Social Norms in America Keep us together as a culture, but at the same time separate us as unique individuals. Folk customs, which are based more on custom and etiquette, are the most broken of all norms. This can be explained because, in the worst case scenario, our only reproach might be someone staring at us or talking about us. The customs, while a little more serious than folk customs, still do not involve very serious punishment, perhaps just a little more than strange looks, double entendres, and swear words. Customs are usually based on social morals, which can sometimes make people a little uncomfortable, but not much more. Laws are the most severe or formal rules, with standard punishments related to the type of law being broken. The rule I have chosen to discuss, in my opinion, affects all three of these categories. I chose to analyze a television talk show and the guests it attracts. Maury Povich, although previously known as one of the more serious talk shows with fairly reasonable guests and topics, has become more of a "Jerry Springer" type of talk show. It's almost so vile that you just have to watch it as some kind of spectacle; At least that's my roommate's excuse. On Monday, March 14, the show aired the topic "My Boyfriend Controls My Every Move." Since Maury was drifting away from his almost daily topic of "Who's the daddy of my kids," I decided to give it a look. I was absolutely shocked by the things these couples were saying. There was one couple in particular who really had my full attention and had been married for about twenty years. This woman was forced to do everything her husband told her, otherwise she would be punished. Her tasks included cleaning, cooking, shopping, combing and washing her husband... middle of paper ... Feminist theory fits this behavior better because it is strictly applied to one gender and is very stereotypical. be like this. Secondly, labeling theory also fits well because the vast majority of people believe that their actions are wrong and deviant and even though these men may not accept their deviant status, they still realize that what they are doing it to their girlfriends is seen as deviant to most people. Differential association relates to this topic, because the behavior was learned from someone close to these men. In most cases one could generalize what can be learned from fathers who engage in this aggressive behavior towards mothers. While it might be a little off topic, I think that even though domestic violence is a form of deviant behavior, coming on national television to brag about it to the world is just as bad..