Social deviance is the violation of social norms. A deviant is someone who rejects popular customs and traditions. Any action that violates the values ​​or rules of a social group is deviant behavior. In order to be effectively characterized as deviant, the individual must be caught committing a deviant act and be stigmatized by society. A stigma is a sign of social disgrace, which distinguishes the deviant from the group. Crime is healthy for society. Deviance affirms our cultural values ​​and norms. Responding to deviance clarifies moral boundaries and brings people together. There will always be people who break the rules of society and that's important. Charles Mason, the leader of the cult "The Manson Family", is an ideal example of social deviance. In Manson's early life he engaged in many deviant acts/crimes; but he is famous for being the cult leader responsible for the murders of Sharon Tate, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit these murders, carried out by members of the "family". Tate, her unborn child and four others were murdered on August 9, 1969 by four cult members. The next night, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were killed in their home. Charles Manson was found guilty on January 25, 1971 and sentenced to death on March 29, 1971. Before his sentence could be carried out, the death penalty was abolished in California, so he is now serving a life sentence. Charles Manson has been called “the most dangerous man” and the “devil.” Charles Manson was an icon in the late 1960s and is still a very well-known person today. Structural strain theory is a theory of deviance that explains deviance as the natural consequence of society's values, norms, and structures. Amer...... middle of paper ......d the importance of social norms, leaving him a victim of anomie. According to Strain Theory, this is why Manson committed the crimes he is so famous for. Works Cited Behnoud. “The Charles Manson Story and “The Family” in Strain Theory.” Sherline, 2005. Web."Charles Manson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 September 2013. Web. 08 December 2013. "Deviance (sociology)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 July 2013. Web. 09 December 2013. .Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Charles Manson." About.com History of the 20th century. Np, nd Web. 07 December 2013. “Sociological Theories to Explain Deviance.” Sociological theories to explain deviance. Np, nd Web. 09 December. 2013. .