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Article Saints & Roughnecks
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The Dynamics of Labeling and Strain Theories in "The Saints and the Roughnecks"
In William Chambliss's classic sociological study "The Saints and the Roughnecks,"
the lives of two groups of teenagers unfold as a revealing narrative of how societal reactions
and the strains they experience can drive individuals toward deviant behavior. The dynamics
of labeling and strain theories are discussed. Through the lenses of labeling theory and strain
theory, the intricate relationship between these young men's choices, external influences, and
society's judgments is revealed in this compelling story.
According to labeling theory, people who are labelled as deviants by society may
internalize this identity and, as a result, conform to its expectations. The Roughnecks'
encounters offer a distinct representation of how marking hypothesis works by and by. Both
their community and the police in the area frequently viewed the Roughnecks, a group of
young boys, as criminals. Their association with minor thefts, occasional bouts of alcoholism,
and proximity to a drugstore all contributed to a negative perception that quickly developed
into a collective identity. The articles describes the obvious presence of the Roughnecks:
They could be seen night after night on the corner near the drugstore, leaning against the
storefront (sometimes while drunk) or slouching inside to buy soda, read magazines, and
probably steal the old Mr. Wall blind. The redundancy of this picture assumed a critical part
in the development of their freak name (Chambliss, 1973). They began to internalize this
identity as they were subjected to constant labeling and treatment as criminals. They
embraced a disposition portrayed by antagonism and scorn when defied by power figures.
This demeanor filled in as a guard system, safeguarding them from the decisions they
anticipated from those in, influential places.
Strain theory places that people might go to degenerate way of behaving when they
experience a distinction between cultural objectives and the means accessible to accomplish
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them. In "The Saints and the Roughnecks," the behaviors of both groups are influenced by
distinct strains. The Holy people, in spite of participating in degenerate behaves like drinking
and crazy driving, didn't areas of strength for confront judgment. They had access to
resources that were in line with conventional societal objectives, such as automobiles, money,
and mobility. It is mentioned in the article that the Saints had access to automobiles, which
enabled them to escape the Roughnecks' constant visibility. They were mobile and able to
evade immediate authority figures' detection (Chambliss, 1973). On the other hand, the
Roughnecks' socioeconomic status put them under a lot of stress. They needed admittance to
assets and portability, making it trying to adjust to customary objectives. The fact that the
Roughnecks had less money than the Saints, limited access to automobiles, and lived in a
scattering of homes all over the town makes it clear that they were always visible in the
community.
Strain theory proposes that people might go to aberrance as a survival technique for
the strains they experience. The Roughnecks' deviant behaviors may have been influenced by
the fact that they were unable to achieve conventional success due to their limited
socioeconomic resources. They looked for other ways to establish a sense of belonging and
status within their deviant subculture because they were unable to achieve conventional
goals. The Roughnecks' survival techniques included robbery, drinking, and battling, which
offered them a similarity to having a place and status inside their friend bunch. These
degenerate ways of behaving turned into their asylum, permitting them to get away from the
imperatives of their financial status and briefly ease the strains they confronted.
Conclusively, "The Holy people and the Roughnecks" astonishingly represents how
naming hypothesis and strain hypothesis work in reality. The encounters of these two
gatherings of young fellows exhibit the significant effect of cultural decisions, outer impacts,
and the strains people face on their directions toward degenerate or regular ways of behaving.
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Chambliss' review offers a convincing story that highlights the intricacies of abnormality and
the job society plays in shaping the existences of its individuals.
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References
Chambliss, W. J. (1973). The saints and the roughnecks. Society, 11(1), 24-31.
