Depending on where you live (elizabeth City NC), it might not be alarming to see people  dancing to their favorite music. However, there are societies where  dancing in public is viewed as deviant behavior. The dancers may not  view their behavior as problematic until they are faced with disapproval  from members of their society.

According to labeling theory, the manner in which members of a  society react to behaviors determines what is considered deviant within a  society. What is considered deviant within society changes over time  and can vary significantly across cultures.

For this assignment, you will use your sociological imagination with a  focus on labeling theory to write about perceptions of deviance in  society and how those perceptions change over time and vary across  cultures.

Click the links for the Arab News and Sociology Live! videos:

• Arab News. (2018, June 23). Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving 
•  Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4POZPgMLk

  Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.

  Also note: Closed captioning is available on this video.

• Sociology Live! (2015, November 6). Labeling theory 
•  Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHSvZZ1pnm0

  Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.

  Also note: Closed captioning is available on this video.

For this assignment:

• Using labeling theory, describe a behavior that might have been  labeled by society as deviant in the past but is now considered  acceptable or even courageous.
• Explain why the behavior was deemed deviant and why the perception has changed.
• Describe if you or someone you know has ever participated in a  deviant act OR describe in what type of situation you might find it  acceptable for someone to do something that might be perceived as  deviant.
• Write at least 300 words.