I noticed sociology when...
My mom got upset with my grades this weekend. She told me she wants me to focus on my grades more, but its hard being a student athlete. She didn't ground me, but she did make me feel bad about my grades by the things she said. She just wants me to get good grades and get into a good college which isn't too much to ask for. So, in response to her thoughts, I stayed home all weekend to do my homework and catch up in school. Although she didn't physically ground me, I got the point and did what she originally wanted me to do anyways.
What my mom did is a lot like the shaming theory for deviance that we learned about in class. I've been deviating away from school and getting worse grades than I ever have in the past because I've been so focused on softball, and its hurting me school wise. So my mom cleverly guilted me into staying home all weekend and getting caught up. We learned about all the different types of deviance in class, and my mom happened to use the shaming theory. in the shaming theory, the deviant feels bad so in the long run they won't deviate again. This is what happened to me basically. I felt bad that I upset my mom with my grades and I let her guilt me into staying home all weekend and catching up and I decided to try not to deviate again so I can avoid this situation. Although my deviance was a minor case, sociology still applies!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sociolization! 4/27 - 4/28
I noticed sociology when...
I was taking my ACT and PSAE tests in the fieldhouse. Everything we did for those two days were strict and conformed. We were not allowed cheat, make gestures, use our calculators for any test other than math, speak at all, have an electronic devices, or even bring water. However, we all followed these rules to avoid harsh punishment, retaking the test completely, and making the entire room suffer. The rules are crazy strict, but for good reasons. I'm glad everyone followed them so we didn't have any issues, and we didn't all have to retake our exams. Also, being in the fieldhouse felt somewhat like a total institution for various reasons. It was weird to have our lives completely prearranged for two days where we couldn't control anything, and I'm glad its over with.
Taking these tests the two days before prom was a great way to view sociology. I said it felt like a total institution because we weren't allowed to contact any of our friends, family, etc. during the testing. We were basically desocialized and resocialized for the testing days so there wouldn't be any abnormalities. All of the teenagers in the room were forced to stay quiet, turn off their cell phones, not bring food or water, and not cheat on the tests. All of us followed these rules, which is a perfect example of how a total institution works. In jail, for instance, the prisoners are forced to desocialize from their previous lives and resocialize to the life in prison. Much like in Shawshank Redemption, the teachers who oversaw our testing controlled our lives for the time being. Sociology works in our every day lives, and these hard testing days showed that!
I was taking my ACT and PSAE tests in the fieldhouse. Everything we did for those two days were strict and conformed. We were not allowed cheat, make gestures, use our calculators for any test other than math, speak at all, have an electronic devices, or even bring water. However, we all followed these rules to avoid harsh punishment, retaking the test completely, and making the entire room suffer. The rules are crazy strict, but for good reasons. I'm glad everyone followed them so we didn't have any issues, and we didn't all have to retake our exams. Also, being in the fieldhouse felt somewhat like a total institution for various reasons. It was weird to have our lives completely prearranged for two days where we couldn't control anything, and I'm glad its over with.
Taking these tests the two days before prom was a great way to view sociology. I said it felt like a total institution because we weren't allowed to contact any of our friends, family, etc. during the testing. We were basically desocialized and resocialized for the testing days so there wouldn't be any abnormalities. All of the teenagers in the room were forced to stay quiet, turn off their cell phones, not bring food or water, and not cheat on the tests. All of us followed these rules, which is a perfect example of how a total institution works. In jail, for instance, the prisoners are forced to desocialize from their previous lives and resocialize to the life in prison. Much like in Shawshank Redemption, the teachers who oversaw our testing controlled our lives for the time being. Sociology works in our every day lives, and these hard testing days showed that!
More gender roles!
I saw sociology when...
I was shopping with my mom for my little brother's birthday! We first went to Target looking for gift ideas. While we were there, we looked at toys and clothes. I couldn't help but notice that everything we talked about in class along with that project we did were so true. All of the toys in the boys section either involved guns, sports equipment, or monsters and dinosaurs of some sort. This compares to the girls section that has frilly little dolls like Barbies, baby dolls, and toy kitchens. Also, the colors for the girly toys were generally pinks, purples, and yellows compared to the blues, reds, and greens that the boys got. When we looked at clothes for my brother, Kyle, I noticed similar characteristics. For instance, my mom picked out a few shirts, and all of them were either blue or red. She got him a few pairs of athletic shorts (typical!), and then a new pair of gym shoes. His gym shoes have navy blue on them as well! But then when I went over and looked at the girl clothing, everything had either flowers or hearts on it, and were pink, purple, yellow, and other light pastel colors.
Putting color and design labels on little kids is where the gender roles first set in. When little girls or little boys only get these colors and these toys to choose from, its no wonder that they conform to these predetermined ways from a young age. Looking back at old pictures, my mom only ever dressed me in adorable, GIRLY outfits that a little boy wouldn't be caught dead in. Nobody really takes the time to think about it, but simply by the way kids are raised impacts who they become, following gender norms as well.
I was shopping with my mom for my little brother's birthday! We first went to Target looking for gift ideas. While we were there, we looked at toys and clothes. I couldn't help but notice that everything we talked about in class along with that project we did were so true. All of the toys in the boys section either involved guns, sports equipment, or monsters and dinosaurs of some sort. This compares to the girls section that has frilly little dolls like Barbies, baby dolls, and toy kitchens. Also, the colors for the girly toys were generally pinks, purples, and yellows compared to the blues, reds, and greens that the boys got. When we looked at clothes for my brother, Kyle, I noticed similar characteristics. For instance, my mom picked out a few shirts, and all of them were either blue or red. She got him a few pairs of athletic shorts (typical!), and then a new pair of gym shoes. His gym shoes have navy blue on them as well! But then when I went over and looked at the girl clothing, everything had either flowers or hearts on it, and were pink, purple, yellow, and other light pastel colors.
Putting color and design labels on little kids is where the gender roles first set in. When little girls or little boys only get these colors and these toys to choose from, its no wonder that they conform to these predetermined ways from a young age. Looking back at old pictures, my mom only ever dressed me in adorable, GIRLY outfits that a little boy wouldn't be caught dead in. Nobody really takes the time to think about it, but simply by the way kids are raised impacts who they become, following gender norms as well.
Gender Roles!
I saw sociology when...
I was at work. One day when I was working, I was taking an order for a middle aged man who was probably about forty or so. He looked tired and was acting really impatient when he was in line, so I tried to be quick and efficient with his order so I wouldn't further upset him. However, when he went to pay for his order, there was an error with his credit card and he got really aggravated at me even though it was not my fault! He started saying really rude things about how I couldn't get it to work because I was a girl, they should have someone more experienced working there instead of me, I shouldn't have a job simply because I'm a girl. I tried to explain that I couldn't control that his card wasn't working but he carried on with being rude to me! Thankfully, my boss stepped in and said if he says one more thing out of line that he'd kick him out. After that, the man only grumbled under his breath and kept his thoughts to himself. I didn't take anything he had said to me too hard because I could tell he was in a bad mood. So after we figured out his card situation, I shook it off and carried on with my work.
We have learned all about gender roles in society, and the things this man had said to me were sexist against females. He only said these things because he was mad, but the things he said were aimed towards all women. In today's society, everyone is expected to play their roles. Whether this means act like a boy or act like a girl or something completely different, it is still influential on the way we all act as individuals. The man tried to basically tell me that since I'm a girl, I can't possibly be a good worker, and that I shouldn't have a job. This could be leading to a thought that I shouldn't have a job because women aren't supposed to be working, which in today's society obviously isn't true. Gender roles still affect the way people think, and its definitely not always positive!
I was at work. One day when I was working, I was taking an order for a middle aged man who was probably about forty or so. He looked tired and was acting really impatient when he was in line, so I tried to be quick and efficient with his order so I wouldn't further upset him. However, when he went to pay for his order, there was an error with his credit card and he got really aggravated at me even though it was not my fault! He started saying really rude things about how I couldn't get it to work because I was a girl, they should have someone more experienced working there instead of me, I shouldn't have a job simply because I'm a girl. I tried to explain that I couldn't control that his card wasn't working but he carried on with being rude to me! Thankfully, my boss stepped in and said if he says one more thing out of line that he'd kick him out. After that, the man only grumbled under his breath and kept his thoughts to himself. I didn't take anything he had said to me too hard because I could tell he was in a bad mood. So after we figured out his card situation, I shook it off and carried on with my work.
We have learned all about gender roles in society, and the things this man had said to me were sexist against females. He only said these things because he was mad, but the things he said were aimed towards all women. In today's society, everyone is expected to play their roles. Whether this means act like a boy or act like a girl or something completely different, it is still influential on the way we all act as individuals. The man tried to basically tell me that since I'm a girl, I can't possibly be a good worker, and that I shouldn't have a job. This could be leading to a thought that I shouldn't have a job because women aren't supposed to be working, which in today's society obviously isn't true. Gender roles still affect the way people think, and its definitely not always positive!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Socializing kids 4.10.11!
I personally think that the "Chinese mother" approach is a smart idea. If you look at the facts, Asian kids tend to do a lot better in school, music, etc. The reason why they do better than western kids? Simple. They aren't allowed to do anything less than the best. If they don't succeed, they aren't allowed to give up. They must keep at whatever activity they are doing, such as playing the piano, until they have mastered it. If they try to give up, they are frowned upon in order to make them feel ashamed which ends up helping them try harder and in the long run, succeed. Western parents, however, strongly express the fact that they want their kids to do their best but they allow their children to give up if they feel like they cannot succeed. This is wrong because if western parents kept at their kids and made them succeed, the kids may realize how self gratifying success can be and will keep trying at things they don't do perfectly on their first try. The only thing that I personally disagree on about the Chinese mother approach is the fact that kids are not allowed to socialize. Chinese mothers do not allow their kids to have sleep overs or play dates, which I think is not beneficial because the kids are not being allowed to interact in society. Other than this factor, I personally feel like the Chinese mother tactic is clever and intelligent
I think that Charles Cooley's idea of the looking glass self corresponds with the Chinese mother ways because he believes the self image we develop is from the way others treat us. If Chinese mothers go hard on their kids in order to make them succeed, and then praise them for succeeding, it is giving the kids a positive self image because they know their parents are proud of them and they will keep trying in order to keep succeeding. George Herbert Mead's thoughts can be connected to Ms. Chua's thought process because his idea emphasized the importance of getting under the skin of others by taking their roles. Parents play the role of significant others because they have close bonds with their kids and can easily influence and get under the skin of their children. This is very important in the development of kids. Sigmund Freud's approach with saying that personality is influenced by interactions with parents is shown in the Chinese mother because the article states the differences in the personality types of western kids and Chinese kids based on the parenting. Lastly, Jean Piaget's nature vs. nuture is shown in the Chinese mother because it shows how for the most part, being raised by different parents (nuture) strongly influences the way children grow up, develop, and prosper. In the end, the Chinese mother tactic is clever and works extremely well. I believe that western parents should try it and stop worrying about their kids having self-esteem issues as they get older because this does not happen. Ms. Chua had a smart idea, and I think being a Chinese mother is smart.
I think that Charles Cooley's idea of the looking glass self corresponds with the Chinese mother ways because he believes the self image we develop is from the way others treat us. If Chinese mothers go hard on their kids in order to make them succeed, and then praise them for succeeding, it is giving the kids a positive self image because they know their parents are proud of them and they will keep trying in order to keep succeeding. George Herbert Mead's thoughts can be connected to Ms. Chua's thought process because his idea emphasized the importance of getting under the skin of others by taking their roles. Parents play the role of significant others because they have close bonds with their kids and can easily influence and get under the skin of their children. This is very important in the development of kids. Sigmund Freud's approach with saying that personality is influenced by interactions with parents is shown in the Chinese mother because the article states the differences in the personality types of western kids and Chinese kids based on the parenting. Lastly, Jean Piaget's nature vs. nuture is shown in the Chinese mother because it shows how for the most part, being raised by different parents (nuture) strongly influences the way children grow up, develop, and prosper. In the end, the Chinese mother tactic is clever and works extremely well. I believe that western parents should try it and stop worrying about their kids having self-esteem issues as they get older because this does not happen. Ms. Chua had a smart idea, and I think being a Chinese mother is smart.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Cultures! 3.24.11
All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when I was visiting my cousin in the hospital this week. She just had her second son this past Monday, and his name is Elijah Ganesan. Several years ago, I would have never thought my cousin Mel would have any children with the man that she did. Her husband's name is Raj, and he is Indian. When they first met and began seeing each other, Raj's family had a fit. They didn't like her at all because she came from another culture, much like the situation in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. However, after realizing that their son was in love with my cousin, they decided to be more accepting of her and her American culture. They now have two adorable sons and have been happily married ever since!
This relates to what we've been learning in class because it is all about culture. Raj's family was being a bit ethnocentric because they were initially judging Mel solely based on the differences between their cultures. Because of this, both families experienced culture clash to begin with. It was hard for Raj's parents to accept the fact that she wasn't from their culture and didn't have the same ethnicity. I remember my cousin disliking his family completely while they were dating, actually. However, as they continued seeing each other, the clash died down and the families accepted their differences and moved on. Eventually, Raj's parents got over their ethnocentric ways and allowed them to get married. At the rehearsal dinner and reception for their wedding, I personally experienced culture shock as I tried new food dishes that I never thought I would try! Some of the food was far better than I expected. I also was shocked to see the difference in dresses as well as dance styles. It was really interesting to me as well at strange because I had never seen anything like it before. Learning about new cultures and the differences they have is really interesting to me!
This relates to what we've been learning in class because it is all about culture. Raj's family was being a bit ethnocentric because they were initially judging Mel solely based on the differences between their cultures. Because of this, both families experienced culture clash to begin with. It was hard for Raj's parents to accept the fact that she wasn't from their culture and didn't have the same ethnicity. I remember my cousin disliking his family completely while they were dating, actually. However, as they continued seeing each other, the clash died down and the families accepted their differences and moved on. Eventually, Raj's parents got over their ethnocentric ways and allowed them to get married. At the rehearsal dinner and reception for their wedding, I personally experienced culture shock as I tried new food dishes that I never thought I would try! Some of the food was far better than I expected. I also was shocked to see the difference in dresses as well as dance styles. It was really interesting to me as well at strange because I had never seen anything like it before. Learning about new cultures and the differences they have is really interesting to me!
Social Norms 3.17.11
All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when I was doing my folkway project! for my project, I went into random places, mainly restaurants, and talked into my hands instead of to a person's face. When i was at places like McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts, I would order my food while mumbling into my hands and I got the funniest reactions from people! It was really funny to see some people's reactions to me breaking a folkway like this, but it was also embarrassing. Some people either got aggravated by my awkward ways, extremely confused, or laughed at me like I was a circus clown.
When I did this project, I thought about everything we had been learning in class like norms, folkways, mores, taboos, and laws. During my project, I broke a folkways, which is basically a socially accepted norm that keep people from feeling uncomfortable. Usually when people go to places like McDonald's and order, they speak loud, clear, and directly to the worker. When I ordered my food however, I softly mumbled into my hands in an incomprehensible tone. Since this was unexpected and unusual, I got several weird looks, annoyed comments, and had several awkward moments. It was funny for me because I was acting in this manner on purpose, but to someone outside of the project, I was simply weird. Doing this experiment showed me that acting against social norms in today's society will often confuse and irritate people and that norms are set into societies in order to keep people more balanced and comfortable. In the end, I really enjoyed this experiment and I laughed about it a lot in the end!
When I did this project, I thought about everything we had been learning in class like norms, folkways, mores, taboos, and laws. During my project, I broke a folkways, which is basically a socially accepted norm that keep people from feeling uncomfortable. Usually when people go to places like McDonald's and order, they speak loud, clear, and directly to the worker. When I ordered my food however, I softly mumbled into my hands in an incomprehensible tone. Since this was unexpected and unusual, I got several weird looks, annoyed comments, and had several awkward moments. It was funny for me because I was acting in this manner on purpose, but to someone outside of the project, I was simply weird. Doing this experiment showed me that acting against social norms in today's society will often confuse and irritate people and that norms are set into societies in order to keep people more balanced and comfortable. In the end, I really enjoyed this experiment and I laughed about it a lot in the end!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
American Society Today!
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| This is a symbol for obesity in America. Obesity is a serious issue in our country nowadays due to the growing population of overweight citizens. On average, about one in every three Americans is overweight/obese. With this statement, American has been referred to as the "Fat Country" world-round. An obese person in America is symbolic of our country's quickly growing obesity epidemic as well as a representation of our laziness and over-sized meals. |
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The show Secret Life of the American Teenager is a symbol of America. This show deals a great amount with teen pregnancy which is becoming more and more common for the average American high school female. Secret Life also deals with teen drama in high school and about the pressures couples face. It also shows conformity in teen society today by the way the students conform to things like having sex simply because they know other people are. With our teen pregnancy rates at an all time high, and still climbing, this show well represents America today.  Modeling. Perfection. Skinny. These are all things that Americans try to achieve in today's society. Some girls strive to be stick thin and do anything they can to look like the idol model. Some girls even go to extremes like Bulimia and Anorexia in order to be that thin. Also, a lot of Americans are looking into plastic surgery in order to look more "perfect" than they previously did. However, in the end they look more unrealistic than anything and in my opinion, they look further from perfect than when they started. The one concept a lot of Americans seem to forget is that beauty comes from the inside and its better to be perfectly imperfect compared to trying to look perfect. Models today illustrate the American society by being the "It Girl" and creating a sense that perfection can be reached by the younger generation of women these days;.  Americans today look up to the famous group. Anyone and everyone from actors and movie directors to singers, rappers, and models, are making citizens across the country get starstruck. People like Nicki Minaj and Drake are idolized in our society for their musical talent. Kids want to grow up to be like them, listen to their music every day, and love their looks. These rappers represent American ways because everyone strives to be the biggest and best they can be, and as a child, most kids tell themselves the same line: "One day, I'm going to be famous." Although in almost all cases things don't turn out to be like that, its an American way of thinking that has yet to change over time.  In America, almost everybody from children to parents to possibly even seniors, could tell you what this is and exactly where it comes from. I asked my little brother what this picture was, and I got a quick answer as he exclaimed, "Happy Meal!" loud and clear. Kids all over America know the Happy Meal from either ordering it themselves or seeing it on TV. The Happy Meal is a sign representing our vastly known love for fast, easy, greasy food. To other countries, it represents why Americans are obese, overweight, and unhealthy. The Happy Meal may mean a delicious meal to our children, but to everyone else, it means a growing problem. |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
groups!
Last weekend, I found myself thinking sociologically when i was at my softball tournament. My sociological thinking had to do with groups. Groups, or three or more people connected by need, interest, or relationship, were visible everywhere you could look. During my tournament, I noticed several different types of groups. Whether it was standing in line to buy a t-shirt or working together as a team to win a game, there were many different groupings going on.
My softball tournament this past weekend is connected to sociology because we are discussing groups in society. My team portrays a primary group because we are close, have a lot of face-to-face contact, socialize frequently, and support each other as well. In addition, my team is also a secondary group because we work and interact together as a team, and we were all working together in order to win. Also, each team in the tournament was a reference group because each team compared itself to the other teams in the competition. There were a few kinship groups present as well because some girls' relatives came to watch them play as well as social aggregate groups like the people standing in line for the concession stands and buying t-shirts. Lastly, each team would be an interest group because everyone in the tournament was aiming for a common goal; winning. These were some of the groups that I noticed this weekend, and there are visible ones in everyday society.
My softball tournament this past weekend is connected to sociology because we are discussing groups in society. My team portrays a primary group because we are close, have a lot of face-to-face contact, socialize frequently, and support each other as well. In addition, my team is also a secondary group because we work and interact together as a team, and we were all working together in order to win. Also, each team in the tournament was a reference group because each team compared itself to the other teams in the competition. There were a few kinship groups present as well because some girls' relatives came to watch them play as well as social aggregate groups like the people standing in line for the concession stands and buying t-shirts. Lastly, each team would be an interest group because everyone in the tournament was aiming for a common goal; winning. These were some of the groups that I noticed this weekend, and there are visible ones in everyday society.
Monday, February 7, 2011
One time when I was with my brother and my aunt in Chicago, her wallet was stolen from her purse by a thin, shady looking man. A few people standing around witnessed him steal her wallet.Immediately following the theft, nobody did anything. It wasn't until the man had already started to leave the scene that someone finally stepped in. A man bigger than the thief confronted him and demanded he give the wallet back to my aunt. After the thief returned it and made a quick exit, a few people came up to my aunt and told her they were about to step in but the man beat them to the punch.
This is an example of "will the kindness of strangers stop theft." The kindness of the one man saved my aunt from getting her wallet stolen from her. He may have stepped in because he was not threatened by a man smaller than him or simply because it was the right thing to do. If the thief had been bigger than the man, maybe he would have gotten away with the theft. The other people who came up to my aunt and said they were about to step in may have been telling the truth or just trying to look like good Samaritans. This shows that people may say they'd help but act in the opposite manner.
This is an example of "will the kindness of strangers stop theft." The kindness of the one man saved my aunt from getting her wallet stolen from her. He may have stepped in because he was not threatened by a man smaller than him or simply because it was the right thing to do. If the thief had been bigger than the man, maybe he would have gotten away with the theft. The other people who came up to my aunt and said they were about to step in may have been telling the truth or just trying to look like good Samaritans. This shows that people may say they'd help but act in the opposite manner.
Monday, January 24, 2011
First Post 1/20/11
Hi, I'm Casey! My favorite color is purple, I play softball year round, and I like to be friendly. After high school I want to a good college either in Illinois or somewhere that's warm year round. i have almost no idea what I'd like to be when i grow up, but I'll figure it out.
The biggest influence in my life would be my mom because she was always there for me when I needed her, she always taught me right from wrong, and she helped me become the person I am today. Some goals I have for my life would be to play softball in college, graduate from high school and college with high grades, have a really good job, get married and have a family. (:
The biggest influence in my life would be my mom because she was always there for me when I needed her, she always taught me right from wrong, and she helped me become the person I am today. Some goals I have for my life would be to play softball in college, graduate from high school and college with high grades, have a really good job, get married and have a family. (:
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