The us society and other societies globally label

also said that deviance clarifies moral boundaries. The U.S society and other societies globally
label people as deviant. This allows different societies to distinguish the difference between
what’s right and wrong. People in societies that are considered deviant are usually punished
somehow for their deviant behavior. Others learn not to repeat their actions because they do not
want to face the consequences that follow.
The third function of deviance is promoting social unity. If a part of a society is acting
deviant, the part of society that is against them will join together and unify. Because they
disagree with the deviant acts, it brings them closer as a society. This takes place in the U.S aw

well as in societies globally. An example is of this happened during World War II. After the
attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S as a whole unified and became a stronger society. The very last
function of deviance that Durkheim stated was that deviance encourages change within a society.
Durkheim stated that “today’s deviance can become tomorrow’s morality.” An example of this in
the U.S and globally is gay marriage. It used to be considered very inappropriate but as it occurs
more commonly in societies, it is becoming more accepted.
The four functions of deviance can be seen in the U.S society and global societies as well.
Durkheim said that the four functions of deviance are to affirm values and norms, to clarify
social boundaries, promote solidarity, and to encourage social change. There are many examples
of how the functions of deviance take place in societies. They affirm values and norms by
showing what deviant acts are and clarify boundaries by showing societies rights from wrongs.
Deviance promotes solidarity by bringing people together after witnessing deviant acts. It
encourages social change because after a deviant act is done so many times society will begin to
accept it. Durkheim believed that deviance was normal for societies to function healthily.