How can crime and deviance be explained?

Crime and deviance can be explained through a variety of different theoretical explanations. In order to maximise the marks you could gain if a question like this comes up, you will need to be aware of the different types of theoretical viewpoints (i.e. Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism etc), and also understand, and be able to explain the theories certain sociological thinkers have developed. For example, functional explanations of crime and deviance incorporate explanations from Durkheim, who believed crime and deviance was inevitable, Cohen, who focussed on other functions of crime and deviance, and Hirschi, who developed 'control theory'. While being able to explain their theories is all well and good, candidates should also be able to critique these theories with relevant and interesting ideas. These critiques could simply be a critique of the theory itself- so for example with Durkheim it could be argued that Durkheim doesn't explain how much of deviance is needed for society to function successfully, or that crime doesn't always promote solidarity, instead it may have the opposite effect leading to people becoming isolated e.g. forcing women to stay indoors for fear of attack. OR, you could critique functionalism as a whole. For example, "Functionalism looks at what functions crime serves for society as a whole and ignores how it might affect different groups or individuals within society. As a result, it must be questioned whether solidarity reinforced within the victim".