Discussion Post
Question I: The Constructionist Perspective
• Explain the social constructionist view of deviance. In your answer, consider the types of questions asked by constructionists. Include in your explanation the concept of social control, which is central to the constructionist perspective. Define the terms formal and informal social control, providing an example for each.
• What do you consider to be strengths or weaknesses of the constructionist perspective in understanding and explaining deviance?
Question II: Poverty as a Form of Deviance
• In what ways can poverty be considered a form of deviance?
• In what ways do our definitions of deviance not fit the condition of being poor?
• There are a number of issues to consider in this discussion, including but not limited to:
• How a positivist approach may help us understand and explain poverty as a form of deviance; how a constructionist approach may help us understand and explain poverty as a form of deviance; the degree to which poverty may be considered societal and or situational deviance; how the "ABCs of Deviance" may or may not apply; theories that might helps us understand and explain whether or not poverty is a form of deviance; and whether "poor" and "poverty" are terms that are too broad to draw meaningful conclusions (and if they are too broad, is there a narrower definition or subtypes that are more appropriate? For example, the Account at the end of the chapter regarding living in Appalachia describes a different form of poverty than being mentally ill and homeless in Los Angeles.).
The response must include a reference list. One-inch margins, double-space, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.