Labeling Theory Essay
INTRODUCTION
Labeling theory is the theory of how the self-identity and behaviour of individuals maybe determined or influence by the terms used to describe or classify them. It holds that deviance is not inherent to an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities of those seen as deviant from a standard norms. Labeling theory is the view of deviance according to which being labeled as a deviant lead a person to engage in deviant behaviour (Howard Becker,1960). Further more, he explains that labeling theory is the reason why people's behavior clashes with social norms. For example, a teenager who lives in an urban area frequented by gangs might be labeled as a gang member. Accordingly, the teenager might begin to behave like a gang member or become one. Sometime the person labeled incorporates with the label and begin to think of himself or herself as a gang member. Nowadays, there were …show more content…
And labeling is the problem among youth in general, it is particularly important issue for LGBT youth, they continue to experience various forms of oppression and discrimination throughout the world (Roben, 2002). And because of their identity, most of them have been abused or harassed by their parents, family members and even classmates. They continue to face severe discrimination in their homes, schools and in their community (Lawrence, 2005).The most explicit sources of minority stress among LGBT youth are family rejection (Toomey, C.R. & R. Diaz, Rusell, 2010), discrimination and violence that minority persons experience because of their stigmatized minority position (Garnets, Herek and Leve, 1990 as cited in Lawrence, 2005). Such experience may lead LGBT youth to: use drugs, take alcohol, psycological distress and risky sexual behavior ( Wright & Perry, 2006) or even suicide attemps ( Gibson, 1989: Remaride, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991as cited in Wright & Perry
Labeling theory is the theory of how the self-identity and behaviour of individuals maybe determined or influence by the terms used to describe or classify them. It holds that deviance is not inherent to an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities of those seen as deviant from a standard norms. Labeling theory is the view of deviance according to which being labeled as a deviant lead a person to engage in deviant behaviour (Howard Becker,1960). Further more, he explains that labeling theory is the reason why people's behavior clashes with social norms. For example, a teenager who lives in an urban area frequented by gangs might be labeled as a gang member. Accordingly, the teenager might begin to behave like a gang member or become one. Sometime the person labeled incorporates with the label and begin to think of himself or herself as a gang member. Nowadays, there were …show more content…
And labeling is the problem among youth in general, it is particularly important issue for LGBT youth, they continue to experience various forms of oppression and discrimination throughout the world (Roben, 2002). And because of their identity, most of them have been abused or harassed by their parents, family members and even classmates. They continue to face severe discrimination in their homes, schools and in their community (Lawrence, 2005).The most explicit sources of minority stress among LGBT youth are family rejection (Toomey, C.R. & R. Diaz, Rusell, 2010), discrimination and violence that minority persons experience because of their stigmatized minority position (Garnets, Herek and Leve, 1990 as cited in Lawrence, 2005). Such experience may lead LGBT youth to: use drugs, take alcohol, psycological distress and risky sexual behavior ( Wright & Perry, 2006) or even suicide attemps ( Gibson, 1989: Remaride, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991as cited in Wright & Perry