Labeling Theory
Principles of Criminology
Labeling Theory and furs
Labeling Theory begins with the idea that people will be at odds with one another because their values and beliefs differ. Certain people then gain power and translate their normative and value preferences into rules which govern institutional life which gives the position to place negative labels on those who do not follow their rules, calling them deviants. Howard S. Becker popularized this labeling perspective. He believed that deviance results from social judgments relative to group norms that are applied as labels to certain forms of behavior. Becker stated: “Social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying the rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders”. He felt that studying the act of the individual was unimportant because deviance is simply rule breaking behavior that is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power.
So how does labeling theory apply to the issue of furs? To some, those who wear furs are deviant, while to others, those who protest the use of furs are the defiant ones. What social factors determine which labels stick?
In my opinion, I would say that it comes down to what is most popular at the time. For instance, I think today, society is probably more accepting of the wearing of furs b/c it is a popular trend right now. Designers and celebrities have a powerful influence on society as a whole, so if you see on the cover a Vogue, a model wearing a fur coat and it stated that it is the hot trend for this winter, people are more likely to want to get that coat. Those who protest against wearing furs might be looked at as being extremist – going against the more popular idea that wearing a fur coat is “cool”. I also think that the wearing a fur coat is looked at like a sign of money and power, so therefore wearing one gives the impression that you have this (money and power). The fashion
Labeling Theory and furs
Labeling Theory begins with the idea that people will be at odds with one another because their values and beliefs differ. Certain people then gain power and translate their normative and value preferences into rules which govern institutional life which gives the position to place negative labels on those who do not follow their rules, calling them deviants. Howard S. Becker popularized this labeling perspective. He believed that deviance results from social judgments relative to group norms that are applied as labels to certain forms of behavior. Becker stated: “Social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying the rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders”. He felt that studying the act of the individual was unimportant because deviance is simply rule breaking behavior that is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power.
So how does labeling theory apply to the issue of furs? To some, those who wear furs are deviant, while to others, those who protest the use of furs are the defiant ones. What social factors determine which labels stick?
In my opinion, I would say that it comes down to what is most popular at the time. For instance, I think today, society is probably more accepting of the wearing of furs b/c it is a popular trend right now. Designers and celebrities have a powerful influence on society as a whole, so if you see on the cover a Vogue, a model wearing a fur coat and it stated that it is the hot trend for this winter, people are more likely to want to get that coat. Those who protest against wearing furs might be looked at as being extremist – going against the more popular idea that wearing a fur coat is “cool”. I also think that the wearing a fur coat is looked at like a sign of money and power, so therefore wearing one gives the impression that you have this (money and power). The fashion