.
Please also visit my "Renting with Rex" Blog: http://rentingwithrex.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 26, 2025
SOC324 Deviant Behavior Examples, Unit 3.1 DB: Examples of Childhood Deviance, POST University, August 2024
SOC324 Deviant Behavior Examples, Unit 3.1 DB: Examples of Childhood Deviance
Share your childhood deviance example from the news story you identified for your reflection assignment.
I would say that probably my biggest deviance behavior is when I would walk the family dog for long walks and riding my bike outside of the immediate neighborhood. My parents told me to stay within the vicinity of the local streets.
One of the places I would go was to the massive shopping center several blocks away. I had to cross busy streets and it would take me a half hour to get there. I would bring the the dog and walk all over and into the shops. (No author given, 2024)
I would also ride my bike in the other direction around Lake Merced in San Francisco, which has a paved path and is over 3 miles all the way around. It would take me to the edge of shopping center, high schools, large apartment complexes and 18 hole golf courses. (No author given, 2024)
What are some significant points you made in your reflection regarding the causes and effects of this behavior?
I didn’t find anything negative in these behaviors, but they were beyond the boundaries that were set. Eventually, as I got older these trips became more normal, and we also then moved into San Francisco, on the outskirts of Lake Merced. I do think that the original boundaries were set just as a precaution, but once it was discovered that I was responsible and I came home on time for dinner, then the behavior became more accepted.
References
No author given, 2024, Wikipedia, Westlake Shopping Center, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westlake_Shopping_Center
No author given, 2024, San Francisco Rec and Park, Lake Merced, https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Merced-Trail-58
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
SOC 324 Deviant Behavior Unit 4 Assignment: News Article Reflection, POST University, September 2024
Intimate Partner Violence
Exploring all the Various Aspects
Jackie Phillips
Sociology, Post University
SOC 324 – Deviant Behavior
Unit 4 Assignment: News Article Reflection
Professor Joshelle Jackson
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST, Sunday of Unit 4
Intimate Partner Violence:
Exploring all the Various Aspects
Deviance is all around us and routinely highlighted on the news. Find one news story on interpersonal violence and write a two-page reflection on it, including the following:
A summary of the news story
This story is about a woman who was living in a place where her partner abused her violently repeatedly, which forced her into homelessness in order to escape the violence.
“When Rita looked at herself in the mirror, she was frightened by her thinning hair and gaunt appearance. She knew it was time to escape the abuse that was eroding her health and her self-worth. She fled to a shelter in her county but was told there was no space for her. The “domestic violence” beds were full. The remaining shelter beds were reserved for people who were chronically homeless, and she didn’t qualify.” (Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024)
Clear identification of the deviant behavior and its effect on society
There is a demonstrated connection between what is called violence with a domestic partner, called Intimate Partner Violence, and homelessness.
“Rita’s awful dilemma illustrates the deeply intertwined relationship between domestic violence — also called intimate partner violence — and homelessness, and her story reflects the findings of a new statewide study of homelessness that shows how intimate partner violence is a precursor to homelessness.” (Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024)
An explanation of the cause of the behavior.
It appears that Intimate Partner Violence can start as teenagers during dating. What may start initially as teasing and name calling, can escalate to more violent and abusive behavior. The people who are being abused are very inexperienced and may not understand what is occurring and the difference between teasing and real violence.
“Teen dating violence is common. Data from CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019 indicate that among U.S. high school students who reported dating during the 12 months before the survey:
About 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence
About 1 in 12 experienced sexual dating violence
Some teens are at greater risk than others. Female students experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence than male students. Students who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) or those who were unsure of their gender identity experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence compared to students who identified as heterosexual.”
Two interventions (or responses) to this type of deviant behavior
There is a great toolkit that is put out by the Veto Violence CDC government group called the Dating Toolkit. Here are the seven basic components of the kit:
“Dating Matters Seven Component Model
- Youth Programs
- Parent Programs
- Youth Communications Program
- Training for Educators
- Capacity Assessment and Planning Tool
- Guide to Using Indicator Data
- Guide to Informing Policy” (No author given, 2024)
Another great toolkit to prevent dating violence is learning how to recognize and prevent stalking between men and women.
“Using technology to communicate has its conveniences. However, it can also make it easier for people to harass others in ways that might be frightening and threatening. Other stalking tactics can include:
- Using technology (e.g., camera, computer software) to spy on the victim from a distance.
- Using GPS technology to monitor or track the victim’s location.
- Contacting the victim via phone calls (including hang-ups and voicemails), texts, email, social media, or photo messages.” (No author given, 2024)
Data shows that most stalking victims know their stalkers from past partners or friends.
"Stalking victims usually know their stalkers. Data from NISVS showed that the most common perpetrators were intimate partners or acquaintances for both female and male victims.” (No author given, 2024)
In conclusion, it is obvious that intimate partner violence is a real threat to a lot of people, and a lot of deviant behavior can be the start of what can escalate into more complex problems. These problems can continue into adulthood if not taken care of in adolescence.
References
Chang, D., Castro, P., 2024, Capital Weekly, A Terrible Choice: Domestic Violence or No Place to live, https://capitolweekly.net/a-terrible-choice-domestic-violence-or-no-place-to-live/
No author given, 2024, CDC, About Teen Dating Violence, https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/about-teen-dating-violence.html
No author given, 2024, Veto Violence/CDC, Dating Matters Toolket, https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/dating-matters-toolkit/content/get-started#main
No author given, 2024, CDC: Intimate Partner Violence Prevention, About Stalking, https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/about-stalking.html
SOC324 Unit 7 DB: Taboos and Sexual Norms, POST University, September 2024
SOC324 Unit 7 DB: Taboos and Sexual Norms
U.S. Society has many taboos and norms around sexuality and sexual behaviors. Identify three of these and discuss how these taboos and norms assist in determining "appropriate" sexual behaviors and deviant ones.
1. Homosexual couples and same sex marriage and adopting children
Same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states in the United States. Despite this being legal, there are still many people do not agree with this practice.
“Lesbian and gay parented families may have concerns about discrimination in parenting and custody arrangements. A parent’s minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity status may be brought up in custody disputes as a reason to restrict or deny custody by the children’s other parent and/or by the courts.” (No author given, 2023)
2. Transgender
I think that more open and forward-thinking societies have come to accept transgender people in general society.
“Roughly eight-in-ten U.S. adults say there is at least some discrimination against transgender people in our society, and a majority favor laws that would protect transgender individuals from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces. At the same time, 60% say a person’s gender is determined by their sex assigned at birth, up from 56% in 2021 and 54% in 2017.” (Parker, K., Brown, A., 2022)
There are still many people who don’t think that people should be transgender, especially in sports.
“Antitransgender sports legislation often requires that all students be on sports teams and compete in sports competitions based on their gender assigned at birth. These efforts assume that transgender girls—often framed as cisgender boys claiming to be girls—hold biological advantages in girls’ sports, effectively undermining fairness in sports.” (No author given, 2023)
3. Extra Marital Affairs
It appears that the acceptance or unacceptance of extra marital affairs seems to depend on location, historical timeframe, whether it is a man or a woman having the affair or if there is a religious beliefs involved.
“Social sanctions against extramarital sex are found in the majority of societies. In some, such as modern Islam, the punishment for offenders can be severe. In certain states of the USA adultery, to use the legal term, is still a criminal offence, though rarely prosecuted as such. Most primitive societies restrict extramarital sex and in the exceptions limits are usually set as to who can be involved (Ford & Beach 1952). In general, the taboo against extramarital sex is greater than that against premarital sex. Another manifestation of the ‘double standard’ is that extramarital activity by husbands tends to be more accepted than that by wives.” (Bancroft, J., 2009)
How have sexual taboos or norms transformed over time?
It appears that American have become more accepting of many behaviors that were frowned upon or considered taboo in the past. Examples of these behaviors are:
Gay and lesbian relations; Having a baby outside of marriage; Sex between an unmarried man and woman; Divorce; Polygamy; Sex between teenagers
“Over the past two decades, Gallup has documented a significant increase in the percentage of Americans who say that sexual behavior outside of marriage, divorce, polygamy, and gay and lesbian relations are morally acceptable. The reasons for these changes are not clear, and the consequences for society and America's future are also not fully determinable. Certain real-world changes such as the decline in marriage and birth rates are, however, clearly measurable, and it's reasonable to assume that shifts in normative expectations about sexual behavior and marriage are part of these shifts.”
Question to classmates: If you found out that a good friend or family member was transgender, what would your reaction be?
References
Bancroft, J., 2009, Science Direct, Extramarital Sex, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/extramarital-sex
Newport, F., 2024, Gallup Polls, Continuing Change in the US Views on Sex and Marriage, https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/351326/continuing-change-views-sex-marriage.aspx
No author given, 2023, AAMFT, Same Sex Parents and Their Children, https://www.aamft.org/AAMFT/consumer_updates/same-sex_parents_and_their_children.aspx
No author given, 2023, American Psychological Association, Transgender Exclusion in Sports,
https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-exclusion-sports
Parker, K., Brown, A., 2022, Pew Research Center, American’s Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/06/28/americans-complex-views-on-gender-identity-and-transgender-issues/
SOC324 Deviant Behavior: Unit 5 Assignment: News Article Reflection, POST University, September 2024
Bernie Madoff:
How Did One Man Fool So Many People?
What Did the World Learn?
Jackie Phillips
Sociology, Post University
SOC324 Deviant Behavior
Unit 5 Assignment: News Article Reflection
Professor Joshelle Jackson
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST, Sunday of Unit 5
Bernie Madoff:
How Did One Man Fool So Many People?
What Did the World Learn?
Find one news story on organized and white-collar crime and write a two-page reflection on it, including the following:
A summary of the news story
Bernie Madoff ran an investment company that swindled people out of over $50 billion dollars in over 20 years. He was arrested in 2008 and given a life sentence for over 150 years. He died in 2008 in prison from cancer.
“Madoff was effectively given a life sentence – 150 years – and his brother, Peter, who also worked for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, received a prison sentence of 10 years. Madoff was also ordered to pay nearly $200 billion in restitution, but that order from the court was essentially meaningless, as Madoff’s assets at that time couldn’t begin to cover the amount.” (CFI Teams, 2024)
Clear identification of the deviant behavior and its effect on society
Madoff steered his multi-billion dollar corporation to defraud investors from all over the world from the United States to the Persan Gulf.
“Buttressed by elaborate account statements and a deep reservoir of trust from his investors and regulators, Mr. Madoff steered his fraud scheme safely through a severe recession in the early 1990s, a global financial crisis in 1998 and the anxious aftermath of the terrorist attacks in September 2001. But the financial meltdown that began in the mortgage market in mid-2007 and reached a climax with the failure of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 was his undoing.” (Henriques, D., 2021)
An explanation of the cause of the behavior
The reasons for Madoff’s behavior and ultimate crimes are numerous. He had other businesses that failed, and he was also head of the NADASQ Stock Exchange and he may have wanted to show that he was capable of being a great manager. Bernie Madoff's motives for creating his Ponzi scheme were complex and included a mix of factors, such as:
Ego: Madoff may have wanted to be seen as a member of the elite Wall Street crowd.
Selfishness: Madoff may have believed he could keep the scheme going for as long as he lived.
Concern for others: Madoff may have wanted to protect his sons from the fraud.
Failed legitimate business: Madoff may have used the Ponzi scheme to prop up his legitimate business, which was starting to fail.
Two interventions (or responses) to this type of deviant behavior
The Inspector General, David Kotz reviewed many of the reports about what was trying to be done at the time that the complaints were being filed about Madoff. He found that there were many errors and discrepancies in the investigations.
“In Kotz’s subsequent Sept. 29, 2009 report, “Program Improvements Needed Within the SEC’s Division of Enforcement,” (see sidebar after story) he wrote that “Enforcement staff assigned to investigate Madoff were inexperienced and the investigation suffered from a lack of supervision, which had consequences for the investigation.”” (Carozza, D., 2010)
The SEC published a list of improvements they tell the public they are making after the Madoff Ponzi scheme, but according to the watchdog groups, these changes have not been made to prevent another disaster like the one Bernie Madoff was able to pull off.
“Barbara Roper, investor protection director for the Consumer Federation of America, said, "There are a lot of lessons that should have been learned from the Madoff Ponzi scheme, some of which may have been learned better than others." (White, M., 2021)
Conclusion
The biggest difference in white collar crime compared to regular street crime is the massive, multi-department, multi-state and multi-country effort and organization needed to investigate and document everything that is going on. These investigations can take years to investigate and prosecute, which obviously affects the eventual outcome. With all the correct groups and departments and agencies involved, these crimes can be found and prosecuted and eventually found guilty.
References
Carozza, D., 2010, Fraud Magazine, SEC Watchdog Monitors Agency’s Progress after Madoff Case, https://www.fraud-magazine.com/article.aspx?id=4294967550
CFI Teams, 2024, Corporate Finance Institute, Bernie Madoff, https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/bernie-madoff/#:~:text=Things%20fell%20apart%20in%202008,a%20couple%20of%20hundred%20million
Henriques, D., 2021, New York Times, Bernard Madoff, Architect of the Largest Ponzi Scheme in History is Dead at 82, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/business/bernie-madoff-dead.html
White, M., 2021, NBC News, Madoff Exploited Weak Oversight, but did regulators learn their lesson?”, https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/madoff-exploited-weak-oversight-did-regulators-learn-their-lesson-n1264094