Problem: “The number of young people joining gangs in urban centers has doubled, while the number of gang leaders serving time in prison and they are released after good behavior. The crime rate related to gang violence has increased 20% compared to last year” (American Intercontinental University, 2015). The level of deviance could be better justified through the theory of cultural deviance. Labeling theory may offer a small explanation for why there has been a huge increase in young people joining inner-city gangs in relation to the release of the gang leader. It is extremely difficult to test labeling theory with perceptions of gang leaders once they are reintegrated into society. The labeling theory can only be tested through gang leaders' recidivism rates. It provides no real understanding of why self-perception only leads to such negative outcomes