Norm
In violation of social order, I chose to hold hands, in a public place, with a person of the same sex for an extended period of time. Such action is significant in the sense that social orientation is a major social disorder facing the modern society. Gay or lesbian marriages constantly appear in news headlines. Although the law is clear as regards the rights of persons, the society is struggling to embrace public expression of affection involving persons of the same sex (Kornblum, 2011). A major example is the issue concerning the church and gay priests. Some church denominations have embraced gay priests but majority of churches have publicly spoken out against allowing gay priests to retain their positions in church.
Social norms are behavioral rules that the society applies to assess the population. Social norms are specific to regions. A behavior that is considered unacceptable in one society may not generate a storm in other societies (Posner, 2002). Same sex orientation may not create an observable reaction outside the church environment.
Setting
I chose a church situation as an environment in which the violation of the norm would occur. This choice was informed by variation of sensitivity and reaction to violation of norms in different environments (Adorno, 2002). Religion is an important regulatory factor as regards social norms. The church always promptly reacts to behaviors considered immoral in society. Therefore, this action would be best performed within the church’s physical environment and during a church function. The choice was based on the likelihood of obtaining a clear observation of the reaction from the public. I chose a Sunday service in a church that neither I nor my partner is affiliated to, just in case we were expelled from the church. We would make an entry into the church hall after the sermon is on and the church is settled, and choose a seat at the front.
Personal Reaction
I was bit skeptical about the possibility of a favorable outcome as I planned the action. I thought that perhaps the action would not even be noticed. I ensured that I and my partner wore cloths that bore noticeable colors. I thought it may not generate an observable reaction and so I prepared thoroughly. On that day and moment, we made a timely entry into the church hall and walked straight to the front holding hands and sat on chairs adjacent to one another. While seated we held our hands for approximately 20 minutes. During that moment I felt uncomfortable because I new we were creating a scene and so interrupting the normal proceedings of the church. In addition, this was the first time I had held hands with a person of the same sex for an extended period of time. In the end I felt as though I was guilty for breaking a law.
Public Reaction to the Violation of the Norm
The priest could watch us as we entered the church; the congregation noticed that there was something wrong as the preacher briefly halted his sermon as he observed us. The church’s attention was turned on us until we were seated. Even then, the people who were seated in front of us constantly turned back to look at us as our hands were still held together. It was clear that they were surprised by our behavior. Those seated next to each other whispered in conversation in what seemed discussions about us. The preacher was not direct in his comments about our behavior but his sermon included anti-homosexual remarks. In his description of the “end times” he said that strange things would happen, citing gay-marriages as one such signal. In the way he looked at our direction, it was clear that he was not impressed by our behavior.
Conclusion
The violation served as an important lesson. A social organization depends on norms that serve as commonly accepted rules of behavior that ensure social order Kring, Johnson, Davison, & Neale, 2010). The rules are what determine whether and how a social group would control itself. Social control is a set of understandings and rules that regulate the behavior of persons in society. They ensure a cohesive and peaceful coexistence among members of a social group. It is possible that we would be summoned to appear before a church counselor if we bumped onto a church leader after the service.
Humans are social being and individual actions affect relations in the whole group and a person cannot exist independently in a society (Hechter & Horne, 2009). Social norms form the basis for expectations as regards individual behavior (Kornblum, 2011). The assignment is a practical method of teaching norms and social order. Public reactions are an unforgettable experience though caution must be taken as extreme violation of norms may cause an embarrassing and sometimes, dangerous reaction.
References
Adorno, T. (2002). “Introduction to Sociology”. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press
Hechter, M. & Horne, C. (2009). “Theories of Social Order: A Reader (2nd ed.)”. Palo Alto, CA:
Stanford University Press
Kornblum, W. (2011). “Sociology in a Changing World”. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Kring, A., Johnson, S., Davison, G. & Neale, J. (2010). “Abnormal Psychology (11th ed.).
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Posner, E. (2002). “Law and Social Norms”. New York, NY: Harvard University Press
