Does the sociological perspective encourage us to view people as victims?

Question

Victims as in: ones who are in the wrong but provide excuses claiming that they were the ones being victimized to keep themselves out of trouble.

Answer 1

No, not at all. Sociology aims to provide explanations for why people may do certain things, but these should by no means be taken for excuses. We try to explain what drives people to break norms, but we also believe in both positive and negative sanctions. Again - sociology explains, it doesn't excuse.

Answer 2

I think a "social perspective" encourages us to view, and BE victims. The 80s and 90s were the decades of victims: sexual abuse, domestic abuse, crime, sexual harrassment, etc. Yes, all those things are real and yes, they are awful.

But, the media plays a large role here in not only reflecting our views but magnifying them. Another reflection and more magnification. Once we become convinced we are 'victims', we are absolved of a lot of our responsibilites.

We can stay in self-pity, depression, bitterness, hate, negativity, and bigotry. We no longer have to move on and grow up. We are VICTIMS so have a right to those feelings. And we don't have to move on and people expecting us to are insensitive, they don't understand, they haven't walked in our shoes, blah, blah, blah.

Don't confuse public attitudes with sociological perspectives. This too, shall pass and with any luck, sociology will be able to provide us with a genuine perspective seen through the prism of time.