Theory of Defiance, Essay Example

In accordance with the labeling theory of deviance, there are instances when people are forced to do the wrong things, to decide on matters towards the more negative side of the situation, simply because they need to comply with the norms that they are primarily expected to follow. In the case of Rooster Bogle, being the father, he was able to set up a culture that his children needed to follow. Given the opportunity to affect others, he did not pass on what was positive but what was negative in the assessment of social morals and norms. He already has a dysfunctional behavior; which he willingly passed on to his children. The attitude he has towards his wife of beating her regularly became a norm to the eyes of the children as they were growing up; this indicates that somehow, the children were lead to believe that this was the right way of treating another person[even though there was already a sign of disapproval on the part of the victim].

As a result, Rooster Bogle’s sons became more enthusiastic with the idea of doing what was wrong [what was against the law]. Relatively, this way, they are able to feel the thrill and the power that being Rooster’s children brings them. The superiority of Rooster’s reputation in the field of incurring crimes created a goal in the minds of his children to follow the same track and gain the same reputation that is respected by their own. As the article itself mentions, “it was an unbreakable chain of continuous events”.  The son of Rooster himself could be quoted saying: “What you’re raised with, you grow to become. You don’t escape”. In a way, once born into the family, the society already expects them to follow the trend; to the point that it may seem impossible to get away from it, or even useless to change the pattern of reputation that the family is noted for.