Alexander Esteves

5/4/2010

Sociology 101

Tokiko

Labels in the Lower Class

When everyone tries to find they're place in the world they end up in one of three spots,

upper class, middle class, or lower class. However, of how these classes are reached, the lower

classes have the most interesting reasoning from plain its there own fault to theories like labeling

theory. Elijah Anderson and Herbert J. Gans have written very interesting articles both directly

related to this subject.

In Anderson's “code of the streets”, he examines the affect of labeling inside of the lower

classes leading to a subculture of deviance called the “streets”. Gans instead takes a look at the

lower classes in his article “Uses of the Underclasses in America”. Focusing heavily on the lower

end of society and foreign immigrants working in America.

Both authors us various forms of evidence when examining they're aspects of study in the

deviance of American lower classes. Gans and Anderson uses many sources to support their ideas

and theories. However, while using support on tying ideas to several sociological perspectives it

seems to me that the authors on occasion would use observational proof to support claims. While
this is a very useful tactic in writing it also has the problem of being vague and not really

supportive while creating many useful connections and lingual flourishes.

What I enjoyed about these two articles and authors is that while discussing seemingly

different topics they are actually quite related. Elijah focuses almost entirely on the subculture of

Americas lower class. The distinctions between normality and deviance. Gans also focuses on the

lower class of America albeit a different aspect. Instead of the focus on the “street:, Gans looks at

lower class citizens from other countries. Those working in the lower classes professions (or as

upper class would refer to as the dregs). While in common there are obvious differences in the

articles, that being primarily the subject matter. What is very interesting is the disagreement the

two authors show very clearly. The disagreement has to do with the idea of good versus bad when

it comes to the lower class. Gans understands/believes that the lower class is very important to

society. He basically puts being in poverty as a positive light for the world. Whereas Anderson

accepts that having people in poverty is necessary to a degree it is overtly a negative force in the

world. For the people and for society as a whole.

Anderson throughout his writing seems to wholly endorse conflict theory. Now conflict

theory is when a label places people into a position when they become deviants. This is seen very

often when referring to when first time offenders are called deviants. But soon after succumb to

the title and fall to secondary deviance. While Gans seems to completely support functionalism.

He shows how immigrants from other countries come here to work the lower end jobs. Both also
support several deviant theories. The most common deviant theory is deviant subculture. Both

recognize and analyze that there is a culture within normal society that functions as a deviant.

Andersons following different rules and Gans Immigrant culture. Also labeling theory plays a

large role. That role being how every individual in both instances suffer from the issue of a label

placing them in society and essentially ruining the chance of those people from advancing.

While all is very interesting and applicable Gans article was written in 1972. Although this

was written a long time ago his argument is still quite valid. This is seen as immigrants still send

home remittances to their families. A very common practice. Although Gans was before our time

with his writing its observationally accurate to society as a whole which is why it still applies to

society today.

Both Articles to me seem they don't need much improving other than my personal belief that the

could have more support (if just a tad).

Gans and Anderson are both brilliant writers in their own right. Entering and understanding

Class roles and the inequality within the subcultures. Both accurate and portraying importance of

the lower class. With or without the lower classes they are one way or another necessary to all of

us.