Labeling Theory (Chapter 8)

        As I've stated in my previous blog posts, societies obtain specific norms that citizens follow on an everyday basis. We try to fit in with society by following these specific norms, but when some disobey these norms society has taught us to follow. They're labeled as deviant, and looked down upon by some in society. Someone can be labeled deviant by behavior, appearance, ideas of an individual or specific group that some people in society find offensive. When someone is categorized as a deviant for whatever reason, it changes the way members of a society treat and view the deviant. Therefore, it changes the way the deviant treats and views there self. The Labeling theory is based on the idea that behaviors are deviant only when society labels them as deviant. According to the textbook, the labeling theory states that deviance is the consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an offender; a deviant is an individual to whom the identity "deviant" has been successfully applied (Newman, 252). When a member of society is labeled as a deviant it can lead to other members of society treating them with disrespect, mistrust, rejection, suspicion, and fear. The book gives examples of strangers regarding deviants in this way, as well as, the deviant’s closest family and friends. Society labels deviants in a wide spectrum. A deviant may have a harsh label, such as a child molester, or an irrelevant label such as a smoker. The identification of deviant behavior is in the eye of the beholder. This can lead to false attributes, false pre-conceived notions, false judgments, and misunderstandings of the one labeled as deviant. A real life example of this is the tragic case of Trayvon Martin.

             The shooting of Trayvon Martin, a black 17-year-old staying at a gated community in Sanford, Florida, exploded into national media and sparked wide debate over cultural and racial issues. The Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, 28, was driving though his Orlando-area neighborhood when he called 911 to report "a real suspicious guy," a "black male" walking around. That was Martin, heading back to his home from a gas station. Zimmerman followed Martin, and the two engaged in some sort of argument. One of the two men cried for help before Zimmerman fired one shot into Martin's chest. Zimmerman believed Martin to be up to suspicious activity, and he decided to take the law into his own hands. However, Martin was found only wearing a hooded sweatshirt, carrying a can of iced tea, a bag of Skittles, and his cellphone. George Zimmerman labeled 17 year old Trayvon Martin as deviant. He based these assumptions strictly on his appearance and what Zimmerman viewed to be abnormal and “suspicious” behavior. Zimmerman obviously held the absolutism approach, which defines deviance and that rests on the assumption that all human behavior can be considered either inherently good, or inherently bad. Zimmerman obviously took generic stereotypes, such as a hooded, African America, teenage, boy as a deviant. Because of this misunderstood label a very tragic outcome occurred.

          The problem with the view of deviance is that these labels of deviance can often overgeneralize and be misleading, just like in the case of Trayvon Martin. How do we decide who is deviant? Should they have this categorization for their entire lives? Or, can deviants change over-time? Is our view and attitudes towards deviants in our society, just making the situation worse, and making the offenders act out more? Is society to blame for deviants behaviors? What do you think?