alcohol use and its association with deviant behavior
Deviance is defined as violation of established social, cultural and behavioral norms. From the sociological perspective, deviance is only defined in presence of set rules within communities and behaviors deemed deviant within one social setting may be acceptable in another. A person is considered to be deviant if he or she displays behaviors that violate the acceptable norms in a particular society, however, this does not necessarily imply that they are criminal, antisocial or violent. Common deviant behaviors that occur in societies include alcohol and drug abuse, violence, aggression and engaging in criminal activities. This essay focusses on alcohol use and its association with deviant behavior as will be explained using theoretical perspectives on deviance.
Alcoholic behavior among individuals has often resulted from the occasional users being labelled as “abusers” by members of the society. Initially, these individuals engage in alcohol use, and do not consider themselves as abusers. However, when the society discovers, they label them as drunkards and if these persists the label is gradually confirmed and the alcoholic users view themselves to be truly drunkards consequently becoming habitual alcohol abusers. (Zastrow, 2009). The Labelling theory nevertheless fails to address alcoholism among closet alcoholics and those who were already alcohol abusers prior to being labelled as such.
Alcoholism can also be an acquired behavior and not inherently one born with. According to Sutherland’s theory on differential association, alcoholism is learnt from values and actions considered essential by groups within their surroundings (Akers, 1999). These groups include families, peer groups, social and religious groups. The differential association theory also helps to describe variances in alcoholism rates among ethnic and religious groups. For instance, this theory distinguishes alcohol use patterns among the Irish, Italians and Jewish communities. Although the Italian and Jewish culture permits moderate use of alcohol for meals and religious events, drunkenness is prohibited and consequently rare within the communities (Zastrow, 2009). The Irish however permits periodic spells of excessive drinking among single males leading to high rates of alcoholism among them.
Alcohol use is highly integrated within the societal customs. Most individuals spend weekdays dedicated to work and socialize on weekends with their families and friends and often use alcohol in leisure and special activities. Uncontrolled alcohol use can result to addiction and amplify symptoms linked to deviance. These symptoms include aggression, disengagement and antisocial behaviors. Alcoholism thus alters how its users react to people, places and activities. Alcoholics may at times feel disinterested in doing some activities or meeting particular people and as a result fail to meet their obligations. Additionally, deviant lifestyle coupled with addiction may cause alcoholics to experience health, social and financial problems. It can also lead to individuals getting incarcerated that may lead them to get involved in severe criminal activities. It is therefore necessary to break deviance lifestyle and alcoholism that negatively impacts one’s life.
References
Akers, R. L. (1999). Social Learning Theory. In R. L. Akers, Criminological Theories: Introduction and Evaluation (2 ed., pp. 59-78). Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers.
Zastrow, C. (2009). Sociological Theories of Drug Abuse. In C. Zastrow, Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People (10 ed., pp. 250-252). Belmont,CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole.