Who Am I? An Asian Woman Examines Identity Through Six Sociological Theories

Introduction: Three Issues, Six Lenses

This paper compares six major elemental theories in sociology — (1) phenomenology, (2) symbolic interaction, (3) social exchange and rational choice, (4) functionalism, (5) conflict theory, and (6) postmodernism — as studied through class and outside readings, discussions, and films. The central question is: how do these six theories jointly help in understanding, within a global context, an important and still-unresolved issue? Three candidate issues emerge from personal experience: body image as an Asian woman measured against American beauty ideals, the gendered assumptions that surround a woman who enjoys traditionally masculine sports, and the everyday reality of being a racial minority in a predominantly white community.

Body Image: Asian Identity vs. American Beauty Ideals

Today, society is becoming increasingly obese, and yet the ideal body image remains that of a tall, leggy blonde with long hair, a tan, and a perfect figure built for a bikini. My own body is thin, but I am far from that American ideal — and so the question arises: does that make me ugly? When I look in the mirror, I don't think so. But when I see that ideal flaunted on television, in magazines, and even on my own university campus, my faith in myself is shaken.

Even Trinity in The Matrix has a perfect body, shown off in skin-tight black leather outfits that leave little to the imagination. In a modern world where thoughts are supposed to matter more than looks, The Matrix does not seem to practice what it preaches. I have dark, shiny hair, almond-shaped eyes, and a short body on short, sturdy legs. I don't wear bikinis very often, and I sometimes wonder whether that makes me less of a "woman" in some people's eyes.

As young women struggle with their own body images, they also struggle with self-esteem and feelings of worth. I struggle with those things too. Each of the six major sociological theories may help me understand myself, my body, and the image I project to others. Symbolic interactionism, for instance, would suggest that my sense of self is shaped by how I interpret the reactions of others — and the "ideal" image broadcast by media becomes a powerful social mirror.

Gender and Sports: Being a Woman in a Man's World

Another unresolved issue involves my interest in many sports typically coded as masculine. I enjoy baseball, the World Series, the Super Bowl, ice hockey, and figure skating. In a world where most of these pursuits are seen as decidedly male, I am often a rarity — a woman who genuinely enjoys watching sports, minus the beer. Within my own family I am something of an anomaly, and I honestly don't know where this enjoyment came from.

Looking at gender issues such as these can teach a great deal about how people relate to one another and about our own prejudices and misunderstandings. A woman alone in a sports bar is somewhat like a woman in a locker room — it happens, but a few eyebrows are still raised at the thought. I like sports, but I dislike the negative connotations that sometimes accompany that preference. My enjoyment sets me apart from many of my friends and family, and it raises questions about how social norms are constructed, enforced, and occasionally challenged by individuals who simply do not fit the expected mold.

Conclusion: Moving Toward Resolution

This country has come a long way in many areas, but it still has a long way to go in many more. Body image pressures, gendered assumptions about sports fandom, and the quiet marginalization of racial minorities are not isolated personal frustrations — they are structural issues that sociology's major theoretical frameworks can help illuminate. By applying phenomenology, symbolic interaction, social exchange theory, functionalism, conflict theory, and postmodernism to these lived experiences, it becomes possible to see their root causes more clearly, understand their consequences more fully, and begin to move toward their effective resolution.