Testing a Theory

[Andrew Green]

Well, today is the first day of wearing a kilt to school. This is part taking my supervisor (one of them) up on her encouragement of the idea (and so far, nothing negative), and part deviance research for my sociology paper. Face it guys, wearing a kilt is not the norm in mainstream American society. Hell, I'd say it isn't the norm in any mainstream society any more. So therefore, it falls under the blanket of deviance. I am to record people's reactions, and use them in a brief paper. The way I see it: If I must engage in a conscious deviant act, I might as well make it fun. I am sure that most of you would agree with that one. I also wanted to see if I really could wear a kilt to work, and not get any gruff. So far so good.

[andyfg]

Well, today is the first day of wearing a kilt to school. This is part taking my supervisor (one of them) up on her encouragement of the idea (and so far, nothing negative), and part deviance research for my sociology paper. Face it guys, wearing a kilt is not the norm in mainstream American society. Hell, I'd say it isn't the norm in any mainstream society any more. So therefore, it falls under the blanket of deviance. I am to record people's reactions, and use them in a brief paper. The way I see it: If I must engage in a conscious deviant act, I might as well make it fun. I am sure that most of you would agree with that one. I also wanted to see if I really could wear a kilt to work, and not get any gruff. So far so good.

Well done Andrew! On social deviance, when I am teaching sexuality and marriage (in a course on contemporary moral problems) I use my kilt wearing to illustrate the ideas of social conformity and deviance, the social construction of gender and tolerance of those who differ. You are, of course, right. It does take a certain character to deviate from the norm. I would like to read your paper.

[Andrew Green]

I can always post it when it is finished. It shouldn't be anything overly special... just a deviant act or two, plus people's responses, why I chose that deviance, what factors of my own played a part in what I chose, how I reacted, how I was perceived, and reacted to etc. Plus the respondent's aspects as well. Most reactions so far have been positive, from "nice kilt" to my supervisor's remark of "look at you! Sporran and everything... looks good.", to one of my associates walking up and politely demanding that I let her see the tartan pattern (I am lazily wearing a black overshirt, that is a little oversized over my t-shirt... it has pockets, but since I use it as a very light jacket, I don't tuck it in), then commenting "right on." Utilikilts has come up twice, so people are recognizing the kilt for what it is. I heard one girl snicker in the cafeteria, but it is also someone who I already don't regard as very intelligent, so it didn't raise my opinion any... not my fault that she's not very educated... this person was also part of what could be called an "ethnic minority", so I just won't tolerate her culture, and we'll be on equal grounds. Oh wait, that could be considered racist of me. Does anyone else see a double standard forming there? But that was really the only hitch so far in my day. I may be inclined to wear some of the other kilts for the remainder of the week, to make sure that I can get a good amount of feedback. Heh.

[Southern Breeze]

Would a gathering of deviants be considerd a convergance?

The paper sounds interesting, let us know how it turns out.

[Graham]

what a bunch of deviants we are then! While not kilts, MUGS are mainstream in some cultures such as India, and Phillipines etc.

[pdcorlis]

I'm a deviant? - SWEET!

[Mark Keeney]

Well, today is the first day of wearing a kilt to school. This is part taking my supervisor (one of them) up on her encouragement of the idea (and so far, nothing negative), and part deviance research for my sociology paper. Face it guys, wearing a kilt is not the norm in mainstream American society. Hell, I'd say it isn't the norm in any mainstream society any more. So therefore, it falls under the blanket of deviance. I am to record people's reactions, and use them in a brief paper. The way I see it: If I must engage in a conscious deviant act, I might as well make it fun. I am sure that most of you would agree with that one. I also wanted to see if I really could wear a kilt to work, and not get any gruff. So far so good.

You need a helper that would follow a little behind you to see the reactions of people when they are behind your back. My wife loves to do this just to watch peoples reactions.