Functionalist explanation for crime and deviance

EMILE DURKHEIM AND CRIME

POSITIVE ASPECTS

RE-AFFIRMING THE BOUNDARIES - When a person breaks the law and is taken to court, the publicity and court ceromny publicly re-affirms the existing values. E.g. public punishments. 

CHANGING VALUES - When a person is taken to court, there is sympathy for the person prosecuted. This public outcry signals a change in values and can eventually lead to a change in law to reflect the changing values. E.g. cannibis use.

SOCIAL COHESION - function of crime is to strengthen social cohesion. When theres been a horrific crime, the community come together in shared outrage. Eg. 9/11

SAFETY VALVE - form of pressure release. For example, prostitution because men have greater sexual needs that women. The provide sexual satisfaction without threatening the family as an institution.

PROVIDES…