Question

When a politician is caught cheating on his or her spouse, there are usually serious consequences, and sometimes the politician is forced to resign from office when his or her constituents loudly express their unhappiness with such behavior. According to Emile Durkheim, what function does this reaction serve?

Answer 1

It helps to clarify moral boundaries, reinforcing the idea that marital infidelity is wrong. According to Durkheim, deviance (an action or behavior that violates social norms) can help a society clarify its moral boundaries and promotes social cohesion. In this case, cheating on a spouse would mark immoral behaivour.