Analysis Of Labeling Theory

In the article Labeling Theory, issues are raised regarding children being labeled within the school system and how these labels affect them academically as well as socially. This essay aims to demonstrate what labeling theory is, how it is used, and the long term effects of an individual being labeled.
Labeling theory looks at the individual and interactions between that individual and the society in which that individual belongs, that may cause this individual to be labeled. Labeling theory looks at tracking, teacher expectancy, race, ethnicity, gender, and social class. According to the article, all of these factors are a part of what an individual is labeled as. The individual that is labeled as a deviant is not labeling themselves, rather

These issues are important to understand so that they may be addressed. However, I find that this is an ideal and would be nearly impossible to implement in reality. We cannot control what other individuals do subconsciously and therefore labeling is going to occur regardless. In contrast, I think that sociologists and academics can find a way to possibly work better with students equally, so that every individual is given the self-esteem needed to achieve better goals for themselves. These labels tend to stay with individuals for a lifetime and for the ones who have been labeled as deviant, stupid, or slow can be detrimental in their future and eventually they will believe themselves to be these specific labels that were assigned to them in school. A functionalist would say that labels are necessary within the educational system, because it separates individuals and social classes. Therefore, the students that are labeled as dumb or slow will take up the jobs in society that the intellectuals or elite should not, because they are focused on the advanced careers and maintaining society intellectually. In contrast, a conflict theorist would say that this is inequality and every student should have a fair chance at education without a bias from an authority figure that should be mentoring these students. They would imply that social

We can see through what labeling an individual can do to affect their academic experience as well as their social experience. When a person of authority is involved in an individual’s life they create a powerful impact on that individual. If that impact is in a negative manner, there will most likely be a negative effect in the future of that individual and the opposite with positive encouragement from an authority figure. This essay demonstrated how labeling theory is defined within the educational system and how authority figures can impact a student’s life in a negative or positive fashion. While I agree that labeling theory happens and the effects of this do happen, I do not agree that this accounts for the