Life course theory is a sociological theory that attempts to explain peoples potential for criminality at different ages of their lives. The theory “emphasizes informal social ties and bonds to society at all ages across the life course” (Sampson, Laub p.312). What this means is that, throughout an individuals life, they develop relationships and responsibilities that are close to the normative standard. In a persons early life they have the influence of their family, their friends, and school. As that person ages their social control shifts to higher education, or vocational education. In middle adulthood that control shifts to work, marriage, parenthood, and giving back to the community. The theory argues that by having these bonds throughout …show more content…
For example, a student of higher education, according to the theory, would not participate in deviant acts because in doing so, they are risking the loss of their bachelors or masters degree. Adversely, the theory also states that by not having strong connections to your relationships and responsibilities, an individual is more inclined to commit to crime (Sampson, Laub p.312). Marriage has been studied to be a positive influence on peoples lives. According to Sampson, Laub, and Wimer (p.316), marriage has decreased criminality, mortality, binge drinking, drug use and depression. Marriage also positively influences wages and employment status. The life course theory suggests that this phenomena of marriage being beneficial is due to a few factors. By being married, an individual now has the responsibility of supporting their spouse. In traditional normative culture, this job falls upon the male. Statistically, the majority of criminal offenders are male. In this regard, the responsibility of marriage and providing for your spouse or family detracts the male figures inclination to commit crime. The possibility of going to jail or …show more content…
Labeling theory is a criminalogical theory that is primarily focused on juveniles. The theory is, that when a youth is labeled as a criminal, either by an institution or a person of high influence, they assume that role. A teacher calling a student a “troublemaker” is enough to make that student believe that since they are labeled as a “troublemaker” then that is what they must do (Schur p.282). For older juveniles such as late teens, an institution labeling them a criminal is enough to set them apart from their normative cultural peers. In labeling theory, youth that have been labeled as deviant do not associate with youth that are part of the normative cultural standards. This is because their label as a deviant causes friction when interacting with normative society. This results in exclusion from normative society which leads the deviant youth to interact with other excluded members, in other words, other deviant