More than often, juvenile
delinquents are stigmatize with a negative labeling by the members of their society.
The members of their social groups establish a negative label accordingly to
the infractions of the delinquent, in which is influenced by a deviant
behavior. The concept of labeling juveniles with a negative label is to
associate a loss of status from civilization. Indicating that they are unworthy
of carrying a title of their citizenship. The labeling theory is one of the fundamentals
of the social learning theory in which deviant behavior is caused by social
and/or environmental pressures, and a “negative label” in society condemns the
behavior. Howard S. Becker, an American sociologist that concluded in his study
that deviance is socially constructed, explains the factors of deviance in a
sociological perspective. Several proposals have been made as to why juveniles
proclaim a deviant identity, the social learning theory in its standard
definition propose that society is responsible for the deviant act. The Labeling
Theory is one of the various criminological and sociological perspective in which
deviant behavior becomes the factor of the crime and then analyzed by its core
principles.
Howard S. Becker’s
proposition of labeling theory emerges specifically from the relativistic
perspective as he defines the act of deviance. He argues that, “...the essence of
deviance is not contained within individuals’ behaviors but in the response
others have to these”; “Deviance, he claims, is a social construction forged by
diverse audiences” (Becker, 1991). It is an unaware reaction that social groups
form in order to identify deviance but unknowingly, deviance is created by
society. Juveniles have the tendency to be influenced voluntarily by their
environment, as they engage in a process of learning and growth, they soon
comply with a specific group in society, whether it supports a deviant group or
not. More so, Becker is identifying the response of people rather than the act
itself (Becker, 1991).
Numerous definitions from
society can conclude a deviant act. The variations in the degree of deviance
arises due to the temporal or historical context framing the acts, which gives
an overall perspective to the social position and power of those who are affected
by the behavior itself and its consequences (Becker, 1991). Labeling a juvenile is the consequence
of their actions, as mentioned before; it is the core assessment that is used
to reinforce the loss of status in society. Asserting the idea that society has
opened the doors to commit such deviant acts. Rules that have been brought upon
civilization to control social order and protect each individual citizen from
internal factors that constitutes harm. Becker also claims, “…social groups
create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes
deviance…”(Becker, 1991).
Rules and regulations that are
imposed in society become “…the product of someone’s initiative…people who
exhibit such enterprise as moral entrepreneurs.” (Becker, 1991). A perspective
that analyzes the labeling theory by two related species- rule creators and
rule enforcers (Becker, 1991). These perspectives intake as much importance as
to why juveniles are labeled wrongdoers in society. Rules and regulations in
society must first be upon existence before enforcing any act as deviant.
Becker makes this principle a point in his argument by also stating that once a
rule has come into existence it must be applied to particular people.
“Offenders must be discovered, identified, apprehended and convicted…” (Becker,
1991). This process of discovery occurs after the rule has been imposed and
acts as the enterprise of the behavior.
The labeling theory is
important in juvenile justice because we must establish a comprehensive
understanding as to why juveniles are carrying a negative label in society. In
order to do so, identifying the infractions committed by juveniles, it will assist
in classifying their deviant behavior. There is no justification for any crime
that is committed by a juvenile or an adult but studying their environment and
social atmosphere can assist in explaining their behavior. Becker argues about
two main points in which the labeling theory is associated with the delinquent;
he proclaims that members of society socially construct deviance and that a sort
of rule-breaking behavior occurs in order to bear a negative label.
Establishing a negative stigma to the delinquent only supports continuous
deviant behavior. They quickly adapt to their norms and later it becomes part
of their lifestyle instead of an outburst of unusual deviant acts. Juveniles also
develop a master status in society, the majority of the time the crime is not
identified but the act is considered an unwelcome contribution to society.
References
Becker , H. S. (1991). Outsiders . (pp. 317-324).
Adult Publishing Group
Becker , H. S. (1991). Relativism: Labeling Theory .
(pp. 41-45). Adult Publishing
Group