Sociology Labeling

Perhaps the reason behind the shift from positive to negative interactions that I experienced by both the Catholic community and my family proceeding my choice to follow a non-religious pathway, is because I posed a threat to their existing belief and social structure. When I attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School or unwillingly participated in church events, the normal behaviour was to blindly follow and absorb the religious knowledge that authority figures were providing. I however deviated from these norms and when given opportunities to share ideas during class, I would raise questions on the inconsistency, or contradictions present within the Catholic religion. This non-conforming response was found threatening to my parents and …show more content…
Examining my past relationships through a more critical lens has allowed me to better comprehend why others must exclude, behave negatively towards, or label people who do not fit their idealized mold. This is because individuals believe that in order to maintain consistency within their social circles or identities they view themselves as, they must establish a clear-cut difference between themselves and the negative actions, beliefs, or thoughts of others. Writing this assignment has positively changed my appreciation for labeling theory because prior to dissecting the labeling perspective, I placed a significant degree of importance on how others viewed my behaviours and self-image. Granted that I know that what is labeled as normal or deviant is completely subjective and a social construction, I believe that I will be less swayed by the perceptions others hold of me in future situations and will focus more on what I believe to be morally right or