Labeling theory is the idea that certain kind of people or individuals are perceived or portrayed in the society as different or deviant. Just as every company put a label or a tag on their products, the labeling theory tends to tag certain kind of people as deviant. This labels are given or impose on individuals by the people in authority like the police, judges and even the politicians as drug addicts, prostitutes, criminals etc. since this people have been labeled as such, and they tend to behave as such thereby breaking the social rule and deciding not to follow it.
Drawing on the article, “The Saints and The Roughneck”, by Chambliss, the community saw or labeled the Roughnecks as criminals and tough who are heading for trouble. Their assumption concerning the Roughnecks was based on what the community thinks they see and that is because, they were always seen by the community at places in the street of the town and drinking and making fun of girls who walk by. They again consistently be seen arguing with the police. One specific example is when the police picked up some of the roughnecks for stealing, mostly small stuffs of which the community thinks it will lead to big stuff like armed robbery and stuff. …show more content…
The assumption concerning the saints were based on the behavior of the saints and how they present themselves to the people of that community. They portrayed their other side of their behavior not to the town’s people because they were rarely seen in town or outside. They also apologize whenever they do something wrong. One specific example is when they over speed and even run a stop sign, the police stopped them and they were very polite and also plead for mercy. Again since most of the saints were part of the student governing body and sports, the community thought of them as good