Final- labeling - Term Paper Example

Labeling Introduction Labeling can be positive or negative, but more often the latter. Labels are sociological constructs whereby groups characterize other groups and/or individuals whose behavior deviates from their particular norms Hamlin Labeling) For example the dominant members of society such as parents, teachers, police and other authority figures will categorize adolescents who disrupt school, are truant, engage in petty crime, fail to do assigned chores at home and otherwise break the dominant society’s rules as juvenile delinquents( Menna 2007) The norms themselves are not absolute but vary depending on the particular situation and culture and can change over time.

In other words, norms are not rules of what is right, but rather those of what a particular society considers to be right and moral. Also a person may be labeled even if he personally does not break any norms but simply happens to be a member of a group that is regarded to have a propensity for a certain kind of behavior. For example, Indians may be labeled as lazy and alcoholic by white society because culturally they are not used to set work times and some feel alienated and drink excessively out of despair.

This behavior may not apply to every Indian but because of the actions of some the group becomes labeled and stereotyped Labeling Theory Labeling theory postulates that deviant and/or criminal behavior is the result of a self fulfilling prophecy. In other words, people labeled as criminals, substance abusers or engaged in other activities violating dominant society’s norms eventually self identify as such, become more heavily involved in these activities and may even associate with others with similar propensities to form sub cultures.

While I would agree this is true in many cases, this process by no means explains all criminal behavior. For example, people may be engaged in white collar crime such as conversion for years without being discovered let alone labeled. Nevertheless, a group of juveniles may band together and form a gang because of being labeled “good for nothing” by their parents, teachers, police, etc. For various reasons they may not feel comfortable in their traditional home and school environments, such as being subject to physical and psychological abuse, academic standards too high or too low for their abilities, discrimination due to sexual orientation and lack positive role models ( Hargreaves et al Labeling ) Feeling unable to comply with societies’ demands, they may lose self respect or reject the norms imposed on them.

I don’t agree, however that they necessarily live without norms, they just develop different ones. Many join gangs with very strict norms of loyalty rituals, etc. The gang may give them the sense of belonging to a substitute family and they may gain a sense of self respect through making quick money and gaining status within the gang through successful accomplishment of high risk crimes. In this scenario labeling could well have played a part in them seeking out such deviant activity, since if they are going to be labeled as criminals and they feel this is the only avenue open to them to gain the satisfaction they crave they may as well participate in it “full throttle”.

Conclusion Labeling and Globalization We live in a multicultural society as a result of globalization. Thus we have cultural labeling superimposed on socioeconomic class labeling. While norms are necessary for the functioning of society and it is inevitable those of the dominant culture will tend to prevail, it is incumbent on members of that culture to examine their inherited norms carefully and wherever possible to show respect for differing norms of other minorities, socioeconomic classes and groups by making appropriate modifications and accommodations to avoid labeling and stereotyping.

In other words, people should be treated as individuals with an understanding and appreciation of their cultural context. Works Cited1).Hamlin, John Department of Sociology and Anthropology UMD “Labeling Theory” retrieved from www.d.umn.edu/cia/faculty/hamlin/2311Labelin%20Theory.pdf.2) Hargreaves, D.H, Keddie, N. and Ball, S. “Labeling Theories and Social Inequalities of Educational Achievement” retrieved from www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk/Labelling%20Theory.htm.3) Menna, William “Labeling Theory of Juvenile Delinquency An Evaluation” Helium Sept. 15 (2007) retrieved from www.helium.com)Sciences)Social Scciences)Sociology.