Social Controls in Society

In this weeks pod I knew what formal and informal sanctions were due to previous classes that I had taken.  I am not entirely sure if I agree with the text on what it says when it comes to gossiping.  the text had stated that gossiping serves as an effective means of social control.  I personally think that the assumption of that statement is outdated and does not correlate with the times we are in today.  I feel that gossiping can become a mean spirited action that leads to bullying in today's society.  As we have been seeing in the news lately this also leads to teen suicides.  It is being the brunt of such gossip that can take a severe emotional tole on some people.  I also no longer believe that the churches opinion of others can be used as a form of social control given the state of the church and the scandals they have been involved in during recent years.  I think they need to look inside their own house before they can cast judgement on others.  I do know that not all gossipers and church groups have bad intents but there is enough negativity associated with both that leads me not take whole heatedly engage with either groups of people.  I do think that laws are an effective way of maintaining social control when used universally across the board for offenders who commit the same crimes.  If a male and female teacher commit the same crime with a student I feel that they should face the same penalty.