Societal norms are behavioral rules we all live by, but some rules are made to be broken. Learn about social deviance, and how you can practice it in good ways.
There are unspoken rules in society everybody keeps. Sometimes these rules make the world a better place. Sometimes, they are pointless rules we live by just because we are told to and things are better if we break them. Join SpiritualBlossom to explore deviance and why people embrace deviant behavior. Learn how it can be good, and some examples of it you probably see every day. Then find out great ways to be deviant and not destroy society. All it takes is one decision to do what you feel is right instead of what everybody else tells you is, and you’re officially a deviant. Read on to get started!
What Are Social Norms?
Social norms are unwritten rules that tell us what behavior is acceptable in our community or group. They are established patterns of behavior that are understood by everybody. They tell us how we should behave to be socially accepted and to avoid being disapproved of. Things like table manners, and how we should greet each other and say goodbye are societal norms. The way that we dress is also dictated by social norms. When we break those rules, it can make people very uncomfortable.
Some norms are about small things, like how loud it is polite to laugh indoors. Some norms are taboos about hygiene, and what is considered to be a crime. At best we might be laughed at or called rude if we go against these norms. At worst, we can be completely disowned by people. The nation and city where you live will have their own expectations of how you behave. Then the small groups that you belong to will have their own expectations as well. Norms evident by language choice, personal dress style, and things like punctuality or choice of diet make us appear to belong to a group and breaking those make us seem like we don’t belong.
What is Deviance?
Deviance is anything that breaks social norms. It can be something as small as dressing differently than everyone else to something as massive as committing violent crimes. Following social norms conforms to them, and breaking those rejects them. Deviant behavior can result in small scale annoyance, such as frustration over someone talking very loud in a small space. It can result in major social changes as well. Anytime someone protests what they feel is injustice, they are breaking norms with deviant behavior. Such deviance can lead to things like revolutionary societal changes.
Some deviance is simply individualism being expressed by someone who is breaking with a dominant culture and identifying with a subculture. This can happen when someone breaks with family traditions to embrace another religion, or breaking away from a close-knit family and has no contact with any of them. Planting a vegetable garden in a neighborhood that has always been exclusively lawns with zero vegetables is another example of deviance. Deviance is frowned upon by people who don’t want to watch other people do things in unexpected ways, but some deviance like crime can be a major red flag. Find out what to do about red flags in your relationship here: What to Do About Red Flags in Relationships
Why People Break Norms
People break norms with deviant behavior because they believe that what they want to do is more important than other people’s expectations. They may think the norms are unfair, but some norms limit people’s personal freedom. In heteronormative society, homosexuality is persecuted. Some cultures frown upon widowhood or never marrying. Other societies ostracize adults who don’t have children. If you are not somebody who chooses to embrace the lifestyle the norms of your society dictates, you will deviate to live the life you feel is best for you. This is healthy and what you should do.
People who break norms in negative ways do so out of selfishness. Theft, violence, refusing to do your share at work, deliberately neglecting care of your pets, leaving messes for your house mates, or being abusive are all negative deviant behaviors. These behaviors do not benefit anybody, even the person doing them. They create divisions, hardships, and cause permanent breakups in relationships. Breaking norms with deviant behavior doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. It can be used for good to assert individuality, speak against oppression, and create positive change. Find out how to manifest a great life after changes happen here: How to Manifest Your Life After Changes
How Deviance Can Be Good
Deviance can be one of the best things. If you don’t blindly follow the crowd and instead deviate, you think for yourself. Deviance can help you to remain true to who you are. If you don’t allow people to tell you what to think, you can do the right thing even if the crowd is against it. You can also be brave, unafraid of what people say and think if you deviate.
Thinking For Yourself
Some people are comfortable with norms because then they don't have to put any effort into deciding what to do. Not everybody is comfortable with other people telling them what to think. It can be very dangerous if other people have control of your mind. If they have control of your mind they have control of your life. Deviating by thinking for yourself instead of letting people tell you what to think can be a great form of self love. Read about cultivating self love here: Practicing Self Love
Remaining True to Yourself
Everybody is different from everybody else. There are no two people who are exactly like one another. Although you share things in common with the people who you love, you are still a unique individual and there is nobody else just like you. Deviating from the norm by the way you do certain things in your life helps you remain true to who you are. If everyone around you buys everything in neutral beige colors, but you are just crazy about red, buy red things. If everybody in your family participates in sports, but you are a master pianist, play the piano. Be different from other people when you have to, so that you don't compromise who you are.
Doing the Right Thing
Sometimes society does not stand on the side of right. Something called herd mentality takes over. People allow a large group of people to tell them what to do even if it's the wrong thing to do. Have the courage to do what you know is right even if nobody agrees with you. Some of the greatest pioneers in reform like Martin Luther King Junior, Gandhi, and Gloria Steinam have stood for what they felt was right even if other people disagreed with them. You can too when you say yes to the right things even if everyone else says no. Find out how here: The Magical Things That Happen When You Say Yes
Being Unafraid
When you take the chance to deviate against society, you learn to walk with courage. You are not afraid of what other people say or do. You are focused on doing what you feel is right. Being disapproved of might seem scary, but if you are someone who is brave enough to be deviant, you know it's more frightening to go against what you know is right than to let society control you.
Examples of Deviance
Simple positive examples of deviance might surprise you. When you find yourself breaking ugly cycles that other people would like you to continue, that is deviant behavior. When you don’t dress like other people and you speak out about what you feel is right, that's social deviance. When you reject the mentality of the herd and think for yourself that's also deviant behavior. Expressing yourself creatively as also deviant.
Breaking Cycles
Think of the toxic cycles that have been cultivated in your family for generations. Who is going to break that cycle? It could be you. There are people who benefit from their toxic behavior and if you take away their power over you they won't be happy. People will even try to talk you into maintaining things because that's what they're used to. Deviate and break those cycles anyways. One cycle you may need to break is bad romantic relationships. Read how the Zodiac Signs break up here; Breakups with Each of the Signs
Dressing Differently
Are you on the cutting edge of fashion, dressing just like everybody else, or do you dress however you please? Sometimes, you don't want to wear the same clothes that everybody around you wears. You might feel more comfortable dressed up more than other people, and you might feel comfortable wearing vintage fashions from yesteryear. Don't let anybody make you think that you have to dull down your style to look just like everybody else. After all, the best trendsetters were the first deviants in fashion.
Speaking Out
Using your words to express what you feel is unfair, or simply something that needs slight improvement that's one way to deviate. Change can be difficult and a lot of work for people, so some people frown upon those who speak out. They may call you a troublemaker or say that you're making extra work for everybody. However, if you have an idea about how things could be better, use your words and make that way known. You might just make the world a better place by deviating and speaking up. If you are having trouble finding the courage to speak out, read our article on learning to be assertive here: Learn to Be Assertive and Speak Your Truth
Rejecting Herd Mentality
Most people want to belong, so they follow the crowd so that they fit in. However, conforming to the point of shutting off your own mind is very dangerous. You can be held back from opportunities, growth, or just being who you are if you stifle your own voice and thinking to conform with what other people want you to. Don't be afraid to reject what the herd tells you. They may be heading for disaster.
Being Expressive Creatively
Like society embraces certain clothing styles, it also embraces certain art forms. Some art doesn't fit with those styles. If yours doesn't, that's okay. Do it your way anyhow. Some of the most unique artists of all time were thought of as weird when they first presented their work to the public, but they were later celebrated. Even if the whole world doesn't celebrate your art, you must express yourself creatively on your own terms. One of the most creative Zodiac Signs is Aquarius and you can read about them here: Aquarius Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
How to be Deviant
So, if deviance is so important, how can it be done? First you have to stop caring what other people think and then take some chances. Do what's best for you and don't worry about appearances.
Reject Opinions
Sometimes other people's opinions don't matter. When something pertains to you and not them, they might offer an opinion. That doesn't mean you have to care. The only opinion that matters is your own in certain circumstances. So go ahead and ignore what other people have to say and deviate if you feel that that's the best thing to do.
Take Chances
We have all worried about what will happen if we fail, but seldom do we wonder what will happen if we succeed. When you deviate from the norm, you have to take a chance. Especially if what you're about to do has never been done before, it might seem like a terrifying risk. If nobody ever took chances, the first airplane would never have flown. The first computer would have never been built. Nobody would ever create new recipes or new art. So, take a chance. By deviating you may be creating one of the greatest things the world has ever seen. Say yes to taking the right chances. Learn about the magical power of saying yes here: The Magical Things That Happen When You Say Yes
Do What’s Best for You
Society as a whole is not programmed to think about the needs of individuals when they are at odds with what a whole group of people wants. One way to be deviant is to do what is best for you instead of doing what other people expect of you. It might be best for your family if you keep the peace with your toxic abusive family member, but that's not going to help you heal. Sometimes you have to think of yourself and let other people be upset about that. So deviate.
Don’t Worry About Appearances
Anytime you deviate, it makes you stand out and that makes you look bad to some people. Don't worry about that. Worry about the consequences of not doing what you know you need to do. Truthfully, smart people will see you deviating in the right ways and respect and admire you for it, but some people won't. Don’t worry about what other people will think of appearances and have the courage to face being disliked for doing what you feel is right. Learn how here: How to Have the Courage to Be Disliked
Social norms are unspoken rules of society most people follow and breaking from that is deviant behavior. Deviant behavior can be something as small as dressing differently than other people and it can be something as serious as committing crimes. Deviant behavior can be good because it allows you to think for yourself, and stay true to who you are. Reject other people's opinions, take chances, and ignore appearances to practice deviance. We have to cooperate to get along, but that doesn't mean that we all have to be just alike, so it’s okay to be deviant from time to time.
If you're having a hard time finding the courage to go against herd mentality, you can get all the support you need from one of our psychics right here. So, get a reading started anytime any day.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for PaganPages.Org emag.
