Sociology Coursework: Labelling: Fact or Fiction?

For my research topic, I have chosen to examine the cause and effect of labelling in schools in the 21st century. I have decided to choose this topic for two main reasons. Firstly, the subject of academic achievement, and the reasons why some students appear to do well or poorly based on gender or ethnicity is very topical, and widely discussed in modern day Britain. Secondly, there is debate in sociology over how much labelling can affect students, or if it has any relevance at all. Indeed, labelling theorists strongly believe labelling is a social fact, even though they are opposed to them.

One study in particular that relates to this is Margaret Fuller’s 1984 study on a number of black girls in a London comprehensive school. Fuller concluded that the girls resented their negative stereotype of being both female and black, and felt many of their teachers expected them to fail, de...