Paedophilia Labelling and Moral Panics

Paedophilia Labelling and pattern Panics kind groups create deviance by making rules whose infr titleion constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to especial(a) people and pass judgmentling them as outsidersThe aberrant is one to whom the label has successfully been utilise deviant behavior is behavior that people so label (Becker, 1963 8-14).This shew depart go steady the process of labelling a person as deviant in this case the paedophile the clean-living clampdown on the paedophile and the aerodynamic lift of state-supported concern with the assistance of the upsurge media, resulting in moralistic consternation and the consequences that follow.The Australian Concise Oxford dictionary (1992) defines deviance as meaning, the pretend or state of diverging from usual or accepted standards, especi totallyy in social or perk upual behaviour. This definition doesnt illuminate the diversity of deviances inwardly mainstream ordering, nor the consequences invol ved when a person is designate deviant. The simple act of labelling an outsider as deviant implies that each person deviating from their cultural norms and values atomic number 18 engaging in misconduct, that their actions argon harmful to society, they be selfish, evil and moldiness be stopped (Goode, Nachman 29). Like beauty, labelling is in the eye of the beholder (Sagrin 124), an act of deviance to one, whitethorn non be a deviant act to another (online Social Construction and labelling).Sociologists use the term deviance not in an evaluative sense but to refer to departure from established norms and values (Nathanson, Paulhus, Williams). Sociologists corroborate many theories regarding deviance however we will examine the Labelling Theory which focuses on deviance as a socially constructed phenomenon quite than being conducted inherently (Giddens 2009). The Labelling theory is a sociological perspective that stomach be used to investigate deviant acts (Smith online) ac cording to Giddens (20091123) it has become a dominant paradigm in explaining deviance.The term Labelling originated in Lemerts writings during the mid-fifties and subsequently developed through Becker, during the 1960s (Smith, B wishwell). Becker states that deviance is created by society, whereby the cultures in which you argon socialised establish the rules to be adhered to, consequently any deviations of those rules will illustrate disapproval (in Sagrin 126) whereby the deviant may or may not be labelled. The theory has been adapted by many Sociologists, who agree variant definitions of the concept (Sagarin 3). The theory suggests that workers become deviant due to the acts they commit, what follows is a sluggish shift, where all acts affiliated by the deviant person is labelled as suspicious (Sagrin123). Lemert referred to the two pro places constituting the theory as primary and secondary deviation. parenthesis even offd to deviance, as all people deviate occasionally from norms at heart society (Sagrin 124). According to Lemert two things happen when an act of deviation occurs, the source is the deviation label that is imposed by others, this suggests that they are not normal, they are evil and should not be part of the community (Sagrin124). Secondary deviation frequently causes more harm than the primary act itself, once labelled, the actor becomes aidful and paranoid, characteristics develop from low self-esteem to self-hate (Sagrin 124) Labelling shuns offenders and treats them as outcasts and may shake a rebellious and criminal reaction from them (Karp 1998 283 Maxwell and Morris 1999). As Erikson suggests a moment of deviation may become the measure of a persons position in society (in Rubington 25).The Oxford English Dictionary defines a paedophile as a person with pedophilia, that is, an irregular trip outual love of babyren. According to tip Glaser it is not a love of children but a lust for them (In pack 6). Paedophilia is an extremely complex issue, where characteristics are not easily be paedophiles do not fit into one sub-cultural group within society. They lack a set of symbols that divide them from the norm, they do not have a notable dress style, verbal or prominent body actors line to highlight that they are deviant (in Rubington 5). Paedophiles are from any ilk they may be well educated or not rich or poor married or unmarried pursueed or unemployed, they are found in each suburb they are family members and neighbours, guardians and social workers, child care workers and teachers, coaches and football heroes, church leaders and politicians, judges and doctors, anybody (James 19961) (Paedophilia, policy and bar PDF). Becker states that the only thing deviants have in common is, they share the label and the experience of being labelled as outsiders (196311)The mass media and other have agencies have status and power that is used to frequently label an offender, what is created sociologists look to moral misgiving (Giddens 949). During the 1960s sociologist Stanley Cohen introduced mob Devils and moral Panics, depicting the mass medias exaggerations regarding youth disturbances at a British seaside resort. Folk Devils and Moral Panics, currently a term widely adopted by sociologists kindle in the relationship between the media and the public. The paedophile depicts the Folk Devil, the outsider, the deviant that deserves targets of pharisaical anger, hostility and punishment (Goode, Nachman 31).According to Critcher the paedophile is a classic Folk Devil. The moral brat surrounding the paedophile isnt necessarily about what he is doing but the fears and anxieties that is represented (in Marsh, Melville, 2009 61-65).The mass media exposes the paedophile as an external bane this creates a moral panic focusing attention on the dangers that paedophilic wind up offenders pose outside the home, however statistics prove that it is often a bank figure within the communi ty that is the perpetrator (Cowburn, M. , Dominelli, L 2-3). The paedophile priest is an example of a socially constructed folk devil, he is respected within the community, he has status and power which is used to gain trust. It has long been theorized that rigid religious teachings on kindleuality are capable of causing abnormal behaviour the Churchs teachings on conjureuality leads to a development of sexual dysfunction amongst its priests (Vexen 2009). According to Cohen if manything triggers a threat and if conditions are right, a moral panic can suddenly appear and disappear just as quickly. Moral panics ensue when reaction to this development is amplified by agents of social control (Cohen 19809). all panic caused by the paedophile priest is promptly concealed by the Church the priest in concern is relocated, rehabilitated or placed on leave until the moral panic diminishes (Vexen 2009).The Moral panic relates to the overreaction of the mass media, jurisprudence and lo cal community political science (Germov and Poole 509) in hope that their agenda items originate priority and implantation, and also to raise anxiety and risk levels in the public so criminal justice and political systems will be pressured to employ additional laws and order policies. In America for example, Megans law was passed three months subsequently seven-year-old, Megan Kanta was sexually assaulted and murdered by a neighbouring paedophile (Hinds, 1997 ). The Moral panic surrounding Megans death, therefore implemented new notification laws. Names and addresses of sex offenders are placed on sex offender registries to notify families of any perpetrators that may live close by. Registers conversely raise problems of labelling, secondary deviance, scapegoating and moral panic (Lemert, 1967, Szasz, 1970, Cohen, 1987 in Ronken C., Lincoln R.). Recently in Hobart, The Collectors ABC, high compose television presenter, Andy Muirhead was charged during February this year with view ing child meshing pornography, once again in June for possession of material (Amanda Mead, June 12 2010 The Australian). Although the content is not known, Muirhead is labelled, as an outsider, a Folk Devil, a sex offender. Australia currently does not have a sex offender register and many people oppose the idea. Publicly labelling on a registry, in many cases can do more harm than good (Fitch 2006) The scope of sex offences that are on the register and labelled as paedophile are extensive, for instance a girl in Georgia who had been placed on the register hobby conviction of sodomy is alongside the most evil of child sex offenders imaginable (Vexen). A paedophile that is on a registery is a labelled paedophile for flavor. Following prison house and reinstatement, life chances decrease through lunacy (Vexen 2.2). Vigilante groups often take action forcing the offender out of the community. The hobby music track by The Christians depicts the feelings of an outsider once labelle d as deviant Youre the man with no choice, yes its been decided youve done wrong. And theres single division that will stand up and say, oh just what has he done?For they all read the news, and its surely proof enough for them. And they flatly refuse to consider, oh, was he really to blame?(When the fingers point music track by The Christians)The Media is prudent for deliberately and unnecessarily amplifying public fears about crime, the current social saying of the paedophile creates a media-orchestrated moral panic where imagery by the media influence public awareness (Cowburn, M., Dominelli, L 2).They constantly argue that sex offenders are different they cannot be treated and will reoffend (James). The media instils images through News headings such as AFP crack Facebook paedophile porn ring, Police swoop up on child sex offenders (online), Man jailed after plead guilty to possessing more than 50,000 images of child pornography (Herald Sun online) and Hundreds of children exposed to sex offenders in Victoria. These are some headings that would make it difficult for anyone reading the latest news not to have come to the wrong conclusion that every paedophile is a homicidal maniac (Ryan, 20032).The media also emphasises the view of the sex offender as a threatening stranger from whom the innocent public must be protected (Kitzinger, 1999). Stranger danger, a prime example of misrepresentation by the media who would like us to believe that paedophilia is committed by complete strangers randomly assaulting unknown children, victims as mentioned above are often children who already have an established social relationship with the perpetrator (James 1). The Moral panic surrounding stranger danger often results in parents undertaking risk management strategies such as acknowledging the sex offender registry and consuming necessary items to protect their children. Mobile telephones, surveillance cameras, internet safety options and monitoring all help ease any fear of moral panic instilled by the media. Danish parents have gone to extremes by enrolling their children in day care centres that have webcams. Children can be viewed throughout the working day via the internet with a secure password, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe (Jorgensen, V).ConclusionA person is deviating from social norms once labelled so. Therefore the act of paedophilia is not deviant until the actor is labelled as a paedophile. at one time the label has been applied through the exaggeration imposed by the authorities and the mass media, the actor becomes isolated, fearful and alienated. The labelled paedophile experiences decreased life chances due to vigilantism that is provoked, often the paedophile lives in danger in prison and following reinstatement due to the pubic sex offender registry.More moral panics will be generated and other, as yet nameless, folk devils will be created. This is not because such developments have an inexorable inner logic, but because our society as present structured will continue to generate problems for some of its membersand then condemn whatever solution these groups find Cohen 1987204. A moral crusade is established by the media so that people are hustling to accept authoritarian and social controls such as new laws as solutions to the sex offender problems.