The Labeling Theory and the Medicalization of Deviance are undoubtedly a part of Society. The Labeling theory is “the significance of reputations, how they help set us on paths that propel us into deviance or that divert us away from it”. It defines someone's reputation positively, such as labeling someone as “honest”, or negatively, such as labeling someone as a “cheat” (Henslin pg. 159). These negative labels are very powerful, and often trigger a response that results in further deviance. For example, a study called “The Saints and the Roughnecks” proved exactly how powerful a label is. The “Saints” were a group of teenagers who were involved in countless school activities and used their status to find ways out of trouble. They found “legitimate” reasons to be excused from class, such asking to go to the restroom and needing to go to a
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265). Punishments for wrongdoing was selective. The “Roughnecks” were labeled as “poor, nonmobile, outspoken, undiplomatic “tough” kids” and because of that, they were always noticed and punished for their actions. Since the “Saints” were labeled as “bright” and “disciplined”, they were “invisible when they deviat[ed] from sanctioned activities” (pg. 275). Labeling has a reach that not only characterizes who someone is, but also their mental health. Labeling someone as being “crazy” and having medical professionals “medicalize” a form of deviance is called Medicalization of Deviance. Medicalization is “the process by which (non-medical) problems become defined and treated as medical problems” (Reynolds). Some argue that this can lead to wrongfully describing “problem behaviors” and “mental illness” (Henslin pg. 181). Meanwhile, others see deviance as “a sign of mental sickness” and behaviors such as “rape, murder, [and] cheating... are external symptoms of internal disorders” (Henslin pg.
265). Punishments for wrongdoing was selective. The “Roughnecks” were labeled as “poor, nonmobile, outspoken, undiplomatic “tough” kids” and because of that, they were always noticed and punished for their actions. Since the “Saints” were labeled as “bright” and “disciplined”, they were “invisible when they deviat[ed] from sanctioned activities” (pg. 275). Labeling has a reach that not only characterizes who someone is, but also their mental health. Labeling someone as being “crazy” and having medical professionals “medicalize” a form of deviance is called Medicalization of Deviance. Medicalization is “the process by which (non-medical) problems become defined and treated as medical problems” (Reynolds). Some argue that this can lead to wrongfully describing “problem behaviors” and “mental illness” (Henslin pg. 181). Meanwhile, others see deviance as “a sign of mental sickness” and behaviors such as “rape, murder, [and] cheating... are external symptoms of internal disorders” (Henslin pg.