Blog Post 3: Deviant Blogging And The Importance Of Language; Don’t Be Such A BITCH!
It is amazing to me how much can be assumed about a person by just referring to them with a single word. People will often judge you by appearance or a single encounter when they thrust you into the offensive word category. As a deviant person by societies’ standards, a word I have been called almost everyday for as long as I can remember, is ‘bitch’. More often than not, it is ‘f**king bitch’. Honestly, I have heard it so often that it really doesn’t bother me anymore. I have always figured that if that was the best people could come up with to insult me, then they had bigger problems to deal with anyway, such as lack of imagination and probably more insecurities than I could name. Why is the word ‘bitch’ considered so derogatory towards women? Where did it all start?
The word bitch means female dog (Dictionary.com). How did it become one of the most overrated and controversial words to ever rock our nation? Because it somehow became a slang word meaning “A) a malicious, unpleasant, selfish person, especially a woman. B) a lewd woman. C) Disparaging and Offensive . any woman” (Dictionary.com). How did the meaning become so completely changed around?
The history behind the word bitch is interesting. Depending on its’ use today, it can be a good or bad thing. The history of bitch is not so clear though, just as its not so clear as to why it went from meaning female dog to a horrible loose woman:
“The word "bitch" has had a colorful and busy past in the
English language. The main meaning of bitch is that of the
Female of the species, particularly dogs. I call this the
main meaning because it is the meaning which the word first
had in our language and the meaning from which metaphors
were made. The word's origin is not certain. Partridge thinks
That perhaps it is related to the Sanskrit word for genitals,
bhagas (1961). If we consider this origin for a moment, we
might come up with an association of some creature with exposed
genitals with those creatures we call beasts” (BITCH
AN EXAMPLE OF SEMANTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
Charles A. Collins, p 67.). So, to sum up, we really don’t have a very clear explanantion as to where the hell this word came from. We have an idea, but nothing concrete.
In society, this word is very, very offensive and so, so bad. Maybe that’s why I like the word so much. It is considered an insult, and definitely mild profanity. People will justify its’ use by downplaying the insult of it. It kind of falls along the lines of what is discussed in the article “You’re Not A Retard, You’re Just Wise”, by Steven J. Taylor. “You aren’t a bitch, you are just outspoken and mean.” That is usually what I hear when someone wants to call me a bitch but doesn’t necessarily want the confrontation that comes along with it. If someone can insult you, but make it sound like criticism instead then everyone is just happy all the way around without saying what they really meant.
I honestly don’t think the word is as bad as society has made it. I think it’s a word that some feminist woman decided to take offensively and cause a huge uproar about, personally. This is just my opinion of course, but I believe if the word bitch is the only thing a community has to ’bitch’ about, maybe you should get a life and look at the real problems in society.
As discussed in the blog post, “What Is Ableist Language And Why Should You Care”, I say what is the big deal? Why do people care so much about a word? Why does it matter so much to others what words are used in different communities? Do other communities really have the right to ask or demand that the word stopped being used? I know that musical artists in the rap genre had a huge backlash from angry bored housewives’ not liking women being referred to as bitches. The way I see it, if one of these rappers walks up and calls you a bitch, then, sure, be angry, demand that they not refer to you that way. If not, get over it and worry about things that really matter.
I wouldn’t say that the word bitch is alright to call someone, however, not saying that at all. I am considered a ‘bitch’ by society I suppose, but that doesn’t mean it makes it acceptable to call someone a bitch just because they pissed me off, and I am someone who often has trouble biting my tongue. In the article, “In Defense Of Fat”, I applauded the point behind it. If someone wants to eat crappy food, and their weight is out control, how is that the concern of anyone else? If someone wants to talk about bitches all day long, why does it matter as long as they aren’t specifically calling anyone else that or saying it’s ok to call someone else a bitch because they themselves or considered one? Maybe I haven’t explained this in a way that everyone can see eye to eye with, but like I said before, isn’t there enough to worry about in the world without caring if someone called me a bitch or not?
Works Cited
“Bitch.” Dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bitch
Collins, Charles A. “BITCH:AN EXAMPLE OF SEMANTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE.”p.67.http://soar.wichita.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10057/1784/LAJ _16.1_p69-86..pdf?sequence=1
Fierce, Tasha. “In Defense Of Fat.” http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2011/09/in- defense-of-fat/
“What Is Ableist Language And Why Should You Care?” http://mymuffinroared.tumblr.com/post/3446600140/what-is-ableist-language- and-why-should-you-care
Taylor, Steven J. “You’re Not A Retard, You’re Just Wise”. p. 173.Readings in Deviant Behavior. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Word Count: 975
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Film Review 2: Murder Ball
Film Review 2: “Murder Ball” 14 Feb ‘12
In class on February 14 we watched the film “Murder Ball". It was a excellent film, and I would recommend it to anyone who can watch something with an open mind. The main thesis of the film is showing the viewer just how many preconceived notions that are out there about people in wheelchairs. Those of us who are not paraplegic or quadriplegic can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to not have the luxury of our mobility. As a result, there are many assumptions out there that the men in the film who actually live that life do what they can to show us life from their point of view and to see how capable they are of living a happy and productive life, so no need to pity. They don’t like that shit.
The film was a documentary basically. The men interviewed were players on the USA Olympic Rugby Team. I never knew until I watched this film that there was an Olympic Team for people in wheelchairs; which shows a preconceived notion of mine. These men amazed me. They are all very accepting of the way thing are and are amazing at how much more capable and able bodied they are than those of us who do have the use of all of our limbs. I think that was one of the main things that supported the thesis was basically these men showing us their daily routines and how much they DON’T have to depend on other people as we all think; they have a daily routine and daily commute, they have families and are able to have sex as well. Most importantly, just because someone doesn’t have full control of their limbs does not mean it impairs their mind too, as some ignorant people apparently unbelievably think. Just as if you may have a slight mental disability in one area, you aren’t necessarily disabled mentally in every other way possible too. In the article, “You’re Not A Retard, You’re Just Wise”, the author uses various examples of disputing such a asinine assumption. Just because someone might have a mental problem, doesn’t mean they are “crazy”. They are most likely very strong in other areas (Taylor, p. 25, “Readings In Deviant Behavior.”).
The thesis of the film relates to the class, because the stigma of being deviant is very much implanted on those that are quadriplegic or are in wheelchairs for whatever reason. This deviant stigma is something that these people have no control over either, so it is very important that it is part of the course.
The points I found most convincing were the ones I could actually see. Watching a man in a wheelchair who also has no hands or forearms do everything a completely able bodied person can do with no trouble, from unlocking and opening his front door, to pouring juice into a glass from a pitcher that I would have spilled probably, to getting himself dressed, brushing his teeth, and driving to and from work, convinced me that there is absolutely no reason to think someone in a wheelchair needs to be pitied.
I did not see any part of the documentary that was unconvincing to me. I got a better understanding than I ever have of how unfair life can be, but no matter what shitty hand you get dealt, you can still be who and what you want to be, even when it looks like you can’t.
One of the points that stood out to me the most was when it was discussed that “a quadriplegics’ mind becomes a bigger disability than the physical stuff, every quadriplegic thinks they will walk again”. This intrigued me. Even though they know the odds of that happening are almost impossible, they still hold onto that hope. As discussed by Dr. Temple Gradin in “The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds”, she talks about learning from everyone, even the ones’ you think you can’t learn anything from, someone you never expected might have something going on in their mind that you never knew. I would like to see a psychological evaluation digging a little deeper in a quadriplegics’ mind that keeps them hoping they will walk again, even though they have had the reality check that it won’t happen.
Works Cited
Taylor, Steven J. “You’re Not A Retard, You’re just Wise.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p.173-81. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
“The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds.” Dr. Temple Grandin. http://youtube/fn_9f5x0f1Q
Word Count: 763
In class on February 14 we watched the film “Murder Ball". It was a excellent film, and I would recommend it to anyone who can watch something with an open mind. The main thesis of the film is showing the viewer just how many preconceived notions that are out there about people in wheelchairs. Those of us who are not paraplegic or quadriplegic can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to not have the luxury of our mobility. As a result, there are many assumptions out there that the men in the film who actually live that life do what they can to show us life from their point of view and to see how capable they are of living a happy and productive life, so no need to pity. They don’t like that shit.
The film was a documentary basically. The men interviewed were players on the USA Olympic Rugby Team. I never knew until I watched this film that there was an Olympic Team for people in wheelchairs; which shows a preconceived notion of mine. These men amazed me. They are all very accepting of the way thing are and are amazing at how much more capable and able bodied they are than those of us who do have the use of all of our limbs. I think that was one of the main things that supported the thesis was basically these men showing us their daily routines and how much they DON’T have to depend on other people as we all think; they have a daily routine and daily commute, they have families and are able to have sex as well. Most importantly, just because someone doesn’t have full control of their limbs does not mean it impairs their mind too, as some ignorant people apparently unbelievably think. Just as if you may have a slight mental disability in one area, you aren’t necessarily disabled mentally in every other way possible too. In the article, “You’re Not A Retard, You’re Just Wise”, the author uses various examples of disputing such a asinine assumption. Just because someone might have a mental problem, doesn’t mean they are “crazy”. They are most likely very strong in other areas (Taylor, p. 25, “Readings In Deviant Behavior.”).
The thesis of the film relates to the class, because the stigma of being deviant is very much implanted on those that are quadriplegic or are in wheelchairs for whatever reason. This deviant stigma is something that these people have no control over either, so it is very important that it is part of the course.
The points I found most convincing were the ones I could actually see. Watching a man in a wheelchair who also has no hands or forearms do everything a completely able bodied person can do with no trouble, from unlocking and opening his front door, to pouring juice into a glass from a pitcher that I would have spilled probably, to getting himself dressed, brushing his teeth, and driving to and from work, convinced me that there is absolutely no reason to think someone in a wheelchair needs to be pitied.
I did not see any part of the documentary that was unconvincing to me. I got a better understanding than I ever have of how unfair life can be, but no matter what shitty hand you get dealt, you can still be who and what you want to be, even when it looks like you can’t.
One of the points that stood out to me the most was when it was discussed that “a quadriplegics’ mind becomes a bigger disability than the physical stuff, every quadriplegic thinks they will walk again”. This intrigued me. Even though they know the odds of that happening are almost impossible, they still hold onto that hope. As discussed by Dr. Temple Gradin in “The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds”, she talks about learning from everyone, even the ones’ you think you can’t learn anything from, someone you never expected might have something going on in their mind that you never knew. I would like to see a psychological evaluation digging a little deeper in a quadriplegics’ mind that keeps them hoping they will walk again, even though they have had the reality check that it won’t happen.
Works Cited
Taylor, Steven J. “You’re Not A Retard, You’re just Wise.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p.173-81. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
“The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds.” Dr. Temple Grandin. http://youtube/fn_9f5x0f1Q
Word Count: 763
Friday, February 10, 2012
Eminem being as deviant as can be ;)
"3 am" Eminem. From the album "Relapse" Shady/Aftermath 2009.
Just a video that brings out that dark, deviant side....and it is most likely offensive and appalling in every aspect to our society :D
"Beautiful" Eminem. From the album "Relapse" Shady/Aftermath 2009
This is one of my favorite songs; every word hits me hard because it's so relatable. Love Eminem or hate him; love rap music or damn the day it became a genre of music, there isn't a soul on this planet who can't relate to feeling like sometimes you just aren't good enough....just take a minute to listen to the words......
Film Review 1- Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She
Film Review 1: “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She” 7 Feb 2012
In class on February 7, we watched the film “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She”. This film is a real eye opener and interesting to watch to someone like me who doesn’t necessarily know more than the basic facts when it comes to being educated on transgender, transsexual, and what it is like living as someone who is gay, or someone who identifies with the opposite gender. There were parts that were difficult to watch; and at times I wanted to look away from what I was seeing. But it was almost like morbid curiosity; I couldn’t tear my eyes away. What is it about films like these that can grab a person in such a way that keeps them watching even when they want to look away?
From what I took from it, the main thesis of the film was basically different stories told from the people who have a lifestyle that is often discriminated against, judged, and in “normal” standards for society is considered morally wrong, disgraceful, and even disgusting to some. In some extreme cases, people have even been tortured to death for being transgender, just for being who they are. The film made the viewer see how many preconceived notions people have about being transgender, gay, hermaphrodite ect. From an outsiders’ point of view, we have no idea what its like to be hated for having a lifestyle of something that is beyond your control. As they said in the film, people don’t choose to identify with the opposite sex; it’s just the way things are.
The main arguments that support the thesis of the film forces society to question certain things about themselves which invokes a fear and a certain amount of anger for being forced to take off the rosy colored glasses and look at a lifestyle that causes us to in a way partake in this “deviant” lifestyle and abandon norms of society and feel what its like to be considered deviant for just being different in a way that is considered unnatural. One point that is made is that not only is someone who is transgender discriminated against, any person that is close to them or may have any significant part in their upbringing, especially their parents and family, get discriminated against as well because of preconceived notions that are completely asinine that say the way someone is raised will decide or contribute to a persons “choice” to being transgender or not. Because of this, people that are different are afraid of a society that says this lifestyle is not normal.
The most significant argument that supported the thesis was expressing very strongly how important to know what the actual meaning of sexual orientation means. It’s about what sexual preference you have, whether it’s the same sex as you or the opposite sex. It’s not a choice, despite what many close minded people think. Just like gender isn’t a choice, and gender can’t just be classified as male and female anymore. According to the article “The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female Aren’t Enough”, if you group everyone into those two categories, you aren’t taking into consideration how often biological differences occur during a persons development which can create oddities which results in confirming male and female can’t be the only two sexes, and even the five sexes discussed in the article could still be underestimating how many gender possibilities could result (Fausto-Sterling, par. 5).
The thesis of this film relates to the course in a pretty obvious way, in my opinion. The class is all about Social Deviance. We all know what deviance means by now. Behaviors or oddities that go against societies norms. What is more deviant to society and in the opinion of many people than being transgender or gay or possibly having sexual parts that aren’t considered just male or female?
The points I found most convincing was the detailed explanations and examples that didn’t just tell you, but showed the discriminations, hostility and hardships that result in being different than what you are supposed to be according to society. Hearing these things from the people who experience in their everyday lives always does more to convince you and causes you to feel how real it is.
I wouldn’t say there were any points that made the topic less convincing to me; however, not having firsthand experience with this lifestyle makes it difficult to put yourself in those shoes. I can empathize, but I have no idea what it must be like to have to deal with some of the difficulties that occur and the feelings one must have when just being who you are can shun you in society.
The point that stood out the most for me in the film when it was simply stated that variation is the norm, biology loves it and society hates it. Honestly, probably most of our ‘society’ probably doesn’t even know why they hate it; just because they are “supposed” to hate variation of the norm. I would study this point by doing something similar as discussed in the article “Transgender Warriors”, interviewing someone with firsthand experience, and also looking at how close minded these views have been over a timeline, and compare them to views of today and try to come to a conclusion about why after even all these years and how much the world can change society still holds on to these same over thought and uninformed ideas that being transgender or the like is so damn deviant and lets waste our time hating that especially when its not going to change the fact that some people are different (Transgender Warriors, Feinberg). You don’t have to agree with it or even understand it, just accept it. Accept it and move on.
Works Cited
Feinberg, Leslie. “Transgender Warriors.” Beacon Press, 1996.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. “The Five Sexes: Why Male And Female Aren’t Enough.” The Sciences, April, 1993.
In class on February 7, we watched the film “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She”. This film is a real eye opener and interesting to watch to someone like me who doesn’t necessarily know more than the basic facts when it comes to being educated on transgender, transsexual, and what it is like living as someone who is gay, or someone who identifies with the opposite gender. There were parts that were difficult to watch; and at times I wanted to look away from what I was seeing. But it was almost like morbid curiosity; I couldn’t tear my eyes away. What is it about films like these that can grab a person in such a way that keeps them watching even when they want to look away?
From what I took from it, the main thesis of the film was basically different stories told from the people who have a lifestyle that is often discriminated against, judged, and in “normal” standards for society is considered morally wrong, disgraceful, and even disgusting to some. In some extreme cases, people have even been tortured to death for being transgender, just for being who they are. The film made the viewer see how many preconceived notions people have about being transgender, gay, hermaphrodite ect. From an outsiders’ point of view, we have no idea what its like to be hated for having a lifestyle of something that is beyond your control. As they said in the film, people don’t choose to identify with the opposite sex; it’s just the way things are.
The main arguments that support the thesis of the film forces society to question certain things about themselves which invokes a fear and a certain amount of anger for being forced to take off the rosy colored glasses and look at a lifestyle that causes us to in a way partake in this “deviant” lifestyle and abandon norms of society and feel what its like to be considered deviant for just being different in a way that is considered unnatural. One point that is made is that not only is someone who is transgender discriminated against, any person that is close to them or may have any significant part in their upbringing, especially their parents and family, get discriminated against as well because of preconceived notions that are completely asinine that say the way someone is raised will decide or contribute to a persons “choice” to being transgender or not. Because of this, people that are different are afraid of a society that says this lifestyle is not normal.
The most significant argument that supported the thesis was expressing very strongly how important to know what the actual meaning of sexual orientation means. It’s about what sexual preference you have, whether it’s the same sex as you or the opposite sex. It’s not a choice, despite what many close minded people think. Just like gender isn’t a choice, and gender can’t just be classified as male and female anymore. According to the article “The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female Aren’t Enough”, if you group everyone into those two categories, you aren’t taking into consideration how often biological differences occur during a persons development which can create oddities which results in confirming male and female can’t be the only two sexes, and even the five sexes discussed in the article could still be underestimating how many gender possibilities could result (Fausto-Sterling, par. 5).
The thesis of this film relates to the course in a pretty obvious way, in my opinion. The class is all about Social Deviance. We all know what deviance means by now. Behaviors or oddities that go against societies norms. What is more deviant to society and in the opinion of many people than being transgender or gay or possibly having sexual parts that aren’t considered just male or female?
The points I found most convincing was the detailed explanations and examples that didn’t just tell you, but showed the discriminations, hostility and hardships that result in being different than what you are supposed to be according to society. Hearing these things from the people who experience in their everyday lives always does more to convince you and causes you to feel how real it is.
I wouldn’t say there were any points that made the topic less convincing to me; however, not having firsthand experience with this lifestyle makes it difficult to put yourself in those shoes. I can empathize, but I have no idea what it must be like to have to deal with some of the difficulties that occur and the feelings one must have when just being who you are can shun you in society.
The point that stood out the most for me in the film when it was simply stated that variation is the norm, biology loves it and society hates it. Honestly, probably most of our ‘society’ probably doesn’t even know why they hate it; just because they are “supposed” to hate variation of the norm. I would study this point by doing something similar as discussed in the article “Transgender Warriors”, interviewing someone with firsthand experience, and also looking at how close minded these views have been over a timeline, and compare them to views of today and try to come to a conclusion about why after even all these years and how much the world can change society still holds on to these same over thought and uninformed ideas that being transgender or the like is so damn deviant and lets waste our time hating that especially when its not going to change the fact that some people are different (Transgender Warriors, Feinberg). You don’t have to agree with it or even understand it, just accept it. Accept it and move on.
Works Cited
Feinberg, Leslie. “Transgender Warriors.” Beacon Press, 1996.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. “The Five Sexes: Why Male And Female Aren’t Enough.” The Sciences, April, 1993.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Blog Post 2: Why I Am So Very Deviant
One could definitely say that I am deviant in my ways; as in how I carry myself, how I speak, my reactions to things, the fact that I am considered a “potty-mouth” by societies’ standards and the fact that I am a minority. But out of all those key factors, the thing that most assuredly tucks me snugly into the deviant category is my big mouth. I am the first one to admit that I don’t know when to shut my mouth. When I was younger, not only did my mouth get me into trouble, but I also got myself involved in a considerable amount of physical fights as well; which is oh-so-deviant to our society due to the fact that (gasp!) putting your hands on someone in a way that causes them bodily harm is not only against the law, but it is considered “morally” wrong and it is something that is common knowledge to the average person; and if you know this and still partake in this immoral, illegal behavior, you couldn’t be any more deviant if you pranced around the street naked.
I guess one could correctly assume that my secret pleasure I get from shocking people definitely has always had something to do with just wanting to be that rebel, that hellcat that had to be just a little different from the crowd; whom to almost a ridiculous extent was extremely successful at pissing people off. Call it the foolishness of being an adolescent if you want. That is feasible. By displaying rebellious behavior to society in the ways I did, I unknowingly cast myself into a perfect example for the labeling theory. I was a product of my environment. I didn’t have much growing up, my family struggled financially and I never made it any secret that it made me angry. When you aren’t used to having much, you don’t expect much, so what difference did it make if I followed the rules or not? Being part of the lower class when it came to socio-economic status, the labeling theory fit me like a glove. Not the best upbringing and surely on the road towards breaking the law and offending society, labeling a kid who had my behavior as deviant was about as accurate as could possibly be (Labeling Theory, Becker). This deviant behavior was expected of a kid like me, so I gave society exactly what they wanted, and then some.
I also believe the conflict theory is relatable to my deviant adolescent behavior. That part of me that was so angry that I had so little and there were so many others my age that didn’t ever have to want for anything. I found myself always going toe-to-toe with the kids who were known as “wealthy”, and justified my behavior as being the spokesperson for others who were considered “poor kids” like I was against the “rich kids” that were always willing to step onto the battlefield to go to war against the kids who were just like me and that always caused conflict, even as kids who had no idea what social standing, conflict, and what the word deviant even meant. The conflict theory goes together with the labeling theory like peanut butter with jelly when it comes to showing an example of how we are products of our environment, and even as adolescents we know that we are expected to live up to the labels that are set for us, which in turn molds our thinking and behaviors for the rest of our lives (Conflict Theory, Quinney).
Things are different now that I am an adult. I don’t just go around punching people in their faces anymore. However, I will not hesitate to beat someone senseless with my words though, which is something I do often, as “deviant” as that may sound to some. When it comes to someone like me who has such an aggressive personality and admittedly some anger issues, having a temper and a tendency to fly off the handle with my big mouth, this is my way of having some control in society and still being able to express myself to where people get my point loud and clear. As bad as it sounds to some, this is my alternative to going up and just hitting someone in the face. Honestly, the only reason I don’t get into fights? The consequences, as in the law. Being arrested, jail time, parole, charges being pressed against me and knowing what disruption it would cause in my life is the only thing that stops me from letting someone feel the wrath of my right hook, and there are many times I have to remind myself of these consequences so I don’t just react with my fist connecting with the jaw of whoever happened to rub me the wrong way. This fits right into the social control theory; considering the fact that if the law wasn’t there to regulate me, I would probably not hesitate to revert back to that kid who expressed her anger with her fists (Control Theory, Hirschi).
Taking all of this into consideration, for my deviant behavior example, I went into a very high-end retail store and spent about an hour there basically offending people. I chose Macy’s at Westfield Vancouver Mall, for the simple fact that it is frequented a lot by people who are considered by most to have a certain amount of wealth, as Macy’s is rather expensive. I didn’t go too over the top, but I definitely got a lot of stares and fingers pointed at me, as I was making a point to use more profanity than I normally do, and talk about things that society would disapprove of being discussed in public, choosing to talk about sex and hooking up with different guys and making up a story about a bar fight. This sort of talk along with a lot of profanity offended a lot of people. Why is that? Because society says those aren’t the sort of things you are supposed to talk about in public, it is considered inappropriate and shows a lack of sophistication. Just using the word “f**k” is enough to make people gasp and shake their heads, because the word is just so offensive to the ears of the shoppers at Macy’s. Guess my deviance came in handy when it came to this experiment.
I don’t think there are many people who would disagree with me when I say I fall into the deviant category of society. Its just the way I am, and I honestly don’t care if people approve or disapprove. If there weren’t deviant people like me in society, who would the normal people have to gossip about and judge?
Works Cited
Quinney, Richard. “Conflict Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 45. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Travis Hirschi. “Control Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 30. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Becker, Howard S. “Labeling Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 39. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Word Count 1190
I guess one could correctly assume that my secret pleasure I get from shocking people definitely has always had something to do with just wanting to be that rebel, that hellcat that had to be just a little different from the crowd; whom to almost a ridiculous extent was extremely successful at pissing people off. Call it the foolishness of being an adolescent if you want. That is feasible. By displaying rebellious behavior to society in the ways I did, I unknowingly cast myself into a perfect example for the labeling theory. I was a product of my environment. I didn’t have much growing up, my family struggled financially and I never made it any secret that it made me angry. When you aren’t used to having much, you don’t expect much, so what difference did it make if I followed the rules or not? Being part of the lower class when it came to socio-economic status, the labeling theory fit me like a glove. Not the best upbringing and surely on the road towards breaking the law and offending society, labeling a kid who had my behavior as deviant was about as accurate as could possibly be (Labeling Theory, Becker). This deviant behavior was expected of a kid like me, so I gave society exactly what they wanted, and then some.
I also believe the conflict theory is relatable to my deviant adolescent behavior. That part of me that was so angry that I had so little and there were so many others my age that didn’t ever have to want for anything. I found myself always going toe-to-toe with the kids who were known as “wealthy”, and justified my behavior as being the spokesperson for others who were considered “poor kids” like I was against the “rich kids” that were always willing to step onto the battlefield to go to war against the kids who were just like me and that always caused conflict, even as kids who had no idea what social standing, conflict, and what the word deviant even meant. The conflict theory goes together with the labeling theory like peanut butter with jelly when it comes to showing an example of how we are products of our environment, and even as adolescents we know that we are expected to live up to the labels that are set for us, which in turn molds our thinking and behaviors for the rest of our lives (Conflict Theory, Quinney).
Things are different now that I am an adult. I don’t just go around punching people in their faces anymore. However, I will not hesitate to beat someone senseless with my words though, which is something I do often, as “deviant” as that may sound to some. When it comes to someone like me who has such an aggressive personality and admittedly some anger issues, having a temper and a tendency to fly off the handle with my big mouth, this is my way of having some control in society and still being able to express myself to where people get my point loud and clear. As bad as it sounds to some, this is my alternative to going up and just hitting someone in the face. Honestly, the only reason I don’t get into fights? The consequences, as in the law. Being arrested, jail time, parole, charges being pressed against me and knowing what disruption it would cause in my life is the only thing that stops me from letting someone feel the wrath of my right hook, and there are many times I have to remind myself of these consequences so I don’t just react with my fist connecting with the jaw of whoever happened to rub me the wrong way. This fits right into the social control theory; considering the fact that if the law wasn’t there to regulate me, I would probably not hesitate to revert back to that kid who expressed her anger with her fists (Control Theory, Hirschi).
Taking all of this into consideration, for my deviant behavior example, I went into a very high-end retail store and spent about an hour there basically offending people. I chose Macy’s at Westfield Vancouver Mall, for the simple fact that it is frequented a lot by people who are considered by most to have a certain amount of wealth, as Macy’s is rather expensive. I didn’t go too over the top, but I definitely got a lot of stares and fingers pointed at me, as I was making a point to use more profanity than I normally do, and talk about things that society would disapprove of being discussed in public, choosing to talk about sex and hooking up with different guys and making up a story about a bar fight. This sort of talk along with a lot of profanity offended a lot of people. Why is that? Because society says those aren’t the sort of things you are supposed to talk about in public, it is considered inappropriate and shows a lack of sophistication. Just using the word “f**k” is enough to make people gasp and shake their heads, because the word is just so offensive to the ears of the shoppers at Macy’s. Guess my deviance came in handy when it came to this experiment.
I don’t think there are many people who would disagree with me when I say I fall into the deviant category of society. Its just the way I am, and I honestly don’t care if people approve or disapprove. If there weren’t deviant people like me in society, who would the normal people have to gossip about and judge?
Works Cited
Quinney, Richard. “Conflict Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 45. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Travis Hirschi. “Control Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 30. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
Becker, Howard S. “Labeling Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p. 39. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.
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