Question #1
According to Berbrier, how do marginalized groups move from deviants to minorities?
According to Berber, people move from deviants to minorities to accepted classes of people, based on time and laws that change that allow people to live equally, without any restrictions. Whether a behavior is deviant depends on the individual viewpoint and beliefs of that person. A person standing right next to them may have a completely different viewpoint.
"A Brief History of the Broadening "Minority" Concept in America "Frequently 'minority' indicates only races (African Americans) or ethnic populations (Hispanics, Asians). At times, it extends to occupationally subordinated groups (e.g. women) and socially isolated populations. Multiracial persons (biracial) and economically depressed persons (unemployed, poor)... Sexual orientation, physical handicapped status, and being white and male or female are similarly classified." (Berber, M., 2015)
If a person feels marganilized, then their reaction to this injustice in their minds might cause deviant behavior like violence and public displays. We have moved in history in the last 100 years where many groups of people who were considered deviant just by their lifestyles, origin of birth or color of skin. Because people spoke out and said that these beliefs were wrong, such of Martin Luther King, Jr., then people were able to look at the other sides and see real people and real families.
If people are living separate from people that they consider deviant, they don't have a choice to get to know them as human beings. Once people live side by side with people who are different from them, then they finally have a chance to understand and accept people for who they are.
This acceptance is for all people who choose to perform behaviors that might not be accepted at that time, such as woman playing sports, or people of cultures that speak out for their freedoms.
"Yes, women in sports are often considered deviant behavior, but this is a harmful stereotype that is not supported by evidence:
Traditional gender norms
Sports are often considered a masculine realm, and women are often excluded from or labeled as deviant if they do not conform to traditional gender norms.
Media portrayal
The media often portrays female athletes in a way that focuses on their appearance, private lives, and sexuality, rather than their athletic achievements.
Female/athlete paradox
The female/athlete paradox refers to the struggle that women face to establish an identity that is both feminine and athletic." (Paloian, A., 2016)
"Racial marginalization compounds the power imbalances that affect racially minoritized youth's ability to meet the developmental and self‐actualization tasks prescribed to produce a healthy, thriving, productive citizen." (Bounds, D., 2022)
In conclusion, people make a choice how to respond to society around them. They respond to laws and whether to follow them or not. People make choices to remain silent about behaviors that society might not accept at that time and they choose to stand out and say, "This is OK for women to play sports and to be equals."
References:
Berber, M., 2015, Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, Disempowering Minorities, https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2805&context=jssw
Bounds, D., 2022, National Library of Medicine, A Resistance Framework for Racially Minoritized Youth Behaviors During the Transition to Adulthood, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9543550/
Paloian, A., 2016, New York University, The Female/Athlete Paradox: Managing Traditional Views of Masculinity and Femininity, https://wp.nyu.edu/steinhardt-appsych_opus/the-femaleathlete-paradox-managing-traditional-views-of-masculinity-and-femininity/#:~:text=Although%20social%20boundaries%20appear%20to,Ross%20&%20Shinew%2C%202008).
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Question #2
Pick two marginalized groups and describe how they are framed as deviant in our society.
I will pick two groups called gays and transgenders to show how they are framed as deviant.
Society will typically marginalize people who are different from them both inside and outside and their accepted behavior. Human history is long with groups of people who behave and look and act different than others. Gays and transgenders fall into group. So many people see the differnce in these two groups because people view these behaviors as choices, rather than birth traits like skin color or religion. To others, gays and transgender behavior is believed to be a trait a person is born with.
"In a forceful statement contending that homosexuals do constitute a minority group, Kameny does not even consider the possibility of homosexuals changing into heterosexuals, nor does he raise the question of whether homosexuals are born or made.8 Homophile organizations and many homosexuals, however, claim that homosexual inclinations either are genetic or result from irreversible childhood experiences, and in either case they are powerless with therapeutic intervention, efforts of the will or by any other means, to change them." (Hacker, H., 1971)
Gays and transgender are still being considered deviant behavior in many parts of the United States and other countries. However, luckily, in other areas of the US, like California, gays and transgenders are accepted and allowed to express their unique. San Francisco has a long standing yearly Gay Pride Parade that goes down the center of Market Street and continues for hours. Open expression is allowed.
"Homosexuality has long been a controversial and stigmatized topic in many societies worldwide. It is considered by many as a deviant behavior, one that goes against the normative expectations of gender roles and sexual preferences. Despite decades of scientific research showing that homosexuality is a natural and normal variation of human sexuality, many continue to view it with suspicion and prejudice. This essay explores homosexuality as a deviant behavior, the future of homosexuality, its importance, and conflict and solutions that arise from it." (No author, 2024)
There used to be a time in US history that gay and transgender behavior was illegal. There is a difference in whether something is deviant or illegal. Luckily we live in a current society that views gay and transgender as a behavior that people can choose to accept or not accept. I am not aware of places where the lifestyles are illegal. I remember a time when they were illegal and when people were trying to make them illegal, but luckily that was eventually stopped.
One of my biggest heros in the last century is Billie Jean King, who not only took on a male tennis player in a tournament and beat him, she also lived an openly gay lifestyle and eventually was able to marry her long standing partner.
In conclusion, whether a behavior or lifestyle is considered deviant, depends on the unique viewpoint of that single person that objects to that behavior. The person who is expressing that behavior may feel different and have no hesitation in their expression.
Resources:
Hacker, H., 1971, Umnlibraries, Homosexuals: Deviant or Minority Group, https://umnlibraries.manifoldapp.org/read/hacker/section/cc782632-5cc9-4b5c-9508-689fa9b9959c
No author, 2024, Psychology Writing Today, Homosexuality as a Deviant Behavior, https://psychologywriting.com/homosexuality-as-a-deviant-behavior/
