Sociology of Punishment

The sociology of punishment examines how societies respond to behavior deemed unacceptable, focusing on the social factors influencing punishment practices. It explores how laws, penalties, and correctional systems reflect and reinforce social norms, inequalities, and power structures. By studying patterns of punishment, sociologists seek to understand its role in maintaining social order, controlling marginalized groups, and shaping collective definitions of right and wrong. Essentially, it looks at punishment not just as individual retribution but as a social phenomenon influenced by cultural, economic, and political contexts.