it” (Li Li & Moore, 2008, p.12). By distancing themselves from their former gang life, former gang members are able to cope with the stigma associated with it. In addition, former gang members also emphasized the positive aspects of their current life such as their job and family. For instance, one interviewee stated that he was “happy with [his] life now […] [He had] a good job and [he was] married with kids” (Li Li & Moore, 2008, p.13). By emphasizing the positive aspects of their current life, former gang members are able to offset some of the negative stigma attached to their past deviant behaviour. Finally, former gang members also attributed their past deviant behaviour to circumstances beyond their control such as peer pressure and poverty. For instance, one interviewee stated that he became a gang member because “all [his] friends were in gangs […] [He] didn’t want to be left out” (Li Li & Moore, 2008, p.15). By attributing their past deviant behaviour to circumstances beyond their control, former gang members are able to reduce the negative stigma attached to it.
3. 4 Barry Adam’s study of social stigma and deviance
In his study of social stigma and deviance, Barry Adam (2011) interviewed people with HIV/AIDS in order to understand how they coped with the stigma associated with their disease. Adam found that people with HIV/AIDS dealt with stigma in four main ways – by disclosure, by community involvement, by positive reappraisal, and by self-acceptance. For instance, when asked about how he deals with the stigma attached to his disease, one interviewee stated: “I try to be open about my HIV status […] I think it’s important for people to know that HIV doesn’t just affect homosexuals or drug users” (Adam, 2011, p.9). By disclosing their HIV status to others, people with HIV/AIDS are able to reduce the negative stigma attached to their disease. In addition, people with HIV/AIDS also coped with stigma by getting involved in their community. For instance, one interviewee stated that he volunteers at a local AIDS hospice and another interviewee stated that she is a member of an AIDS support group (Adam, 2011, p.10). By getting involved in their community, people with HIV/AIDS are able to offset some of the negative stigma attached to their disease. Furthermore, people with HIV/AIDS also coped with stigma through positive reappraisal – that is, by finding positive aspects of their disease. For instance, one interviewee stated that his HIV diagnosis made him “more careful and more thoughtful […] [It] made [him] a better person” (Adam, 2011, p.11). Finally, people with HIV/AIDS also coped with stigma through self-acceptance – that is, by accepting their disease and finding ways to live with it. For instance, one interviewee stated that she has “come to terms […] [She] can’t change it […] [She] just have to deal with it” (Adam, 2011, p.12).
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, deviance is any act that defies cultural norms and social norms play an important role in shaping what is considered as deviant behaviour.