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Functionalist causes to crime

• Functionalist focus on ways in which crime and deviance can be functional. Durkheim suggests a small amount of crime can have a positive impact on society. If there were no deviance then norms and values would be too strict and nothing would change. I.e Encourages social reform. When we see people doing 'bad' things, it integrates the rest of society i.e. acts as a deterrent and reminds us how not to behave and what the negative consequences might be. I.e reinforces social boundaries. Davis states some crime can act as a safety value for people releasing tension and prevent more serious problems. e.g. engaging in prostitution can release sexual tension with breaking up a family (which is seen as more dysfunctional). Clinard suggests riots may act as a warning,
• cshowing that something is wrong and needs to change.