NCJ Number
57422
Date Published
1978
Length
247 pages
Annotation
FORMS OF SOCIAL DEVIANCE COMMONLY THOUGHT OF AS VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE EXAMINED, WITH A VIEW TO ASSESSING THE PRO'S AND CON'S OF DECRIMINALIZATION.
Abstract
THE TEXT OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF DEVIANCE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SOCIAL POLICY--DEFINITIONS, THEORIES, CRITICISMS OF THEORIES, LAW AND MORALITY, THE CONCEPT OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, OVERCRIMINALIZATION AND ITS COSTS TO SOCIETY, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, AND RELATED ISSUES. A SOCIOLOGICAL TYPOLOGY OF DEVIANCE THEORIES IS PROVIDED. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS DEAL SEPARATELY WITH SPECIFIC FORMS OF SOCIAL DEVIANCE: PORNOGRAPHY AND OBSCENITY, PROSTITUTION, HETEROSEXUAL DEVIANCE, HOMOSEXUALITY, VENEREAL DISEASE, FAMILY CONFLICTS (ADULTERY, INCEST, BIGAMY, ETC.), ABORTION; EUTHANASIA, GAMBLING, ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION, MENTAL DISORDERS, AND SUICIDE. EACH CHAPTER COVERS LEGAL HISTORY, DEFINITIONS, STATUTORY PROVISIONS, ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES, CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS, AND ISSUES IN THE DECRIMINALIZATION DEBATE. NOTES ACCOMPANY THE CHAPTERS. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (LKM)