To approach cautiously is good till we dig deeper and find out that the label is not correct for that person. The labeling theory was Howard Becker’s idea “that deviance is a consequence of external judgements or labels that modify the individual’s self-concept and change the way others respond to the labeled person” (Ferris and Stein, pp.159). Labeling can hurt people and destroy their self-confidence as well as their reputation and should be used very cautiously. My example above would never lead to me or anyone else being harmed physically consequently there is labeling that occurs that can lead to this. Look at the racial and ethnic labeling going on right now in our world. Some people are scared to leave their homes and families. Hitler also used this approach and we know how many people were hurt in that concept and how it turned out. Not just scared because of the way they could be treated but also of physical harm that could happen. A citizen killed a person because he was wearing a hoodie assumed him to be up to no good. I cannot tell you how many times after a winter workout and sweating, I have pulled my hoodie up to keep from getting sick when going outside. The labeling theory is real and dangerous the sooner as a society we cease to use this approach or use it with caution the safer and happier our society will