As we learn about the labeling theory we learn that people live up to their labels and society sees the person acting how they expect. My mom always called me pretty and smart. Those words today hold so much value in our society. In my personal experience I do believe I have tried to live up to the 'labels' my mother gave me from such a young age.

When I was in middle school countless hours were spent trying to be pretty. I tried to have the good hair and clothes but most importantly I thought pretty meant skinny. I turned to bad habits to try and become skinny and by freshman year of highschool I looked emaciated. Since then I have overcame my struggles but everyday is still a battle with myself of pretty I make sure my makeup is perfect and my hair looks nice and if I dont feel pretty generally I dont have a great day. 

My mom also told me often how smart I was. I believed her and I flew threw allmy elementary and middle school classes with above average grades. However when highschool came around I was taking honors classes and doubting my intelligence I knew I was smart but sometimes the material made me feel otherwise. I didnt think I needed to study for any tests because I was smart. I got a very harsh awakening when I realized there were soooo very many people smarter than me in highschool. I tried vigorously to maintain my label of smart but somehow felt like I never met all the requirements.

My point here is that labels have such a large impact on our lives, in the present and the future. If we live up to what everyone calls us we may only be selling ourselves short, and end up taking deviant paths to achieve the labels we think we carry with us. Do you have any labels and if so how have they impacted your life?