WHAT IS DEVIANCE?

Deviance in a sociological context describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e.g., crime) as well as informal violations of social norms. Deviance can be described as a violation of these norms. Deviance is a failure to conform to culturally reinforced norms. This definition can be interpreted in many different ways. Social norms are different in one culture as opposed to another. For example, a deviant act can be committed in one society or culture that breaks a social norm there, but may be considered normal for another culture and society. Some acts of deviance may be criminal acts, but also, according to the society or culture, deviance can be strictly breaking social norms that are intact. CAUSES OF SOCIAL DEVIANCE

Deviance is a natural part of human behavior. In theory, everyone is doing potentially deviant things, but until they're labeled as such they are not yet officially deviant. Thus this represents deviance in a relative manner. The labeling theory identifies primary and secondary deviance. Both do not conform to social norms. Primary deviance is noninternalized, while it may become secondary deviance when the deviance is acknowledge and continued regardless. Structural Strain Theory states that deviance results from social structure. Those who do not understand or do not agree with the rules of social structure are confused by their lack of place in society. If a student does not understand the social structure and norms of his school then he/she may become a deviant. Deviance is their way of creating a social role for themselves. Innovation, ritualism, retreating and rebellion are all identified as deviant means to approve social goals. Conformity is the only non-deviant, and thus the only socially approved, means proposed by the theory. Social approval, according to the theory, indicates shared values. Cultural Transmission Theory maintains that all people are deviant, which makes their offspring deviant through learned behavior. The balance of good and bad influences in the learner's life, combined with her age and kind of relationship with a deviant influence, all affect the degree of deviance. Youth is associated with higher deviance, increasing as the age decreases. Essentially the theory states that the longer a person is deviant, the more deviant she is likely to be.

Deviance control in schools

Control Theory Rather than asking about the cause of deviance in schools, the Control Theory focuses on why deviance is not more widely committed. Schools have laws and social mores that, the theory maintains, lead most students to behave normally. Attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs are all identified as different examples of driving forces behind social bonds. In a school, a student must have a reputation, be connected to other students and his teachers, conform to many of that schools rules, and give back to that school. When a student is involved in his school activities and organization, doing harm to it by being deviant would cause harm to that person as well.

So involving deviants in social and extra-cullicular activities in school will give the deviant a sense of belonging Guidance and counseling theory is A theory that stresses how physical mentorship, psychological guidance ,extra academic assistance and maybe spiritual support can help control and rehabilitate deviants in schools .this way the guidance counselor verbally or orally highlights out rules and norms and impacts the students. These norms emerge to deter deviant behavior. The school should create students social group that has motivational student friendly programmes. These programmes and group should be packaged and presented with incentives and practices that will make them attractive to students in general..The counselors will then direct the deviant students to join these groups and participate in its programmes. Without this "control" deviant behavior would happen more often. This leads to conformity and groups( joining bad gangs and cultism may occur). Deviant Students will conform to a group when they believe they have more to gain from conformity than by deviance. If a strong bond is achieved there will be less chance of deviance than if a weak bond has occurred. a deviant student may adhere to the norms because they now have a bond to the school society. The bond consists of four positively correlated factors: commitment, attachment, belief, and involvement. When any of these bonds are weakened or broken one is more likely to act in defiance. Counselors should also highlight the Self-Control Theory. The deviant student must be taught the act of self control and restraint. The theory also proves that acts of violence, force and fraud are undertaken in the pursuit of self interest not group interests, and a lack of self control. A deviant act is based on a criminals own deficient self control of themselves.

Punishment: punishment and retribution through corporal or manual labor..

Suspensions and expulsions are often used in developing and developed countries as a means of controlling deviance..The school would publish a list of rules and obligations of students..Punishment is often threatened or applied for wrongful behavior, and compliance is rewarded by teachers, parents, family, and authority figures. Psychological manipulation: this is a method where authorities try to appeal to the conscience of the deviant by manipulating the student to believe that his actions may lead him/her asunder. It is a reliable in correcting deviant who have a religious consciousness. It is a medium by which a student is manipulated to refrain from delinquency through communicating with his/her own conscience or superego. Surrogate or Indirect guidance: this theory tries to reform deviants by identifying, liaising and working with those personalities or figures who the deviants respect. These persons are those who are most likely to influence the deviants behavior, these persons can range from their parents, favorite sibling, favorite movie or pop star. the deviant is more likely to respond to these person than any other teacher .the deviant may conform easily he will be made to understand that his or her delinquent act might cause pain and disappointment to parents and others with whom he or she has close relationships. Control through needs satisfaction. This method is to find out what the needs of the deviant are and if all an individual's needs are met, there is no point in social deviation or criminal activity.