Emerging Issues in Society

There will always be emerging issues in our society, and these will be greatly examined by sociologists. The issues of diversity, social change, and globalization seem to be at the forefront today, and are a big influence on social movements all around the world. Lately, there have been uprisings all over the globe for those people who believe they have been oppressed by their unfair governments. Often, this happens in underdeveloped nations who have corrupt governments, economic injustices, little to no civil rights, and so forth; sometimes there is social change, but sadly, a lot of times chaos ensues. For example, the Middle East is still a very unstable region, even though it is clear the people there do want change.

In terms of globalization, we can see how small organizations have an effect on the entire world; we are still dealing with terrorist groups like al Qaeda, which has had a strong impact on the world-effecting travel, and so on. Terrorism and transnational social movements are very prominent nowadays, and are issues that definitely won’t lose steam any time soon. It is the hope that social change will improve these issues that keep many optimistic. 

In the U.S., we are dealing with specific social movements that are the result of the growing diversity of the country. Because of this growth in diversity, there have been many movements involving equal opportunity laws. As seen in the past, civil rights movements have helped shape our country, and will hopefully continue to do so. As stated before in a previous post, there will always be change, so we can expect that our society will continue to evolve just as surely as time changes. The issues of social change, diversity, and globalization will forever be around, and it is up to us as a society to create positive outcomes. 

"[Karl Mannheim’s] eloquent argument, that generations can be identified in terms of events experienced during the years of adolescence and early adulthood—ages 17 to 25…and the suggestion that such generational or cohort effects are comparable in importance to effects based on social class"

—Schuman and Rieger

Socialization over the course of our lives is so important in shaping who we become in the future. I know for myself that my own family, and my own experiences, have profoundly shaped who I am today. The debate over nature vs. nurture is an extremely difficult one; yes, we are born with innate characteristics that essentially form "us"-but, like a piece of clay, we are formed over time. Elements like family, peers, religion, and even the media pass on "social expectations" that mold us.

Because of the strong influence of such socialization agents like family, peers, and the media, I wanted to share some interesting information/evidence. First, you will find an article about the significant role siblings play on our social and emotional development as adults; I believe this to be very true, as I often learned how to act from my two older sisters. Next, I included an interesting video on the effects of cartoons on children (this one focuses specifically on Disney cartoons), which plays into the fact that the media has a very strong impact on our lives! Finally, I will post some websites that go into more depth on the subject of socialization. Enjoy!

Article: http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/01/15/siblings.play.formative.influential.role.agents.socialization

Video: 

(This video explains how stereotypical gender roles have been depicted in Disney movies, and how they have been reinforced in society-I know that when I was a child, I was strongly influenced by Disney movies)

Links:

Well Rounded Kids

This first link is a website dedicated to explaining how to socialize your child. There are tips and several articles geared towards helping parents raise a "well rounded" child. 

The Family vs. Socialization

This last link focuses on the discussion of homeschooling and sending your child to a public school. Basically, how socialization takes place in the traditional school setting and the homeschool setting. 

Socialization and the Life Course

Across 4. Process by which existing social roles are radically altered

7. Our concept of who we are, as formed into relationship to others

8. Cluster of needs, drives, attitudes that characterize a given person

9. Process by which part of culture becomes incorporated into the personality

Down 1. Part of self representing cultural standards of society

2. Part of self representing reason and common sense

3. Behavior others expect from a person (associated with status)

5. How one defines self

6. Part of personality that includes impulses and drives

8. Those of similar status

We Are Social Beings

What is sociology, you ask? Well, sociology is the study of human behavior in society.              

Without the study of sociology, we would never be able to understand just how our own environment(s) has an effect on our personalities, attitudes, perspectives, and social behaviors.

"The life-fate of the modern individual depends not only upon the family into which he was born or which he enters by marriage, but increasingly upon the corporation in which he spends the most alert hours of his best years."
- C. Wright Mills