Question

Given historically early examples of shaming, as well as a more recent example (it seems to pop up in the media from time to time), provide an example of shaming. If possible, provide a link to your recent example.
Discuss whether you think shaming is a useful tool of social control. Why or why not? Are there any negative associations with shaming?

Answer 1

In the past, the goal of shaming was to make the criminal feel ashamed for his/her crime that they committed. Shaming is a punishment that occurs in public places like the market square.The goal for shaming criminals publicly was to intimidate or scare the public in hopes that crime rates will decrease or stay under control. Public shaming still exists but is not as harsh as early practices of shaming. Historically early examples of shaming include exercises such as hanging, whipping, branding, stoning, and mutilation. Most shaming nowadays evolves mainly around sex offenders. In 2008, a judge in Hudson, Kansas ordered a man who admitted to molesting a young boy to post signs on all four sides of his home and the sides of his car (News). Another recent example of shaming happens online. The online shaming involves Cyber Bullying and has developed a name of “slut-shaming” (Fagbenle). Slut-shaming is where a photo of a victim is shared virtually. Peers will then comment on the photo calling the victim terrible names and make the victim feel humiliated. In the past, shaming took place in town squares for the offender to be shamed in front of the town, but now people have turned to networking sites to share photos/videos to shame people openly to the world.

I do think shaming is a useful tool of social control because many individuals fear public humiliation. However, there are some negative associations with shaming. One downside to shaming is the safety of the offenders. Shaming can endanger a criminal's safety because, in some cases, the criminal has to tell the public about the crime they committed. Some criminals have to go to a particular place at a specific time for a set number of years and talk about their crime. If someone has revenge set against that criminal, then they will know the criminal's specific whereabouts on the days they have to talk about their crime.

References:

Fagbenle, T. (2013, January 7). Online 'Shaming' A New Level Of Cyberbullying For Girls : NPR. National Public Radio. Retrieved August 30, 2013, from http://www.npr.org/2013/01/07/168812354/online-shaming-a-new-level-of-cyberbullying-for-girls

News. (2008, March 25). Sex offender ordered by judge to post signs. Fox News. Retrieved August 30, 2013, from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,341268,00.html.