Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Since the early studies of sociology, crime has been considered normal. It was though to be impossible for any society free of it to exist. In his essay title “Defining Deviancy Down”, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan states that “By defining what is deviant, we are enabled to know what is not, and hence to live by shared standards.”(Moynihan, p.17) The complication with deviancy in this case comes when societies choose to overlook or not notice behavior that would usually be controlled, disapproved or punished. According to Moynihan, this is what the United States has been doing as of late.

The deviant behavior recognized in today’s society has increased beyond levels of normality based on earlier standards. Because communities cannot afford to be recognized at this abnormal level, deviancy in such areas have been and continue to be re-defined in order to exempt such conduct. Moynihan presents us with three categories of redefinition in these regards; they are the altruistic, the opportunistic, and the normalizing. The altruistic category can be illustrated by the deinstitutionalization movement within the mental health profession that appeared in the 1950’s. The opportunistic category “is seen in the interest group rewards derived from the acceptance of “alternative” family structures” (Moynihan, p.19) and the normalizing category is to be observed in the growing acceptance of unprecedented levels of violent crime.

The deinstitutionalization movement began in 1955, when Averell Harriman, was governor of New York, the commissioner of mental hygiene was, Dr. Paul Hoch. Dr. Hock described of a development of tranquilizers in one of the state mental hospitals. It appeared to be an effective treatment for many psychotic patients and increased the number of patient discharges. In that same year the Joint Commission on Mental Health and Illness was formed to “formulate “comprehensive and realistic recommendations” in this area, which was then a matter of considerable public concern.” (Moynihan, p.20) The problem faced was that the population if mental institutions continued to grow and more and more facilities were being built. With the discovery of tranquilizers the amount of mental patients, “confined against their will and awareness”, was reduced.

In 1961, The Congressional Commission submitted its report, proposing a nationwide program of deinstitutionalization. President Kennedy stated “If we apply our medical knowledge fully, all but a small portion of the mentally ill can eventually achieve a wholesome and constructive social adjustment.” (Moynihan, p.20) Senator Moynihan writes that “There is no reason to believe that any real increase in mental illness at the time deinstitutionalization began. Yet there is such a perception, and this enabled good people to try to do good, however unavailing in the end.” (Moynihan, p.20)

The opportunistic mode of re-definition reveals a nominal intent to do good; really to do well, which is a long established motivation among people. Moynihan writes that “a growth in deviancy makes possible a transfer of resources, including prestige, to