Functionalists theories on Crime and Deviance

Durkheim 

• Crime is inevitable and universal and a crime free society is contradictory in all terms.
• Crime is a result of a lack of effective socialisation.
• Tendency towards anomie - rules are weaker, modern society is now more complex for example gender roles and diversity - culture that is shared weakens and subcultures form. 
• Subcultures create own norms and values that don't comply with mainstream norms and values.
• Just the right amount of crime allows society to function smoothly and teaches society valuable lessons.
• There are 2 main positive functions of crime.

 1. Boundary maintenance - crime produces a collective agreement on whats tight and wrong              leading to condemnation of the wrongdoer.

 2. Adaptation and change - 'All change starts with an act of defiance' - must allow for individuals        to challenge existing norms to ensure a diverse society.

Merton

• Strain theory - Individuals engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to reach their goals by legitimate means
• Deviants choose to gain status and worth through illegitimate means and deviant acts.
• Deviance is a result of the strain between 2 things:
• 1. The goals that our culture encourages us to achieve 2. What the structure of society allows us to achieve legitimately.
• Structural factors: Societies unequal oppurtunity structure
• Cultural factors: The strong emphasis on success and weaker emphasis.
• 'American dream' ideology links to the strong emphasis on the goal but the reality is much different. Disadvantaged groups are denied oppurtunities to achieve.

Davis

'Prostitution acts as a safety valve for men's sexual frustration without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.'

Polsky 

'*********** safely channels a variety of sexual desires away from adultery which poses a greater threat to the family.'

Cohen

'Truancy trends tells policy makers that the education system is not functioning properly so they need to make changes.'