Erikson argues that deviance is NOT an objective quality of behavior; rather, social audiences label deviance based on directly or indirectly witnessing such behavior. In short, deviance is less about statistical evidence and more a quality of social reaction. Using drunk driving as an example, how does audience reaction establish boundaries between recreational drinking and drunk driving, especially the legal response to the latter? In your answer pay particular attention to age of offenders as an important boundary.
How audience reaction establish boundaries
The legal response serves as a boundary marker by emphasizing that although some forms of drinking may be considered “recreational” or socially acceptable among certain age groups, individuals who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming any amount of alcohol will face harsher penalties than others who have properly designated someone else as a driver. By criminalizing drunk driving specifically for underage drinkers, governments make it very clear that there is no room for leniency in regards to preventing such behavior from happening in society.