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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.
Audience reaction is a powerful tool that can be used to establish boundaries between recreational drinking and drunk driving, as well as the legal response to them. One example of this is the different responses depending on the age of the offender. Underage individuals are subject to more severe punishments than adults for drunk driving, as minors are not legally allowed to consume alcohol in many places. Furthermore, even if they do drink underage they should still never attempt to drive while under the influence due to their lack of experience behind the wheel and risk of causing an accident.
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.