Functionalism and crime

This episode gives an overview of functionalist perspectives on crime and deviance, primarily through the lens of a sociology podcast episode and a supporting video. They highlight Émile Durkheim's assertion that crime is both inevitable and functional for society, serving to maintain boundaries and facilitate social change. The sources further explain Robert Merton's Strain Theory, which suggests that societal anomie arises when individuals lack legitimate means to achieve cultural goals, leading to various adaptations, including criminal innovation. Overall, the materials collectively explore how functionalism views crime not merely as a negative societal ill, but as a complex phenomenon with identifiable social functions