Aim: How can Labeling theory be used to analyze “Teenage Wasteland” by Donna Gaines?

Labeling Theory  Labeling theory claims that deviance is a consequence of external judgments, or labels, which both modify the individual’s self-concept and change the way others respond to the labeled person.  Deviance: Behavior which departs from group or societal norms.  Labeling theory is also related to the idea of the self-fulfilling prophecy, which is a prediction that causes itself to come true.

Author contends This was a collective act Which warrants a social explanation

 Complete the activity with your partners based upon the evidence presented in the article and what you’ve observed in the world around you.

What social patterns make this possible? In school – “jocks”, “preps”, “brains” at the top “Burnouts” at the bottom

How did they become “burnouts”? Labeling process or self-selection? What resources, choices were available? Subculture of heavy metal as opposed to white suburban America

Kids’ perception Lack of “anything to do” No connection to sports or extracurricular activities “No place to go”

Town is Occupationally mixed So it is tough to use economic class as a marker to distinguish “who’s who” Sports plays an important part in fulfilling that role

How do young people define themselves? By participation in sports, clubs, academics, etc. But also by who they date, what they wear, where they were seen, etc.

The “burnouts” represent the “other” actually from several cliques actually from several cliquesDruggiesDirtbagsDeadheadsMetalheadsThrashersPunks

Drugs offer immediate comfort Partying becomes a ritual End up stranded in teenage wasteland

Author suggests there’s more to it “Burnouts” are a social location with a collective identity and a role Has to do with the town’s order

Baba O’riley (Teenage Wasteland) by The Who Baba O’riley (Teenage Wasteland) by The Who Out here in the fields I farm for my meals I get my back into my living. I don't need to fight To prove I'm right I don't need to be forgiven. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Don't cry Don't raise your eye It's only teenage wasteland Sally, take my hand We'll travel south cross land Put out the fire And don't look past my shoulder. The exodus is here The happy ones are near Let's get together Before we get much older. Out here in the fields I farm for my meals I get my back into my living. I don't need to fight To prove I'm right I don't need to be forgiven. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Don't cry Don't raise your eye It's only teenage wasteland Sally, take my hand We'll travel south cross land Put out the fire And don't look past my shoulder. The exodus is here The happy ones are near Let's get together Before we get much older. Teenage wasteland It's only teenage wasteland. Teenage wasteland Oh, yeah Teenage wasteland They're all wasted! _Pf144Qmg _Pf144Qmg Pw4f1oN7g Pw4f1oN7g oGfcZs1RA oGfcZs1RA 8D4Uybtzs 8D4Uybtzs vLL_oAvus&feature=related vLL_oAvus&feature=related

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