Lableing Theory Essay

366 Words2 Pages
Labeling Theory After reading the article on Labeling Theory and how it deals with Juvenile Delinquency. I got a clear understanding that it deals with the effects of labels, or stigmas, on juvenile behavior. Labeling theory also, holds that society, by placing labels on juvenile delinquents, stigmatizes them, leading to a negative label for a youth to develop into a negative self-image. In addition to that, Youths who are labeled as criminals or delinquents may hold these as self-fulfilling prophecies - believing the labels that others assign to them, thereby acting as the labels. A youth who succumbs to a label may then proceed to act as a criminal" or act as a delinquent, abandoning social norms because he or she believes that he or she is a bad person and that this is what bad people are supposed to do. Also, Labels can be applied formally, by social institutions courts, schools, or informally, by a youth's acquaintances, peers, and families. These labels can be positive, or negative, and even socializing, but stigmas that hold negative connotations and may negatively affect the juvenile are the main concern of labeling theory. However, some of these labeling theories deal with Self-rejection. By self-fulfilling prophecy, plays a role in social labeling theory. "Self-rejecting attitudes result in both a weakened commitment to conventional values and the acquisition of motives to deviate from social norms. They tend to say that Teachers are stupid;' cops are dishonest;' parents just don't understand. These troubled youths become distanced from society and find themselves in deviant lifestyles. Basically, social labeling theory holds that juveniles begin believing they are people who do bad things and are transformed into believing they are bad people. All in all, in my opinion the labeling theory appears to be a shaky and marginally supported theory at
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