Columbine High School Labeling Theory

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On April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado at Columbine High School, an horrific event took place. During the hours between ll a.m. and 12 p.m. 15 people, including the two offenders died, and 24 people were wounded. The offenders, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were high school seniors that attended Columbine High School. At 11:19 a.m. the two offenders started shooting students outside of the school. Then the two started shooting inside the school library, where most of the injuries took place. By 11:35 a.m. 12 students and one teacher were killed, and more than 20 people were wounded. The offenders were not caught because at 12:08 p.m. they committed suicide inside the library. There were also 99 explosives inside of the cafeteria. The intentions …show more content…

The explosives were suppose to blow up 600 people but did not due to lack of function. Then there would follow another explosive to kill reporters, crowds, and survivors. The Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold optics were to create a nightmare apoloytic that it would tremble the world. But why did they do it? What could be the reasoning behind such deviant acts?
Labeling Theory Originated by Howard Becker, the labeling theory is the view of deviance in which labels either propel individuals into deviance or divert individuals away from it. But, there are ways people reject labels and neutralize deviance. The five techniques people use to neutralize deviance is denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of a victim, condemnation of condemners, and appeal of higher loyalties. Denial of responsibility is when a person who commits a deviant act …show more content…

which puts strains on us. Picture this, you and your friends are finished with college and ready to start your careers. Your friends already have jobs lined up for them. Everyone view them as successful because they are going to gain wealth or prestige. You on the other hand are strained and feel frustrated because you have been struggling through school and haven 't able to gain equalizing access to the institutionalized means or legitimate ways to reach the cultural goals. Society puts pressure on individuals to achieve cultural goals when they lack the institutionalized means this leads to strain which eventually leads them to commit crimes. There are four deviant paths that individuals respond to. Innovation is path where the individuals use illicit ways to achieve these goals. Ritualism is the path where individuals reject society 's goals, but accept society 's institutionalised means. The third paths is retreatism is where individuals reject both cultural goals and institutionalized means. Rebellion is a person who rejects and replaces cultural goals and rejects and replaces institutionalized means (Backyard Sociology,

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