Abstract
This paper explores three readings that highlight the sociology of deviance, labeling theory and critical constructionism, and moral entrepreneurs and two studies that report results from research conducted on the actions of city officials in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and moral panic. This paper examines the development of theories on moral entrepreneurships, labelling, moral panics and social problems. In addition it also examines Cohen (2011) and Brezina & Phipps’ (2010) research in relation to the three readings to suggest that the social reaction toward economically disadvantaged victims of Hurricane Katrina does not rise to the level of moral entrepreneurship and moral panic.
Introduction
Any individual, group, or organization that seeks to influence a group to adopt or maintain a new or existing norm is known as a moral entrepreneur, a term coined by Howard Becker. In other words they label behaviour as deviant or conforming and promote this label…show more content… An example of a modern moral entrepreneur is the gun control lobby in the United States, who feel that current gun control (moral panic) is insubstantial and therefore threatens society. Moral entrepreneurs fall into two categories: the rule creator, who expresses interest in combatting society’s evils (i.e. a flaw in an existing rule or law) and rule enforcer (i.e. the judicial system or police force).
Labeling theory is the theory of self-identity and behaviour of individuals being influenced by terms or labels used to describe them. Labeling theory became the predominant explanation to crime and deviance during the 1960s and is associated to social constructionism. The theory focuses on the tendency of society to negatively label individuals, minorities, or those seen as deviant from standard cultural
