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Evaluating Howard Becker's Labeling Theory

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Howard Becker who was created labeling theory in 1963. labeling theory is when a person is labeled by someone and they have accepted the label therefore they start acting the way. This is one of the most important theory in society to understand deviant and criminal behavior. In this society labeling theory is one of the most important ways to understand deviant and criminal behaviour. It begins with the assumption that no act is basically criminal. Criminality established by those in power through the formulation of laws and their interpretation of those laws by police, courts and correctional institutions. The behavior of deviant, their norms and values are totally opposite of the dominant group. Sociologists believe that there is a process of labeling by which deviance will recognize easily. Based on …show more content…

They follow the label as the way they act, and they are not ashamed of being open about it as well. The aspect about the Saints is that they act the same way as the Roughnecks do, but they are not as open as the Roughnecks are, it develops that they would be under the category of primary deviance, which comfort them of society's strain on them to fail. I strongly agree that labeling affects both the saints and the roughnecks, but the roughnecks are more badly affected because even though they both accomplish the same things and behave the same way the saints are given more chances to free themselves and have more opportunity to change them. On the other hand, roughnecks are neglected and known as deviant because of they are not rich. In this article we can see that Saints are eight white, upper-middle class boys. Constantly occupied with truancy, drinking, theft, breaking laws and vandalism but they never get arrested. Roughnecks are six white, lower class boys, drinking, fighting, theft, less delinquent overall. Constantly in trouble with police and

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The essay written by William J. Chambliss , was to portray the differences between roughnecks and saints. To begin with, Saints were 8 men who were white and came from upper middle class families. They are seen as the “good boys” in the community. These 8 men were given praise and was seen as great kids but in reality they were the delinquents of their high school. The roughnecks however were 6 white men who came from lower class families.

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