Week 6 Soc/120 Deviant Behavior

While there is a division of meanings defining what type of behavior is labeled as deviant the most typically accepted is it is a behavior in which infringes the standards of the social order of a particularized society. A behavior identified as deviant often involves a violation or opposition against respected rules, regulations or what one person perceives as normal behavior from his or her point of view. While a number of different examples of human behavior that may be considered as deviant in one society but is not considered deviant in others come to mind, polygamy, a custom of having more than one significant other, is a prime example. Countries that follow the Islamic Law allow men to marry up to a total of four wives so long the man obtains permission from his first wife to marry another. Such countries include Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen, to name a few. As history has revealed, the male gender in these countries is considered the more dominant. Women are scrutinized for showing too much skin or hair but a man can marry more than one wife, seems unjust however is considered normal in this culture. While practiced in the United States, polygamy is illegal. The United States too many individuals is a country of opportunity that involves local, state and federal laws all citizens and visitors are expected to follow. Typically, a marriage involves one man and one woman, what is considered legal and normal human behavior to most citizens. Many religious beliefs such as the Mormon faith, polygamy are a practice of faith. Again, although normal to Mormons polygamy is unnatural behavior by many other religions in the United States. Behaviors that are considered illegal or wrong in one country might appoint another to a higher social statute in another.  
Depending on the severity of deviant behavior a person who has a powerful status in society may be exempt or released of charges and prosecution over a person with less of a social standing simply because of...