Sociology Essays Examples Essays (Examples)

This is not hubris or the idea that the author of this response is any "better" than that of Giddens. However, sociology texts and summaries seem to leave out the idea that some actions, thought patterns and mindsets that are cultural and/or societal in nature make little to no logical or basic sense in the grand scheme of things. However, perhaps a covering of that dynamic would be too prone to bias and what not for a textbook like this (Giddens, 2011).
Chapter Three

The third chapter of the Giddens text is a very good read because it focuses on something that is a common thread to us all, that being socializing with other people including family and non-family as well as general life course and aging. This is something that everyone needs to know but, maddeningly enough, a lot of people fail to grasp completely, if at all. However,…

And as we have gained greater scientific, medical, technological and ideological diffusiveness, theorists from every discipline concerning human matters have required their own lens for examination. For instance, the text by Conrad & Gabe (1999) focuses the whole of its discussion on the relationship between social systems and our ever-growing body of knowledge on systems specific to the physical makeup of the human being. Indeed, the authors provide an extremely compelling impetus for the continually expanding and splintering discourse under the sociology umbrella, demonstrating that with fundamental changes in our knowledge of human anatomy, genetics and evolutionary processes must come changes in the way we interpret social systems related to these dimensions of the species. Conrad & Gabe point out that "sociologists have researched other areas of genetics, including the social construction of genetic knowledge, the emergence and implications of genetic testing, the social control potential of genetic information and…

Sociology, Identity, and Families

I would like to write about the concept of self in sociology this week because I have learned to evaluate the relationship between the internal and external self and the influence that society plays on developing who we are as individuals. When taken in the perspective of how we view children in society as influential and subject to the perspectives of key people, one would believe that we develop our identity based upon a culmination of all of our experiences and social influences. The institutions of education and religion are believed to be process by which socialization and identity development occur in the external world and therefore our external self is the result of these factors. Society and family are viewed as the agents by which individuals are molded into the people they are to become and this can be best accomplished through the use of…

ociology
The difference between micro and macro perspectives in sociology is that the latter looks into the role of social institutions in influencing social life and interaction, while the former is centered on studying social interaction itself, which happens between individuals or people who are also members of the society.

The distinction between the two perspectives become easier to understand when applied in the context of a particular social phenomenon, such as the proliferation of gang membership among members of minority communities such as Latinos, Asians, and other marginalized sectors in American society. Looking at this social phenomenon in a micro perspective, gang membership is analyzed and interpreted as one way for people to seek companionship and feel belonged to a group, having lived in a society where sometimes, racial or cultural differences are not tolerated. Gang membership at the micro perspective is considered an individual's way of creating an…

There is some suggestion on observation that many students of the dominant norm on campus do not engage in activities that might help Asian or other minority students feel as though they were members of a unique family or society with no racial or cultural boundaries. ather, there is much in the way of stereotypical behaviors observed among the subtype population and the larger student body (Anderson & Taylor, 2006).
It seems however, many administrators, regardless of student behavior, are supportive of efforts by the subtype class to promote greater awareness among the dominant culture of cultural similarities. For example, in the environment explored, there are weekly meetings held as noted by flyers that suggest a "diversity" day be held bi-annually. On this day professors may interact with students and require subtypes and dominant typed students to interact with one another in focus group activities that require conversation, communication and…

Sociology Portfolio
The social experience evolves around different dimensions that influence people's everyday experiences and realities in life. Inherent in every event, interaction, individual, and even tangible material/artifact are reflective of a specific kind of social order. Everything is social, and using this premise, this Sociology Portfolio provides a survey of literature and relevant material that illustrate the role that social experience plays in the development of current and essential issues affecting people's lives across nations/countries in the world.

This survey of relevant materials on sociology provides different scenarios in which sociology and its principles and concepts are applied in "real world" issues and problems societies face today. These literature materials are journal (scholarly) articles as well as popular ones, taken from newspapers and/or magazines. Two (2) films are also included to demonstrate how social issues are depicted on "reel," as interpreted realistically or artistically (symbolically) in the film.

The…

Sociology: Changing Societies in a Diverse World (Fourth Edition)
George J. Bryjak & Michael P. Soroka

Chapter One Summary of Key Concepts

Sociology is the field of study which seeks to "describe, explain, and predict human social patterns" from a scientific perspective. And though Sociology is part of the social sciences (such as psychology and anthropology), it is quite set apart from the other disciplines in social science; that is because it emphasizes the study of social groups - and how those social groups shape the thoughts and actions of humans.

The two phases of modernization: the first phase was the Industrial Revolution, which had a dramatic effect on countries like the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand; the second phase began post-WWI and continues now. Globalization alludes to the movement of industry - jobs, people and capital - from one society (and country) to another, as economies grow,…

The South district of my town is primarily comprised of African-Americans with a white/black ratio of 15% 85%. The area is known for the highest level of crime as compared to any other area in and around the city. This enables the oppressive motive behind those who empower such ignorance as they base their final opinions, which dictate their actions, on the entire culture or population of African-Americans in association to one person and their actions. Almost as if a single criminal is appointed to represent his entire race through his actions simply because he is part of that race. This is stereotyping at its clearest existence. Though one would be correct in assuming that the lower end communities in my town and in other towns across the world are likely to accompany higher crime rates, higher poverty standards and an abundance of welfare recipient families; it would not be…

Her work in social settlements dealt with the problems created by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration. Unlike many other settlement houses, Addams' Hull-House residence provided kindergarten and day care facilities for the children of working mothers; an employment bureau; an art gallery; libraries; English and citizenship classes; and theater, music and art classes. "As the complex expanded to include thirteen buildings, Hull-House supported more clubs and activities such as a Labor Museum, the Jane Club for single working girls, meeting places for trade union groups, and a wide array of cultural events." (UCI, 2005) During this time, Addams also penned books, speeches, and newspaper articles advocating for the rights of the poor to better housing and conditions, as well as for the peace movement. Thus Adams was the first activist to unite social theories about the empowerment of women to the empowerment of the poor, and to the international trade movements…

Sociology
Symbolic-interactionism is a dynamic theory of society that emphasizes process and change over institution and structure. In Symbolic Interactionism, Joel Charon describes the theory and applies it to a more general study of sociology. In Terrorism and the Politics of Fear, David Altheide applies various theories of sociology including symbolic-interactionism toward understanding how a society collectively agrees upon fear-based symbols and messages.

In Chapter 11, "Society," Joel M. Charon defines society from a symbolic-interactionism perspective. The symbolic-interactionism perspective defines society as "individuals in action," as opposed to a static entity (p. 152). Emphasizing the interactions between individuals, or between individuals and entities, the symbolic-interactionism approach stresses factors like social processes and social change. According to Charon, there are three qualities of society that make it viable from a symbolic-interactionism perspective. These three qualities include ongoing social symbolic interaction; cooperation or interdependence; and culture.

Ongoing social symbolic interaction refers to…

Sociology: Marx, Weber and Research Approach
When Karl Marx observed how the Industrial Revolution, with its new capitalist economic system, was affecting society and social life, he was especially concerned with the division industrialization brought into society. In his view, this new revolution polarized society into the bourgeoisie (those who own the means of production, the factories and the land) and the much larger proletariat (the working class who actually perform the labor necessary to extract something valuable from the means of production.)

In Marx's view, industrial capitalism presented many flaws as they went against certain implicit values that Marx based his own philosophy upon including: universal ethical values, which he believed were hindered by the presence of capitalism and the dimension it brought into the workforce and political atmosphere of the time.

Ib.)

While Marx found the idea of industrial capitalism segregating in terms of society, he viewed the…

More precisely, "studies show that disabled persons experience lower labor force participation rates, higher unemployment rates, and higher part-time employment rates than nondisabled persons." This is largely due to the fact that there is a sense of discrimination. Still, while the United States, more or less, is independent from this point-of-view, in terms of Germany, its approach is strictly connected to that of the European Union. A proof of this aspect is the actual statement made in 1999 to strengthen its commitment "to achieving the integration into employment and work of people with disabilities by promoting equal social standards for them" thus excluding discrimination. Moreover, the Treaty of Amsterdam which was fully accepted by Germany points out the need for a fair and non-discriminatory behavior.
There are several aspects which must be taken into account concerning the German way of handling the problem of people with disabilities. Thus, according to…

Sociology
Nazi Germany and how it would be analyzed by Karl Marx, Max Weber and/or Emile Durkheim

Max Weber, born in 1864, is one of the best-known and most popular scholars of 'sociology', as well as of 'economic work'. One of his best contributions to the cause of economics as well as to sociology is his work entitled "Vertstehen" or what is also known as the theory of 'Interpretative Sociology' and his thinking on 'positivism'. Weber's theory of Verstehen is often seen as being very controversial and questionable. His view is that any research that is connected to history or sociology or economics must be approached with a particular idea or concept, or what is called a 'conceptual apparatus'. This apparatus was referred to be Weber as the 'ideal type', meaning that when an individual needs to understand or comprehend a particular sociological phenomenon, the various 'actions' of the different…

When functionalists consider the preponderance of social deviance, they make a note of the positive role that inappropriate behavior plays in maintaining the health of a society. By soliciting outrage in others, a deviant can clarify and reinforce social norms while strengthening a group's sense of community togetherness (Harris, n.d.).
The conflict perspective, which stemmed originally out of Karl Marx's writings on class struggles, presents society in a different light than do the functionalists. While the functionalist perspective focuses on the positive aspects of society that contribute to its stability, the conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever-changing nature of a society. Unlike functionalists who defend the status quo, avoid social change, and believe people cooperate to effect social order; conflict theorists challenge the status quo, encourage social change, and believe rich and powerful people force social order on the poor and the weak (Three Major Perspectives in…

"They've got their rules and we've got nothing to do with that" or "He has to learn the rules, just like anybody else" are key phrases which sustain this idea.
The two opponent groups are both looking to improve their performances in terms of privilege and power. The scene in which the prisoners are working and the pavement of the street and become motivated to work rapidly is also representative, as it points out their success in front of the authorities, therefore the earning of a privilege, more free time. On the other hand, the working conditions, the punishments they are being submitted to ("spending a night in the box") show the difference of status and the inequality between the two groups, which is the genesis of the conflict. Same does the appellative "boss" used with high frequency along the movie.

It is interesting to analyze the concept of "group…

Sociology
Trey Parker and Matt Stone's television show South Park is a sociological show by nature. Every episode is imbued with the sociological imagination, and asks the viewer to think critically as well as comically about situational psychology and sociology. This is true for the Season 7 Episode 5, entitled "Fat Butt and Pancake Head." The theme of the episode is ethnic and linguistic stereotyping and issues related to diversity in America. "Fat Butt and Pancake Head" begins with a set of South Park Elementary School presentations on Latino contributions to American society. Most of the students give straightforward reports about contributions of Latinos to American society, but Eric Cartman's report is different. Instead of offering a dry explication of how Latinos are present in every sector of society, he paints a caricature of Latina superstar Jennifer Lopez on his hand. The caricature has an exaggerated accent and makes references…

Individuals group themselves through the process of social identification as woman or nurse, etc. This classification enables the individual to define his social environment. Thus, identification answers the question "Who am I?" To some extent. Through the involvement with reference groups in social situations, individuals set up social identities.
Three major functions offered by the reference groups are: the determination of the traits, competencies, and values for a specific social identity. Individuals form two identities, namely, a 'global' identity and a 'role-specific' identity. The identity that is depicted in all circumstances is global identity. The role-specific identity is used for the communication with reference group response from group members. In social situations, the reference groups refer to one's co-workers, friends, etc. The identity-specific reference groups offer the social feedback, which is imperative in the development of the perceived self. Thus, the possible hierarchy for identities is global identity and then…

Sociology
In studying the individual, it is inevitable that a thorough analysis of the society s/he lives be conducted, in order to generate a better understanding that influences the individual's personality and development. Social sciences take into account the essential role that society plays in shaping the individual's attitudes, feelings, beliefs and behavior about important and trivial concerns in life. People's sentiments are best reflected through the character of the society they interact with.

Socialization, as a process of human interaction, is the most immediate way in which an individual acquires and adopts or rejects these learned values, attitudes, beliefs and behavior. The society, in return, is also altered by the presence of the individual; however, it is a fact that society has a bigger role in shaping and developing every individual. Without society, an individual ceases to be an individual, for s/he cannot have people to interact with and…

Sociology: Deviant Behavior
'Instead of Fighting Deviance, Americans Just Get Used to It" an Analysis

According to the article "Instead of Fighting Deviance, Americans Just Get Used to It" ichard Starr suggests that deviance has become so much the norm that people in America are becoming desensitized to it. Starr begins with a re-cap of two news stories which tell of injuries to children wounded by gunfire and another of police breaking up a homeless illegal settlement. His focus is on deviant behavior and patterns of deviance in the United States in recent years.

Starr suggests that ordinary people are becoming more and more accustomed to violent crime just happening. Further he argues that it is a fact in the United States that there are circumstances, violent ones that exist that people choose to not notice. More and more behavior that in times of old would have been considered deviant…

Sociology
Principle of rationality- the process in which a society achieves organization through abstract and explicitly stated rules and procedures (social norms and regulations).

Formal rationality- a shift from traditional and spontaneous methods of organization towards a more abstract and explicit development and implementation of rules and procedures in the society.

Disenchantment- a feeling or state in which the individual no longer feels satisfaction for an activity s/he is tasked to accomplish; when expectations received is less than the effort given to achieve that reward or expectation.

Charismatic leaders- an individual whose ability to lead was determined based on his/her exceptional or supernatural quality that his/her followers or people can uniquely attribute to him/her.

Religious doctrines and human identity- the relationship between these two concepts emerge when religion helps promote integration among individuals in a particular religious group. Upon integration, the individual assumes his/her identity based on her affiliation with…

SOCIOLOGY
Would it be either desirable or possible to establish a truly classless society? Why? Provide both supporting and opposing viewpoints. In other words, the pros and cons to this type of society.

It is not entirely clear whether it would be either desirable or possible to establish a truly classless society. However, the idea of a truly classless society offers many advantages. First, a truly classless society would eliminate the conflicts and tensions which presently exist between the "haves" and the "have nots." The source of these conflicts and tensions is primarily due to the fact that certain individuals (i.e., "have nots") cannot afford even basic needs such as clothing, food, health insurance, and shelter while other individuals (i.e., "haves") may afford not only basic needs but also "luxury" items such as sports utility vehicles.

Next, a truly classless society would allow every individual to compete solely on the…

It is evident that poor people, who have a low purchasing power and low production of foodstuffs, will be subject to malnutrition as compared to their counterparts, who have massive income and high production of foodstuffs.
The study of sociology is relevant to aiding in the understanding of health in as far as social factors are concerned. In trying to understand the sociological aspect of health, one needs to take into account structural and social factors rather than basing his or her arguments on the biological explanations of health and disease (arry and Yuill 2011, p.17). Symbolic interaction is one of the most influential sociological perspectives that medical professionals can employ in their bid to understand health behaviors that seem to be irrational. The study of sociology for health care providers, therefore, is fundamental as it gives them a holistic approach towards health care provision since it emphasizes on linking…

Introduction · Wright Mills, a well-established sociologist, defines sociological imagination as the ability to see things from a social perspective and establish a relationship between society's history and biography. Sociological imagination requires one to pull out from the issue of study to have an outsider perspective. Pulling out is necessary to ensure one is not biased (Mills, p.6).
· The importance of teaching sociological imagination is to help individuals to understand their position in society. Understanding personal psychosocial nature and that of the environment help in handling teams composed of diverse cultures.
· Functionalist Theory views society as a system composed of different components that work together to accomplish a goal. We can view education as one of the community's elements that makes it complete and teaching as an activity that focuses on improving individuals' lives. Learning helps improve self-esteem, and it can be used as a platform to understand…

Essentials of SociologyHow did Karl Marx differ from Max Weber in his conception of social class?Karl Marxs main argument was that class was determined by economic factors only. However, Max Weber argued that social stratification could not solely be defined by class and the economic factors that affect class relationships. In Marxs argument, class is a social group whose members have the same relationship to the production means. Marx states there are two major social classes, namely the ruling class and the subject class. The ruling class has power since they control them and own forces of production. Therefore, the ruling class can use its power to exploit the subject class resulting in a fundamental conflict of interests between the two classes. The relationship between the two classes is one of mutual dependence, even if there are conflicts. In a capitalist society, the ruling class cannot operate the machinery, and…

Sociology Q’s 1. How is action different from mere behavior, according to Weber? Give examples.
For Weber, action and behavior are different in the sense that behavior is a purely mechanistic or mechanical movement of the body. It does not take into consideration an “other”. Action on the other hand is more deliberate in that it takes into consideration the behaviors of others and anticipates their responses or is predicated upon their initial expressions of behavior. Action is social, whereas behavior is essentially individualized and performed without any connectivity to or consideration for one’s society.
A behavior could become an action—i.e., a social action. Weber determined an action to be social whenever a person applied a subjective meaning to a particular behavior. For example, a person who washes his car because it is dirty is simply engaging in a behavior. A person who washes his car because he wants to…

American society does view identity and social belonging through intersecting lenses of race, class, and gender. The lenses through which people view society and themselves determine everything from self-concept to worldview and values. According to Lareau, lenses of gender and class are persistent because they are consciously and unconsciously transmitted through generations (747). The persistence of sociological lenses creates the illusion that race, class, and gender are deterministic, that they actually serve as legitimate means of classification, stratification, and judgment. The problem with lenses of all types is that they can too easily distort reality, making it seem like race, class, and gender are immutable when in fact they are socially constructed categories. Gender roles and norms are so persistent that even as society professes to have become more egalitarian, in fact the discourse on gender equity “did very little to change straight people’s perspectives on gender,” (Truscheit 1). Lip…

Especially in socially stratified societies, otherness is the quality of being labeled, perceived, and treated as different from the dominant group. Otherness is a relational construct that hinges on the construction of a hegemonic default: whether that hegemony is based on gender, ethnicity, social class, or any other designation the dominant culture deems valuable or important in maintaining its own superior status. Both a sociological and a psychological phenomenon, otherness has tremendous implications for how social institutions function, as well as how each individual forms self-concept, self-esteem, and identity. Otherness can therefore entail the internalization of the qualities the dominant group projects onto out-groups. In some cases, internalizing otherness leads to a sense of alienation and isolation; in other cases otherness can lead to embracing one’s status as a form of personal or group pride, forming an identity that is aligned not with the dominant culture but with a stigmatized…

Abstract Both Emile Durkheim and Herbert Spencer proposed an evolutionary sociology, whereby societies become increasingly complex and naturally exhibit changes in their social orders. Essentially functionalist in their respective approaches, Durkheim and Spencer also show how the division of labor functions to create social solidarity in complex societies. However, Durkheim and Spencer differ in their evolutionary analysis. Durkheim is far more optimistic than his predecessor, believing that the division of labor does not necessarily lead to pathological individualism. Moreover, Durkheim believes in an organic model of social order. Spencer, on the other hand, proposes a more utilitarian function of both cooperation and social order. Whereas Spencer believed in mutual cooperation for rational, self-seeking ends, Durkheim believed in interdependence for its own sake, as societies take on a life of their own.
Introduction
Concurrent with the social science zeitgeist of the nineteenth century, Emile Durkheim and Herbert Spencer studied the evolution…

Introduction The analysis below entails a discourse on sociology and theoretical foundation of education. The discussion address organizational and institutional issues that influence the role of the education system in reproducing social structures. Social issues such as ethnicity race and socio-economic are extensively addressed. The discourse concludes with a proposed policy recommendation of an education system that consolidates education and economic growth.
Education System and Social Order
The robustness of the meritocratic ideology in the education system remains a critical constraint to realizing social and economic equality in the US. The dominant perspective is evident in the employment culture in mainstream institutions in the US such as the government bureaus, factories, schools, offices among others (Bowles & Gintis, 1976). In a capitalized society such as the US, the legitimization of meritocratic hiring is a norm and made the hierarchical job-division a custom. The perspective has reinforced the ideology that technical…

Deviance
In the field of sociology, deviance is defined as the lack of conformity to social norms, which vary from one culture to another. Given the variations in social norms from one culture to another, a deviance act can be committed in one society, but may be considered normal in another. Cultures and subcultures have different social norms even when these cultures exist within a single country. An example of an unfamiliar culture to me is the culture of Korowai tribe in Indonesian New Guinea. Some of the customs I consider deviant in this culture is the practice of cannibalism and consideration of outsiders as “ghost-demons.” Korowai people are among the last people on earth who eat their fellow tribesmen (Raffaele, 2006). Moreover, this people do not embrace foreigners and threaten to kill those who enter their territory since they view outsiders as “ghost-demons.”
Korowai people are likely to consider…

Qualitative research in the social sciences depends on multiple means of data collection and analysis, including the tools used in narrative research and ethnography. Narrative research involves the telling of stories through both subjective and objective accounts. For example, narrative research may include interviews with subjects as well as documentary evidence like photographs. The result of narrative research will be a richly textured look at an individual, or at some other entity like a geographic place. Ethnography may utilize similar data collection and analysis methods used in narrative research, such as interviews and field notes. In fact, narration and interview are technically narrative data collection methods that are employed in ethnographic research. While ethnography can include some types of narrative research methods, though, the goal is more to understand a subculture or similar sociological phenomenon and not an individual person. Social science researchers should aim to understand the similarities and…

Social and Cultural Differences As The Economist (2008) reports, the idea that graffiti and litter can lead to more crime is an old one that was first put forward in the 1980s. The Broken Windows theory of Wilson and Kelling (1982) argued that neighborhoods that are not taken care of physically and that let acts of vandalism go on without cleaning them up or that suffer from too many abandoned buildings where there is no sense of ownership or responsibility will naturally attract crime because of the community’s lack of self-worth and general indifference. This indifference can lead to an escalation of crime from petty crime to more serious crime. The essence of the theory is that a community can deter crime by taking responsibility for itself and policing itself in the sense that it shows community pride in keeping its streets and homes clean and showing vandals and other…

Place of polygamy in the contemporary society Preamble
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary (2018), polygamy is the practice in marriage where one of the partners, of either sex, has more than one mate at the same. In the more contextually known setting is that a man gets to have more than one wife at the same time and commits to each of them as a husband. This is the definition that is more widely known, maybe because it is the arrangement that is socially experienced and acceptable in some societies spread across the globe. In the American concept, legally and socially and to some extent morally, polygamy has not been accepted as a normal way of life. There is that tendency to insist and emphasize on one partner at one time, such that if the partner would like to get into another relationship, then she or he has to obtain…

1. The factor that best explains the existence of the blue toy aisle and the pink aisle is a social factor. Pink is perceived as a feminine color and blue, a masculine color. Society has a big influence on what people think and create, generating a mindset that pink is feminine, and blue is masculine. Then they associate specific roles to these colors, generating domestic spheres where women are at home taking care of the family and men are at work. This leads to society where things like education opportunities and specific influences are made to strengthen these constructs rather than break them. The pink aisle has dolls and stuffed animals enforcing the lack of STEM potential in girls unlike the blue aisle where boys can pick up toys that help them learn to build and understand machinery. These conscious or subconscious cues are what enable boys to pursue areas…

Changing Family Part I
The salient features of the social problem of the changing family are these: the traditional family unit has changed drastically over the past century in the U.S. At the turn of the 20th century, two parent households were still very much the norm and the dynamic was such that the father went to work to earn the living for the family and the mother managed the domestic sphere, which consisted typically of raising and teaching children. Many large families were ethnic Europeans, some from Ireland, some from Poland, some from Germany, some from Italy—all of whom had come to America to seek new opportunities or to escape hardship in their native land. They came, however, to a land that was dominated politically and economically and eventually socially, by two major groups—White Anglo Saxon Protestants (WASPs) and Jews.
With much of the ethnic Europeans being primarily Catholic,…

INTRODUCTION People are social beings: they seek out others for conversation, support, love, communication, and even for contention. They adapt, conform, criticize, change and reflect and project the values and norms that flow in between and around them, from person to person, society to society, culture to culture. As a result, people and their identities are constantly undergoing revision, which most call natural development or growth—but “we forget that these things that appear natural were actually socially constructed” as DeLamater, Myers and Collett (2015:6) put it. This paper will explain how people are socially constructed, both inside and out—i.e., in the way they construct their internal identities to the way they behave outwardly, dress, and either conform to societal expectations and norms or reject them by conforming to a subculture or “non-conformist” social group. It the end, the same phenomenon is occurring: the social construction of human identities and norms.…

The first interpersonal interaction that I engaged in was at a nearby Christian church. As an international Asian student, I immediately stood out in the church, which was full of white faces. I had never been there but had been invited by a friend, who I will call Sheila. Sheila was well known at the church and I was introduced as her friend. I wore khaki pants and a black button-up shirt. I made an effort to be very polite to everyone; however, Western manners are very different from Asian manners and it is always interesting to see how friendly and outgoing Westerners are when meeting someone new. Looking back on my performance I can see that I was trying to match their friendliness, stride for stride, smile for smile. I do not think I have ever smiled so much in my life—not because I was happy but because I…

Introduction of Strategy Almost ten years back, the Austin History Center launched a new permanent exhibit on African American history in Travis County that has since inspired local activism, awareness, and community self-empowerment (Castillo, 2018). This strategy builds upon the success of the Austin History Center projects, which include the vast resources contained in the Austin History Center’s African American Community Archivist (2019). Building resilience through the arts, culture, and community pride will be the solution-focused approach to addressing persistent disparities in Travis County, Texas.
Vulnerabilities
A needs assessment of the African American community in Travis County reveals several areas of vulnerability this strategy aims to address by coordinating with existing ongoing initiatives and organizations.
Physical and Mental Health Disparities
Physical and mental health disparities are among the top vulnerabilities for the African American community in Travis County. Research reveals several major disparities in mental and physical health that render the…

Part I According to Table 12.2 of the family life cycle, the family is not a stable and constant entity but rather undergoes a series of disruptive changes. A good example of this is when an older child leaves home for college. Within a stable family environment, such a change is likely to be viewed in a positive way, as a step toward independence, but the parents will provide support if the child needs guidance. Some cultures may view children as less independent entities, however, which can cause conflict with the external values of the United States, if the child seeks a more autonomous lifestyle. Similarly, other parents may not provide emotional or financial support, which can be difficult for a young person today, due to the cost of living and education.
Part II
This information is enlightening because it shows how not all families experience the same event in…

Why I Cannot Leave My Mother The family bond varies and is relative to from one family to another. Some families display qualities of being supportive to each other within the family, yet other families are disjointed and do not care about each other. The relationship that I have with my family is hard to understand and very challenging since they truly love each other but repeatedly hurt each other at the same time. I was shaken when I read “Reunion” by John Cheever which is an account of the life of a boy who decided to divert from the footsteps of the father. The story begins with the boy, Charlie, waiting for his father at the Grand Central Station. He is excited to see his father because it has been a long time since he saw his father. When they finally meet each other, his dad seems a little…

Observations of the Relationships between Culture, Language, and Identity Part 1: The Lead/ What you already know about the topic
This paper works from the premise that our identities are influenced directly by the culture of our formative years and development: this includes the languages we speak. From this perspective “culture” actually refers to a melee of factors: the immediate culture of one’s family, the culture of one’s neighborhood/environment, and the culture of one’s work or school. Finally, one of the dominant forces upon culture, is of course, the dominant culture of one’s nation. Essentially, culture has a tremendous influence on identity and this includes a mix of national, societal, and familial culture. Culture makes a tremendous impact on how people view themselves and their place in the world, and often the path they take in life. In similar fashion, language has just as much influence. Language impacts how we…

Language is one of the many masks individuals and communities wear in their self-presentation, in their conscientious demarcation between self and other. In her rhetorical analysis of post-Rodney King Los Angeles in Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, Anna Deavere Smith uses the medium of theater to aptly convey the theme of identity construction. One of the characters, Rudy Salas, Jr. uses the mask metaphor most meaningfully in the play, showing how people do not remain true to their authentic selves. Instead, they put on masks that announce their affiliation with a racial, ethnic, or subcultural group. “Well, they put on the mask—you ever notice that?—it’s a sort of mask, it’s uh...you know how they stand in your face with the ugly faces,” (Smith 5). Masks are more than just wearing gang colors or adopting a scowl that signifies power in the community. The concept of mask even goes beyond visible features…

Instead, the welfare system encouraged perpetual social dependency and provided a reason for poor people not to work at all when the most reliable method of achieving financial independence (besides continuing education) is precisely, to begin working at minimum wage jobs while gradually learning skills and establishing contacts and a record of regular employment that are essential in the long- term goal of qualifying for better work in time (Healey, 2003 p56).
The Need for Welfare Reform:

While elements of government assistance programs are still subject to epidemic abuse (Schmalleger, 2007 p104), the reconfiguration mandated by Congress in 1996 are designed to rectify some of the most glaring problems plaguing the federally administrated programs previously. First and foremost, the new state-run welfare programs must, by federal law, establish caps limiting welfare eligibility to discourage perpetual (even permanent) reliance on public funds as a substitute for making the necessary effort and…

The third reason that I chose Marx is the apparently cyclical nature of change and restriction. The last century has seen some tremendous social changes. The 1960s Civil ights Movement and the Sexual evolution changed the face of modern America. However, there seems to have been a pendulum swing back to more restrictive behavior. It is now considered more appropriate to be openly sexist and racist than it was in the 1980s. In fact, propaganda has promoted the idea of the white, middle-class, Christian male as being the target of discrimination, even though this group still maintains almost all of the status-related privilege that it had prior to either of those movements, still getting more opportunities and greater benefits, as a group, than racial minorities, women, or religious minorities. One example of this is a chain e-mail I received that said something along the lines of "Dear God, why is…

Individuals who never come into contact with other societies may live their entire lives without the slightest idea that other societies exist, much less that other social norms and practices besides the ones to which they are accustomed as their reality are possible.
This element of human reality is also responsible for some of the worst recorded human behavior. On one hand, certain parts of human moral thinking is inherent as a natural part of us (Kluger 2007). On the other hand, so much of human morality is determined by subjective social constructs, that practically anything is acceptable to us, even to those of us who are inherently inclined to be good people.

History has shown many times that if the social construct within a given society presents cannibalism, or slavery, or the sacrifice of virgins to volcanoes, or even the systematic mechanized mass-murder of millions as acceptable, few individuals…

In those cases, "deviance" from socially accepted values would be considered a positive response rather than "delinquency" in an objective sense.
Alternate ideas, such as differential association formulated by Sutherland (Pfohl

1994), in particular, demonstrate that even in contemporary American society, social values are extremely subjective and that specific populations - most notably, incarcerated prisoners - form their own societal norms and shared values that contradict those of larger society and that those mores are as powerful and likely to shape future behavior among adolescents exposed to them for long periods (Scmalleger 1997).

Similarly, modern criminologists (Pinizzotto, et al. 2007) detail the extent to which violent criminal street gangs fulfill the same role as families of origin in many

American communities. Furthermore, many Baby Boomers of the so-called hippie generation also would seem to contradict Hirschi's theory in that, especially when viewed retrospectively, behavior that was considered "deviant" or "delinquent"…

It is this struggle to maximize benefits that leads to such movements of social change in both politics and social revolutions. Conflict theory exists in direct opposition to the tenets of functionalist theory, arguing that instead of a society where everyone plays are particular part, society instead exists as a pyramid structure, with a group of elites that dictate the rules to the masses. Thus, all major societal institutions, including laws and traditions, exist for the sole purpose of maintaining this structure. Thus, according to the conflict theory, colleges and universities exist in order to perpetuate this status quo. On the one hand, colleges ensure that the elite become educated and thus capable of carrying on their leadership roles. On the other hand, students at the college are indoctrinated with the traditions of society.
Finally, the theory of interactionsim is based on the idea that nothing in society is determined…

11).
Perhaps the most major and identifiable sociological theorist is Emile Durkheim. He literally helped formulate the ideas and theories of modern sociology, and many of the criminal justice theories are based on his ideas. Durkheim developed many of the modern theories of criminality, such as cultural disintegration, which can lead to an individual's gradual disassociation from society, with no bonds or commitments to a society that is dissolving around him or her. Durkheim felt this could help lead to deviant behavior and even suicide (Geiger & Fischer, 1995, p. 72). He also felt crime in society is normal, and it can even lead to desirable social reforms, ideas that were very revolutionary when he lived and worked in the late 19th century. Many later theorists used Durkheim's models, including social theorist Travis Hirschi, an expert in social control theory and delinquency.

Travis Hirschi is not the father of the…

QUESTION THREE: "Is inequality of social classes inevitable?" The conflict theory put forward by Ralf Dahrendorf begins with a discussion of Marxism and the fact that in industry, the conflict between classes - the capitalist and proletariat (worker) - the worker had a natural inclination to be in conflict with the capitalists who were the authority, the bosses. The same kind of conflict carried over into the political realm as well, sometimes violent. The problem was that there was no system whereby conflicts could be resolved. But Marx's analysis, Dahrendorf goes on, was tainted because of his obsession with proletarian revolution.

At this point in his essay, Dahrendorf, though rejecting Marx in that context, asserts that since there are "interest groups" and "quasi-groups" those must then be considered "classes." And if there are classes, it is then logical to assume there will be groups, and quasi-groups that will always have…

Take as an example McDonald's venture to extend its business operations in countries within the Asian region. Through globalization, the company has learned to adapt to the culture of the country it invests in. Examples of such adjustments are the introduction of rice in most of the meal offerings of McDonald's in the Philippines, inclusion of spicy foods in McDonald's menus in India, and the establishment of large McDonald's buildings in China in order to accommodate the large number of consumers that patronize the fast food chain. These are examples of companies' conscious effort to recognize globalization and its principles.

ibliography

Consensus." Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus.

Feminist Utopia." Available at http://www.amazoncastle.com/feminism/ecocult.shtml.

Introduction to globalization." Available at http://www.globalization.com/intro.cfm?page_id=1321.

Positivism." Available at http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/help/mach1.htm.

Postmodernism and its critics." Available at http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/Faculty/murphy/436/pomo.htm.

Socialization." Available at http://anthro.palomar.edu/social/soc_1.htm.

Sociology
Thorstein Veblen's The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions is a sociological discourse that centers on the phenomenon of new technology, popularly termed as the technological revolution of human civilization. Veblen discusses the relationship between new technologies (particularly technologies in communication) and how these (technologies) affect the degree of social interaction and shaping society and its culture. He introduces the technological theory of history, where he posits that "the "state of the industrial arts," that is, the technology available to a society, determines the character of its culture... A new technology erodes vested ideas, overcomes vested interests, and reshapes institutions in accord with its own needs" (Coser, 1977:273). Of particular interest to the study of technological and information technology revolutions are found in the fourth chapter of his discourse, entitled, "Conspicuous Consumption." orrowing from his ideas that technology will eventually determine the culture of a…

These problems can hinder the development of a high quality of life for all Americans by creating structural barriers to success. Some important steps would be to increase political participation at the roots level of all underrepresented members of society and to lend a voice to those who currently have little say in the governance of the nation.
Wk-4 DQ-1. The political-economic system is generally set up along the lines of specific economic ideology that helps to define the role of government in the development of American society. The nature of work is in part defined by economic principles as well, for example the prevailing view that low-priced labor is key to competitiveness. This ideology intends to promote maximum economic development but it differs from the reality of work, in which economic distribution fails most Americans while benefiting few.

Wk-4 DQ-2. Some of the major causes of illiteracy are inadequate…

Sociology -- Social Work
External validity is connected to generalizing. That's the key thing one needs to bear in mind when designing and conducting research. External validity refers to the expected truth of conclusion the connect generalizations. Put in more layman's terms, external validity is the amount to which the conclusions in ones study would grasp for other persons in further places and at additional times (Neuman, 2006).

External validity speaks to the capability to generalize ones study to further people and additional circumstances. In order to have sturdy external validity, one needs a likelihood sample of subjects or respondents put together utilizing random techniques from a plainly defined population. Preferably, one will have a good sample of groups. One will have a sample of dimensions and circumstances. When one has sturdy external validity, you can generalize to further people and circumstances with assurance. Public opinion surveys characteristically put substantial…

Interpretive sociology does not agree with the thought that behavior is related to society as effect is related to cause since this entire idea is dysfunctional with that which composes social life in reality. Interpretive sociology holds that understanding of our fellow man should be the pursuit of each day as sense is made of their individual societal existence. Seeking to understand is the concept held in interpretive sociology instead of the seeking of an explanation. Therefore it is understood that "structural" or that of Marxism and Functionalism (i.e. The interpretive/interactionist/social action sociologies) as well as Weber's interactionism, ethnomethodology and the Structural arguments in sociology that a "science of society" is likely. Therefore, there exists an agreement even among the interpretive sociologies. The natural science argument is based on "cause and effect" principles. That claim that the behavior of humans is the effect of some cause in society or class…

In this example, it becomes evident that Anderson's underlying theory in conducting his analysis is the labeling theory. A product of the symbolic interactionist paradigm, labeling theory posits that "a response to an act and not the behavior that determines deviance...(it) is the recognition that some people or groups have the power to define labels and apply them to others" (Schaefer, 1998:165). From this definition, Anderson's categorization of street people corresponds to the people's behavior and actions as they live a life of poverty. For the "criminal elements" of the society, deviance is a form of legitimacy for them to conduct more deviant acts, and thus, the continuous conduct of deviant actions reinforces the label "criminal element(s)." Similarly, there exist labels that determine people who lead double identities of being able to assimilate to both the normative and deviant groups. y resorting to "decent ways" of living, Anderson considers some…

Sociology and Socialization: Gender Differences Examined
Birthday Cards

Go to any card shop and take a look at the birthday cards. Birthday cards display numerous messages about society's attitudes toward gender, age, mental status and more. Most of the birthday cards available in a typical Hallmark store, the store examined, display what might be considered gender 'norms'. For example, girl's birthday cards are mostly offered in pink, showing pictures of flowers or bunnies or other soft items. Male birthday cards often depict pictures of sporting items, blue colors, or even women. The cards available suggest that differences exist between what men and women like, and emphasize that these 'norms' have become social institutions. The messages provided in cards suggest that women want to hear flowery messages of love and caring, whereas men would rather here a good joke or look at a picture of a member of the opposite sex.…

Accordingly, the significance of the application of the conflict perspective to American food is that its accuracy is so blatantly valid that it has progressed almost unnoticed through our nation's history. Out of the philosophical roots of Marx, conflict theory has evolved and broadened its scope; today, it is most commonly used to evaluate the legal system, but the core conflict remains that between the proletariats and the owners of the means of production. In this way, the conflicts surrounding the exponentially expanding fast food industry reach between the working class and the social elite. McDonalds's, in particular, represents one of the most glaring examples of how the social elite in society have managed to package, sell, and justify their prominent position in American society to the masses.
The central premise of social conflict theory is that individuals and groups within society generally use their power -- as much of…

While in Durkheim's concept of moral density, competition is a pre-existing condition, rationalization and social change in Weber's terms is determined by the enhancement or development of humans in their ability to adapt to their social environment. Competition, although a factor in the individual's social environment, did not become the focus of Weber's process of rationalization, as compared to Durkheim's conceptualization. Marx's dialectical materialism is likened to Durkheim's concept of competition in that through this concept, human society is illustrated to be part of an ongoing history of social change premeditated by class conflict, which emerged out of the unequal control of the mode of production or technology. The relationship between the forces (elite and working classes) and mode of production determine the existence of a class stratification and conflict in the society. This class conflict led to differentiated roles in the society, resulting to formal rationality, and ultimately, after…

Anthony Giddens defines prejudice as "the holding of preconceived ideas about an individual or group, ideas that are resistant to change even in the face of new information."
Examples of the worst form of prejudice include American slavery during the first two centuries of this country and the extermination of millions of Jewish people by the Nazis during World War II. In both of these cases, the blacks and Jews were seen as lower forms of humans or even non-human. Unfortunately, prejudice against the blacks and Jews continues to this day. They are often considered "scapegoats," or blamed for things they have not done.

In this same vein, stigmatize, according to Tony Bilton (1996) is "a process of experience in which some form of social behavior or attribute is subject to social disapproval and becomes discredited, resulting in a spoiled identity in the eyes of others and possible exclusion from…

The working class standards of morals work as a substitute to how success is defined in terms of economics (Sachin, 2012). These people value morals more than the money and believe that morals outweigh money in having a successful life. They love to maintain dignity in their lives. Despite having their morals above money, they draw the lines between economic classes. Hence they do not separate themselves from the poor but do so while they are comparing themselves with the richer economic class (Arakji, 2012). These workers have rigid boundaries while defining dignity and consider themselves more moral and value oriented and worth-full than their peers of the people better than them in economic position. The book is a great comparison of American working class to the French working class. Both have moral values and like to pursue values rather than money yet keeping their self-dignity and self-respect intact. The…