Running head: LABELING THEORY TO TRAIT THEORY 1

Labeling theory vs. trait theory on Prostitution Crime

Name
Institution
Date
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From the year 1910, most of the religious and civic agencies in the U.S. began developing

a global campaign against prostitution citing it as immoral. Even though the government and other

agencies are likely to perceive the act of prostitution as an immoral act, thus, based on an

individual’s social view, it is then acceptable (Barkan, 2013). Moreover, someone may view

prostitution as an immoral act, and this again will be based on an individual’s sociological

perspective. For instance, if someone has grown up living in an environment full of prostitutes or

pimps, then such individual will consider prostitution as an acceptable act or way of living and

surviving. Similarly, an individual who has not been in such environment or had an encounter with

prostitution, and then he or she will tend to view such action as unjust and deviant.

Both the labeling theory and trait theories explain prostitution based on different

perspectives or views regarding what the society believe prostitution to be. Labeling theory

highlights how self-identity and behavior of people are likely to be influenced or determined by

the terms used in describing or classifying them (Siegel, 2007). The theory is related to the

concepts of stereotyping and self-fulfilling prophecy, and further implies that deviance is not deep-

rooted to an act, instead, it focusses on the tendency of majorities to label the minorities negatively.

Thus, labeling theory is likely to be defined by stating that an individual will accept what others

believe that he or she is by the label they are given. For instance, if a person is labeled a slut or

fag, such an individual will not try to deny with the label placed upon her or him. As a result, the

person will accept what she or he is defined by and moves on without rebuttal. As implied by

Henslin, the label that an individual is given becomes part of her or his self-concept, which in turn

leads to what is believed to be deviance or steer away from such individual from deviance (Barkan,

2013). Thus, if a person is labeled as a prostitute in the society then based on labeling theory he or
LABELING THEORY TO TRAIT THEORY 3

she will consider herself or himself as a prostitute and start associating with prostitutes since the

society gave him or her that label.

On the other hand, trait theory of criminology states that some personality traits are likely

to predispose a person to the crime. The personality trait theory is based on the mix between

environmental and biological factors (Barkan, 2013). It is believed that all human beings have

parameters set by individual genetics, and individual experiences determine how people would act

in the society. Sociologists as well stress on how both genetic and biological conditions influence

the view and the understanding of social behaviors, which in the end are linked to the existing

environmental structure. Trait theorists assert that there are multiple factors that determine an

individual’s personality (Siegel, 2007). Therefore, resulting in different several views on what

makes up an individual’s personality.

Trait theorists state that prostitution is caused by some behaviors or influence from peer

groups having such traits. It is noted that some do have such characters that are likely to be due to

the biological factors or environmental factors (Barkan, 2013). Moreover, these traits are

hierarchical or are from family line, therefore one is likely not to shift away from the trend but

instead join them. A person can as well be influenced by some environmental factors, which among

them would be the groups they associate with the society. Within the society, we live with these

people and this is cannot be denied, in the process when one grows in a family of prostitutes or in

an environment dominated by prostitutes then he or she would not see the immorality in it at all.

Someone has grown in such an environment will see no immoral act because maybe that is the

trend of life that brought them up, as it is evident that prostitution is a way of living of some people

across the world (Siegel, 2007). Therefore, prostitution can be explained as a trait acquired by an

individual based on the environmental and biological factors.

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Based on these theories the aspect of prostitution can be reduced to some extent. For

instance, based on the trait theory it would be significant to understand the environment or the

background of one involved in the act (Barkan, 2013). By understanding such individuals enables

one to gain insights regarding the reason as to why such individual involves in the act. After

identifying the reason behind the act, it will be important to help such a person to restrain because

he or she might be doing not because of poverty but she or he was influenced by the environmental

factors (Siegel, 2007). Thus, by understanding one’s background it will be better if there are some

initiatives that would be taken into consideration such as programs explaining the effects of

prostitution.

Moreover, the label theory as well would be based on self-identity whereby it identifies or

associates one with how the society classifies them (Barkan, 2013). As result one then takes the

name and makes it part of his or her life given that the society views them in such perspective.

However, by the society restraining from such act, they tend to feel included as compared to being

secluded by the members of the society. In such situations, the community should embrace better

values and morals, associate them with individuals, and not just call names (Siegel, 2007).

In conclusion, based on the two theories the trait theories explain the aspect of position in

a more inclusive and exploratory way. In that, the trait theorists tend to provide the reason behind

such behavior and what is likely to be the factor facilitating or enhancing the activity among

individual. Through the identification of the root cause then the problem is almost solved. In that,

individuals will have a different view from how they view prostitutes and prostitution as a whole.
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Reference

Barkan, S. E. (2013). Social problems: Continuity and change. Flat World Knowledge,

Incorporated.

Siegel, L. J. (2007). Criminology: theories, patterns, and typologies Wadsworth. Thomson

Learning (ISBN 0-495-00572-X, ISBN 978-0-495-00572-8).