Menace II Society, a film about a young black man who has lived the "hustler" lifestyle and struggles to leave it, is a perfect example of deviance since the main character , Caine Lawson, and the characters around him violate many of society's norms. Throughout the film, the characters swear incessantly, carry guns and drugs like most people carry cell phones, regularly commit street crimes, particularly burglaries and muggings, and beat and kill people unscrupulous. The following quote shows how deviant Caine and the other characters in this film were: “[Caine] came into the store just to get a beer. He became an accomplice to murder and armed robbery. It's funny like that in the neighborhood sometimes. You never knew what was going to happen or when” (Albert Hughes). Why would Caine consider these crimes "funny", or rather so insignificant? What made Caine become so deviant? The answers to these questions were incorporated into the plot of the film and will be discussed in the following paragraphs. Growing up, Caine became associated with groups that participated in drug trafficking and street crimes. As he himself explains, “my father sold drugs and my mother was a heroin addict… Growing up with parents like that, I heard a lot and saw a lot. I very quickly discovered the criminal life. Instead of keeping me out of trouble, they made me do it” (Hughes). Thus, Caine's deviance can be attributed to the theory of differential associations. He spent his entire life associating with groups that continually violated norms and imposed negative sanctions on him for trying to conform to them. For example, O-Dog, one of Caine's friends, called Caine a "little bitch" when Caine said he didn't want to shoot any children... middle of paper ..... The session was interrupted because he was shot and killed in a car because he ignored a girl who claimed to be pregnant with his child and attacked his cousin. Caine reflects on his life of deviance as he dies: "I've done too much to go back, and I've done too much to go on." I guess in the end it all catches up with you. My grandfather once asked me if I cared if I lived or died. Yes, I do. Now it's too late” (Hughes). Although deviance may be relative, it can be harmful, as in the case of Cain. However, it should always be kept in mind that people do not simply choose to be deviant – many social factors play a role in deviant behavior – people are not simply born deviant and therefore deserve the chance to escape the outcast of society. Company. Real. Albert Hugues. Perf. Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu. New Line Home Video, 1993. DVD.