Labeling Theory

Labeling Theory

I agree with the premise of the labeling theory, that there is no human act inherently evil and deviant in them selves. Inherent evil or deviance does not exist because of the following reasons. First, the social norms from which the act is based changes with the times. What may be acceptable now may not be acceptable in the future or vice versa. Second, every culture has a different set of norms. What may be acceptable here may not be acceptable somewhere else. Third, not all wrong acts are considered deviant. People set Norms. In the event that an act is not perceived as deviant, even if it may cause actual injury to others, it would still be considered normal behavior. Last, there are exempting circumstances that should be determined before judging if an act is deviant or evil. There exist such circumstances that would justify a person’s act, or exempt him from liability, no matter how apparently wrong the act is. In the final analysis, it could be seen that there is no such thing as inherent evil.
The fact that the social norms change is proof that there is no inherent deviance or evil. This proves that what might be perceived as normal behavior now may be perceived as deviant behavior in the future. An example of this is the use of marijuana. In the United States, the use of marijuana was seen as a legitimate act. It was only deemed a deviant behavior when the Federal Bureau of Narcotics publicly defined the usage of marijuana as illegal in the 70’s. This can also go the other way, meaning acts that were perceived as deviant behavior could be perceived as normal behavior in the future. Examples of this are homosexuality, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental illness. Prior to 1973, The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a sexual deviation. It was only in 1973 when it declared that homosexuality, by itself, does not necessarily constitute a psychiatric disorder. In the case of drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with mental illness,...

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