Howard Becker

Howard Becker is a sociologist best known for his ideas on how society defines and labels deviance and social norms. He argued that behaviors are not inherently deviant; rather, they become so when society labels them as such. This concept suggests that social context and interaction are crucial in understanding behavior. Becker's work challenges the notion of fixed moral boundaries, highlighting that different groups may have varying definitions of what is acceptable or unacceptable. His insights encourage us to consider the role of societal reactions in shaping individuals' identities and experiences.