Chapter 8

Labeling Theory

    When the news of Representative Anthony Weiner first broke up on CNN sometime in June of this year of “sexually- charged electronic relationship” with multiple women, I said to myself hope this is not true because Weiner as one of the most brilliant, vocal, sharpshooter and charismatic democrat in the Congress whose contrary arguments to Republicans are always a delight to watch has been a target for so long. But when he confirmed the allegations through press conference I knew that his days are numbered.    

After pressures from Republicans and his own party members and affiliates he resigned.

He has committed an “Absolutist Deviant” what a shame? Tongues started wagging, media frenzy over the allegation was hype, and Republicans jumped on the bandwagon. Weiner was tagged as irresponsible, a disgrace, and many unthinkable names. To them he’s unfit to hold the public office any longer, and the consequences of violating one of the “codes of conduct” of his office is for him to resign.

Really!  Is that the truth or they found an opportunity to get rid of one of the problematic opposition member in the house? Are they sure they acted in the best interest of his office and the people he represents, or the society, or simply acted on their own selfish political gains and interests? That is left to desire.

Here’s another scenario:

Pastors and Clergies are known to be the custodian of faith. The roles of these religious leaders are important in the construction of society because through their teachings of the scriptures, they instill some values and norms that complies with morality to millions of their members including children, in fact parents considered Churches and other house of worships as a safe haven and the Clergies as role model to their ward. But unfortunately this confidence has been shattered with several allegations of sexual misconducts of some these clergies. According to Newman, between 1960 and 2002, 4127 priests faced allegations of sexual abuse with the majority of their victims  teenagers between the age of 11 and 14 and out of which 81% of them were male (page 234). The consequences of these dastardly acts have not only caused the churches to lose millions of members but also huge amount of money due to financial settlements to the victims. “Settlements could be as high as $3 billion” (Newman, page 235).

My major concern is that the societies at large are bias when it comes to “labeling deviance” What could be more grievous than a seeing your trust shattered, or having learnt that some of your pastor, or rabbi, or imam has been molesting your child and yet would still mount the podium to preach against immorality and at the same time portrays themselves to be “Holy”. (Hypocrites)

There’s no doubt that this shameful act dented the prestige of this institution. Consequently, most of these clergies were either quietly resigned, retired, or voluntary left out of shame. The troubling part of all this brouhaha is that the society seems to be forgiven, I didn’t hear any of these perpetrators go on trial, neither were they prosecuted nor condemned as they did with Weiner. And most importantly they were not labeled as “deviant”

Does that mean that Weiner’s offence is grievous than these men of God?