Everyone, at some point in their life, has most likely committed some deviant act. This is not as inconceivable as it might seem. Deviance is related to different social groups and different cultures. Deviance refers to any violation of norms, which varies significantly. We encounter deviant behavior every day, particularly in the news. Every day you may hear about harmful deviant acts, such as theft and murder. Even as a high school student, you constantly hear about deviant acts, like that test someone cheated on. In any case, deviant acts will always be present in society, because people will always follow the norms and consider those who do not follow them atypical. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most deviant behavior I have ever been personally exposed to was when my best friend came out as gay. Deviant behavior varies based on culture and social values, so for some homosexuality is not considered deviant. However, for me, I grew up in a Catholic family that had no problems with homosexuals per se, but had problems with some aspects of homosexuality. Both of my parents grew up in families where they were taught that a “normal” family had a man, his wife, and their children. However, now society is changing and with it the opinions of many people are also changing. The Church will not reform its beliefs anytime soon. My parents consider homosexuality to be deviant behavior because they chose to be the way they are, to go against the social norms of a man and a woman being together, settling down and having children. My best friend who came out as gay didn't hurt anyone, physically; however, since the high school kids attended a private high school, they harmed him more emotionally than anything else. Children can be mean, especially those who don't understand what someone has been through and where they come from. Some kids at my school bullied him just because they were afraid he would hit on them, but that wasn't the case at all. My friend tried to fit in, but the other kids in our school couldn't accept him, because they believed that being homosexual was not acceptable. Please note: this is just an example. Get a customized document from our expert editors now. Get a Custom Essay Deviance is inevitable, however there is nothing wrong with deviance alone. However, it is people's reactions to deviance that lead to problems. Harmful deviant behaviors should not be tolerated, however deviant behaviors that are not harmful may be perceived differently. While society will never be free from deviant behavior, the most effective way to address it will require many fundamental changes. Works CitedBecker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: studies on the sociology of deviance. Free printing. Chambliss, W. J., & Seidman, R. (1982). Law, order and power. Addison-Wesley.Clinard, M. B., & Meier, R. F. (2011). Sociology of deviant behavior. Wadsworth Publishing. Downes, D. M., & Rock, P. (2007). Understanding deviance: A guide to the sociology of crime and rule breaking. Oxford University Press.Henslin, J. M. (2017). Essentials of sociology: a concrete approach. Pearson.Jensen, G.F., Rojek, D.G., & Steinberg, M. (2016). Deviance and social control: a sociological perspective. Routledge.Merton, R. K. (1957). Social theory and social structure. Free Press. Schur, E. M. (1971). Labeling deviant behavior: its social reaction and.