Why might certain societies classify behaviors differently regarding deviance?

Certain societies classify behaviors differently regarding deviance largely due to varying cultural norms and values. Each society has its own established standards of behavior shaped by historical, social, religious, and economic influences, which dictate what is considered acceptable or deviant. For example, practices such as arranged marriages, which may be viewed as perfectly normal in some cultures, could be seen as deviant in others where individual choice in marriage is prioritized.

In contrast, the similarity of legal systems between societies does not account for the nuanced interpretations of behaviors within those societies. Universal moral standards are rarely established that apply to all cultural contexts, as morality often varies significantly from one society to another. Additionally, the notion that deviance is inherently wrong across all contexts ignores the subjective nature of societal norms and values, which evolve and differ from one culture to the next. Thus, it is the diversity of cultural frameworks that fundamentally shapes the classification of deviant behaviors.