The Identity Label 🏷️
As a society we are obsessed with labelling things! But how damaging are these labels and can they be used for good?
In the 1960s a sociologist named Howard Becker suggested that the label society places on us profoundly affects the way we behave. His research showed that people are more likely to re-offend after they have been labelled as a “criminal”.
His later research identified that places such as schools, juvenile detention centres and the military are key places that label individuals negatively. These negative labels then impact the way those individuals behave. This suggests that labels become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
❌ Negative Labelling 🏷️
I have encountered this phenomenon both in teaching and in the Youth Justice Service. In schools, entire families are often labelled as "troublesome," or children are tagged as "poorly behaved." These labels tend to circulate throughout the school, leading the entire staff to expect certain behaviours from these families and children. When they act in ways that align with these expectations, the labels are reinforced, further solidifying the self-fulfilling prophecy.
Similarly, within the Youth Justice Service, children and young people are frequently labelled as repeat offenders, with staff often remarking, “This one will be with us for a while” after just one or two offences. Families are also commonly labelled as "troublesome" or "hard to engage".
✅ Positive Labelling 🏷️
However, labels can also be leveraged for positive outcomes. Just as negative labels can reinforce unwanted behaviours, positive labels can encourage and nurture desired ones. When we label ourselves or others positively, behaviours often begin to reflect those affirming labels.
Fortunately, I've seen this in both schools and the Youth Justice Service. Assigning labels like "supportive" and "easy to engage" to families, even as a small shift, can have a lasting impact. Similarly, describing children and young people as "motivated," "determined," and "full of potential" can significantly influence their behaviour in a positive way.
It’s important to ensure these positive labels are used consistently when interacting with children and families and echoed by various staff members. While many of us, including myself, may have unintentionally used negative labels in the past, it's crucial to ensure that such labels are never applied when speaking directly to children and families.
✔️ A Small Change 🔀
Labelling people and families has a profound impact. Switching to positive labels, even when they may not be explicitly true, has the potential to result in long-lasting changes. Be mindful the next time you are discussing children and families at work!