Justin Orndorff
Deviant I am? Labeling theory conflict theory
How am I
deviant? Well considering that I have
five kids, a job, and full-time schooling there are many corners that I have to
cut in order just to survive. Many of
these so called corners that I have to cut many may consider to be
deviant. And as I read through the
different theories of deviance in the book I am in fact deviant as hell. I speed like there’s no tomorrow just to get
from place to place. Picking the kids up from school, getting to school or work
on time can be next to impossible to say the least. Howard Becker describes deviance “as the
infraction of some agreed-upon rule.”
Well if that’s the case where do I begin? I speed, I’m a little over weight, I am a
smoker, I live with my girlfriend and we are not married. (1)
John
Braithwaite says “The best place to see reintegrative shamming at work is in
loving families….Family life teaches us that shamming and punishment are
possible while maintaining bonds of respect.” I work at the Department of
Licensing (DOL ) and many of the older women
I work with disapprove of me living with my girlfriend while were are not yet
married. We both have children from
previous relationships. So how can I maintain respect at work while im being judged
or shammed at work for living with my girlfriend (unmarried)? (1)
Myself
being a smoker, am I deviant? I can’t
smoke 50 feet from any public entrances.
Back in the day when I was a child you were allowed to smoke on
airplanes, in restaurants, etc. Why now
are there laws prohibiting smokers from so many places? Is it for health reasons? Why has time affected society’s view on
smoking as being deviant?
Edwin
H. Sutherland and Donald R. Cressey both describe the Differential Association
Theory as a violation of the law or a learned criminal behavior. So if im 10 feet outside of a building
smoking when your supposed to be 25 feet away from the door im breaking the law
in their view, therefore portraying me as a deviant member of society. What if its pouring down rain and I need to
have a smoke and if I stand 25 feet away from the doorway to have my smoke I
get soaking wet, then I get sick, then I have to miss work, which in turn
reduces my pay check to rubble, which prevents me from buying gas or feeding my
kids or making rent. Then what? Should I be so concerned with what others
might consider deviant? Ill go ahead and
answer that “hell no.”(1) (2) (3)
(1) Thio,
Alex, Thomas C. Calhoun, and Addrain Conyers. Readings Boston
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