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Theory of Deviance Illustrated by `The Breakfast Club`

Theory of Deviance Illustrated by `The Breakfast Club`

The sociology of deviance refers to the concept of deviant behavior or actions that tend to defy existing social norms or actions that are against generally accepted patterns of behavior (Kendall 2006 Sociologists believe that deviance is a relative concept because what a certain society believes to be acceptable may be perceived differently by another society . As such , deviance may largely be a function of the society that defines what is within the limits of acceptable and what is considered deviant

Among the

most popular theories about deviant behavior is the one forwarded by Howard Becket . The Labeling Theory was first discussed in 1963 and maintains that deviance is actually a product of society 's tendency to label or pigeonhole certain people . This labeling casts or stereotypes people within certain roles , and is called deviant if they fail to act within their label . People act in a manner that is expected of them and in a sense , what we expect from people become self-fulfilling prophecies . Society imposes its own perception on a person 's character , and in a sense , the individual is shaped by society to fit that mold . As far as deviance is concerned , Kendall says that people who are labeled as deviants act according to the stereotypes of that label (Kendall 2006 ) The people who arbitrarily decide on what is deviant and conventional are the very same people who will label a behavior as unacceptable or not . Labels exist in so many levels and in all aspects of our lives . The varied roles that we essay in society are actually our own ways of fitting the mold or staying true to our labels The tragedy of labeling is that it almost always has a negative connotation . This cruel name-calling creates a tension within the individual , whether to pursue and define their own individual character or repress themselves in to avoid the nasty labels

Among the best examples of the label theory at work can be seen in the movie The Breakfast Club . The Breakfast Club was released in 1985 and was written and directed by John Hughes . The movie is widely held by experts as a classic in the teen film genre and has been influential in youth films that came on its heels . The story revolves around five teenagers , each representative of the different classes or groups in high school . Each student is thus symbolic of a certain social perception and carries with them the labels and stereotypes that each one has about the other

These five people were forced to come together when all of them were placed in detention one Saturday . While at first there was some hostility , they each came out of the detention room with better understanding and respect for one another . At first , each character acted according to their label , and they treated the other person according to the stereotypes that they have for one another . The beauty was treated in disdain by...

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