Abuse is a deviant behavior defined by society or the dominant culture as socially unacceptable because it refers to the abuse of power and control through negative behaviors. There are many categories as to what type of abuse you are dealing with but, no matter the circumstance, it usually results in severe trauma to the individual in which is receiving the other end.
In this case, we are talking about the cultural and historical context behind child abuse. Social-cultural norms provide a common basis for people’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. They also lead to creating rules that regulate the behavior and expectations for a person’s actions in social situations. This allows us to classify child abuse into an informal negative norm. Although what may be deemed as socially unacceptable to one person may be deemed acceptable by another but, I think we can all agree, reported or unreported, this should not be normal regardless of how often we see it happening. The Encylclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society says “The watershed in the history of child abuse shows dated as recently as 1962, when child abuse received its modern formulation by the American medical establishment as the battered-child syndrome.” Yet that very prevalence ruled out any consensus about what constituted an abusive divergence from the social norm. Child abuse occurs at all socioeconomic and education levels and crosses ethnic and cultural lines. It is often associated with stress from the parents or problems between the partners.
Child abuse negatively affects a child’s social development because they are being neglected by the love and tender care that every child needs. This will affect a child’s social skills when he/she grows up. The social lens of a functionalist is digging deeper than just mom or dad having a bad day. Maybe the reason behind doing the abuse is that they once experienced the trauma themselves, in other words, The Strain Theory. Social conditions lead to crimes. Social change is an inevitable feature and conflict is rooted in social structure. The Symbolic Interactionist perspective is useful in understanding the dynamic of abuse and suggests that one’s identity or sense of self is shaped by social interaction. We tend to favor retribution because we feel that it will restore moral balance but, many people believe that because it isn't happening in their family, quite frankly, it isn't their business. So, most times people won't say anything. They just use our judicial system for deterrence and incapacitation to “prevent” otherwise.
Structural oppressions are listed under reasons as to why child abuse may occur in a home. Some parents may fall under stress because of income, taking care of the child, personal issues, etc. In fact, research shows many teen moms are likely to abuse their children because they don't have the mental strength or ability to provide.
A deviant behavior that I have taken a part in, like most people, can be found in friend groups. Relating to the videos provided, not laughing at one’s joke is a type of Informal Negative sanction. Simple gestures such as not laughing to discourage the person telling a joke.
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