Introduction
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has radically changed people’s attitudes to the behavioral norms prevailing in society and the state, which indicates the next stage of transformation of previously existing acceptable behavior in society. In this regard, we can safely talk about deviant behavior, deviation, and deviant behavior. There are many interpretations of deviant behavior, deviation, and deviant behavior in scientific literature.
Many authors, comparing these concepts, recognize them as identical; others load them with different meanings. In this paper, the definition of Saadeh et al. will be used, which puts into these concepts the meaning of deviations from established or established societal norms, considering them synonymous, equivalent, and interchangeable (212). The pandemic clearly demonstrates various deviations from the established rules of behavior and the public’s reaction to the emerging transformations. Therefore, quarantine caused an increased incidence of deviant behavior.
In March 2020, restrictive measures were introduced throughout the United States. The majority of residents stayed at home, leaving only for the most urgent needs; most were transferred to remote work and training (Mazza et al. 187). A mask mode and social distance were introduced, which remained relevant for quite a long time. Despite all the measures the state took, it was still impossible to avoid the spread of a new coronavirus infection.
However, due to the imposed self-isolation regime, many US residents lost their jobs, thereby losing their only source of livelihood. Entirely a large number of enterprises ceased their activities, and the number of unemployed increased (Liu et al. 13). Small businesses were closed, worsening the economic situation in the country, leaving their employees unemployed and thereby replenishing the ranks of the unemployed. According to the data for 2020, the number of registered crimes in the United States by the end of the year increased by 1%, and for grave and especially grave acts — by 14% at once (Mazza et al. 190). This situation was typical for almost the whole world.
Domestic Violence as Reaction to Restrictions
At the very beginning of the introduction of restrictive measures, domestic violence became one of the most acute problems. During the quarantine, many began to drink alcohol in large quantities, becoming more aggressive and losing control over themselves, which aggravated the situation. People became more irritating to each other, and the more aggressive ones took out their anger on women and children. In the USA, after the introduction of quarantine in March 2020, the demand for alcoholic beverages increased sharply by 30-40% (Liu et al. 5). Due to prolonged isolation from society, job loss, and fear of the unknown, stress and depression appeared. Many people began to show deviant behavior, which took the form of domestic violence.
The common reason for committing serious crimes was stress against the background of quarantine. In particular, in the UK, a 69-year-old resident of the city of Cumbrance was accused of murdering his wife on the fifth day after local authorities announced the introduction of quarantine due to an outbreak of coronavirus. Husband and wife lived amicably and were devoted to each other for many years (Paak et al. 44).
Meanwhile, in Texas, during quarantine, a man shot five people with a hunting rifle. According to investigators, on April 4, 2020, at about 22:00, a man born in 1988 remarked on the balcony of his apartment to a group of people talking loudly on the street under his windows (Mazza et al. 180). After a verbal altercation, he took a gun, left the house, and shot four men and a woman. All of them died from their injuries. This is not the only such situation in the United States. For example, in Alabama, an attempted murder was prevented during a fight between two men who were intoxicated in an entrance quarantine due to coronavirus (Liu et al. 14). There is an apparent deviation from the usual way of life behavior that develops into criminal.
Reaction to Mask Regime
Another striking example of negative behavior in response to the introduction of new rules and requirements is the reaction to wearing masks. Undoubtedly, the mask regime was introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus infection. However, due to their beliefs, some citizens categorically refuse to comply with the authorities’ requirements and urge them to follow their example, thereby endangering others (Vilalta et al. 726).
On social networks, they publish videos that try to convince everyone that there is no disease, and manufacturers of medicines and masks earn money from this. For example, in Los Angeles, a grocery store customer had a dispute with a saleswoman who refused to serve her without a mask (Liu et al. 3). The girl returned with a guy who brutally beat an employee of the store, and she ended up in the hospital. Such deviants argue their point of view because pharmacies have increased prices for medicines and medical masks.
On this basis, conflicts often arise in commercial enterprises and in public places between those who observe the mask regime and those who do not believe in its effectiveness. Frequently, these collisions occur with brute force and aggression (Liu et al. 5). Many people are tired of being constantly restricted. They have become more aggressive in responding to demands to put on a mask or observe social distance, and they have begun to take out their aggression on employees.
The situations cited in the literature demonstrate deviant behavior for the quarantine measures introduced. They have changed the usual way of life and are not accepted by a part of society as the norm (Vilalta et al. 729). This entails the commission of offenses that develop into the category of criminal—transformations associated with deprivation and restrictions in various spheres of life, causing adverse reactions in society. Therefore, deviation manifests itself especially strongly.
Conclusion
Based on the above, it can be concluded that many citizens begin to behave defiantly when their natural habitual way of life is violated. Deviant behavior begins when people are restricted in something and forced to leave their comfort zone. One of the factors that reinforce the deviant behavior of citizens is fear. People are worried that they may get infected by another person’s fault, and they feel despair because there is no exact date for when this situation will end. As a result, many people, due to depression against the background of restrictions, become aggressive and even dangerous. It is advisable to conduct explanatory work with citizens to deter deviant behavior. It is also necessary to strengthen general and individual prevention and implement state measures to support people without a source of existence.
Works Cited
Liu, Yingyan, et al. “The Influence of the COVID-19 Event on Deviant Workplace Behavior Taking Tianjin, Beijing and Hebei as an Example.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 59, 2021, pp. 1–16. Web.
Mazza, Marianna, et al. “Danger in Danger: Interpersonal Violence during COVID-19 Quarantine.” Psychiatry Research, vol. 298, no. 113046, 2020, pp. 177–192. Web.
Paak, Yok-Fong, et al. “Predictors of General Deviance in the Context of COVID-19.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 2, no. 7, 2023, pp. 42–47. Web.
Saadeh, Heba, et al. “Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on the Sleep Quality and the Depressive Symptom Levels of University Students in Jordan During the Spring of 2020.” Frontiers Psychiatry, vol. 12, no. 16, 2021, pp. 206–213. Web.
Vilalta, Carlos, et al. “The Impact of Anti-COVID-19 Measures on Mexico City Criminal Reports.” Deviant Behavior, vol. 44, no. 5, 2021, pp. 723–737. Web.
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