In the context of deviance and social inequality, individuals in power often escape consequences for their actions due to their ____, which allows them to maintain their social status and avoid being labeled as deviant.

In the context of deviance and social inequality, individuals in power often escape consequences for their actions due to their privilege. Privilege refers to the advantages that certain people have over others because of their social status, wealth, or position. This means that when powerful individuals engage in behavior that might be considered deviant, such as corruption or unethical practices, they often receive leniency or forgiveness from society. For example, a wealthy businessperson might avoid jail time for fraud because they can afford top lawyers and have connections that influence the legal system. As a result, they maintain their social status and the public often overlooks their deviant actions, reinforcing the inequality between different social groups.