Functionalism and Crime

Functionalism and Crime

“Crime is necessary, it is bound up with the fundamental conditions of all social life” – Durkheim

Functionalist focus as crime being the result of a society rather than an individual, (biological/physiological reasons)

Durkheim -  social deviance sets out social boundaries and only becomes dysfunctional when figures are too high (this would be a period of anomie)

Parsons highlights the result of having crime in our society;

·         Creates change

·         A “safety value” (crime can be a stress release (prostitution))

·         Acts as a warning sign

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