The Nature and Consequence of Labeling Deviant in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to investigate the nature and consequences of labeling deviant in Nigeria. But to aid the completion of the study, the researcher intend to achieve the following specific objectives;
- To ascertain the consequence of labeling deviant in Nigeria
- To evaluate the social consequences and implication of lebeling deviant in Nigeria
- To examine the relationship between Social Values, Deviance and Security in Nigeria
- To examine the implication of labeling deviant in Nigeria society
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This piece is an attempt to provide some theoretical explanations of crime. Our society in this 21st century is facing multiple social problems and insurgencies particularly in the North East region of Nigeria. People are killed without reasons, public structures and utilities are daily destroyed, and parents no longer have fame grips of their wards activities, wide spread of corruption and general apathy to the values of the society among others. These activities are criminal and have undermined the social and economic well-being of the society. This paper is divided into three parts. The first part looks at general theoretical overview, then went ahead to examine some psychological and sociological theories that best explain the level of crime in the society and why people commit such crimes. Scholars have developed a variety of theories to explain various forms of deviant behavior. Such explanations revolve around why the individuals commit crime and why crime and criminal behavior is more prevalent in some locations and periods than others. Generally, theories of crime are divided into macro and micro approaches. The psychological theories place significance on a person’s anatomy and emotions. Sociological theories of crime are macro in approach and focus on broad issues. They trace the root of crime outside the individual and place it on the social environment. Sociological theories examine the nature of the society (social structure), how crime is learnt through socialization (socio-cultural) and how an audience or a group creates crime during interaction (labeling). According to Barkan (1997) such differences in approach are very important to the proper understanding of the root cause of crime. In what follows, an explanation of the aforementioned theoretical classification is made. Deviance simply means ―to go astray. In sociology, social deviance or deviance means those behaviours or characteristics that violate significant social norms and expectations and are negatively valued by a large number of people. We can also look at deviance simply as those behaviours that breach commonly held norms, values and expectations of a society.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the nature and consequence of labeling deviant in Nigeria.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to examine the nature and consequence of labeling deviant in Nigeria.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of labeling deviant in Nigeria.
Summary
It is important to state here that the theories complement each other and none can fully explain crime independently, most especially sex crime in our universities, where multiple factors present themselves on the personality of the student. Structural theorists perceive crime from the structure of the larger society. Sociocultural theorists figure crime as something learnt in the process of socialization. The conflict theory associate crime to the existence of the unjust nature our Nigerian society, while labeling theories associate crime to the creation of social group and societal reactions. None of theories, so far revised, will singly explain sex crime and that is why this work aligns with the Differential Association Theory of Surtherland (1939) because the theory considers crime as a function of a person’s experience as earlier explained. Within the Kaduna learn variety of sub-cultural norms as students are admitted every year and have the freedom to interact and learn from each other. Deviant behavior is learned within a social network and it is in process of interaction in class rooms, Halls of Residence or/and in recreational venues that carriers of deviant trait teach others.
Conclusion
In Nigeria today, social values of honesty, sincerity, truthfulness and fellow feeling have taken the “back burner”, affecting the beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of people; people now show an increased interest in personal well-being and a decreased interest in the welfare of others. Deviant acts have become assertions of individuality and identity, and thus as rebellions against group values and norms of the dominant culture and in favour of a sub-culture. But deviance also affirms cultural values and norms; clarifies moral boundaries; promotes social unity by creating us-and-them dichotomy; encourages social change; and provides jobs to control deviance, criminality and insecurity (Hastings and O’Neil, 2009). Ultimately, social values are the root of all virtues that pave the way for harmony and the key to the development of a society. Therefore, societal values and norms of security and welfare of all citizens must be articulated and practiced in order to maintain a safe and secure environment for all citizens.
Recommendations
Haven completed the study, the researcher recommends that there should be a democratically free government that prioritize the protection of her citizenry and property, Children’s Right Act, and human rights law by provide equal opportunities to all, equal sharing and availability of societal resources among her citizens irrespective of status, religion, or geographical location. The government, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), and stakeholders should establish project programme of youth empowerment through free and affordable vocational skills training and education for all. Emphasis should be place on developing gender equality and orphans and vulnerable children who may be at risk of social vices such as poverty, lack of education, unemployment, prostitution, and kidnapping for ritual. This would make the society stimulating and encouraging free from social deviance and mental illness. In addition, since social deviance is inevitable, agents of social control need to be establish in order to fight crime and deviant behaviour in the society. Social control is meant to limit and constrains the action of individuals and groups within a society. It involves norms, rules, regulating social behaviour and corresponding sanctions, rewards, and punishment reinforcing social behaviour.
Reference
- Botterweck, Michael C. et. al., Eds. (2011). Everyday Sociology. Elmhurst, Il.: Starpoint Press.
- Becker, Howard (1963). Outsiders: Studies in Sociology of Deviance. New York: Free Press.
- Charon J.M. (2007). Symbolic Interactionism: An Introduction, An Interpretation, Integration. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Perason Prentice Hall.
- Clinard, M. B. and Meier, R. F. (1995), Sociology of deviant behavior (9th Edition). New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
- Dinitz, S., Dynes, R. R. and Clarke, A. C. (1975). Deviance: studies in definition, management, and treatment. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Douglas, J. D and Waksler, F. C. (1982). The sociology of deviance: an introduction. Boston: Little Brown.
- Goode, E. (2004). Deviant Behavior (7th edn.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Gottfredson, M. and Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Deviance. California: Stanford University Press.
- Hastings, S. E. and O’Neil, T. A. (2009). “Predicting workplace deviance using broad versus narrow personality variables”. Journal of Personality & Individual Differences, 47:289–293.
- Hirschi, T. (2002). Causes of delinquency. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers
- Imobighe,T. (2003). Nigeria Defence and National Security Linkages: A Framework of Analysis. Ibadan: Heinemann Books.
- Jensen, G. F. (2007). The path of the devil: early modern witch hunts. New Jersey: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Johnson, B. (2007). Sexplosion on Campus. The News, Special Report, Lagos.
- Kaplan, G. (1979). Good Sex: A Health Man’s Guide to Sexual Fulfilment. New York: Harcourt Brace Javanovieh.
