The end is near...

This last week in sociology class has been great. We had a race panel at the beginning of the week and that was so interesting to see different teenagers point of view on race that is still happening today. Looking back at my first post, I do still agree that I am a strong, independent, working woman and I am always doing what is best for others. I still believe in helping everyone and making sure they are happy before myself. As known that I have held two jobs since sophomore year, I have now learned that social class was a big part of my life. I always wanted to "fit in" with all my friends since they were wealthy and had designer clothes and got a car but after being hit by the real world of working and realizing you do not need all that stuff made me not want to be the same.The media has really tried to shape who we all should become and look like by having only one way. For females you have to be super skinny and sexy while males have to be very masculine. It is terrible to see how corrupt our social media is and how it is trying to change society not even for the better. Sociology makes me think and feel about the world and myself differently. Taking this class makes me look at the bigger picture in life and has helped me grow more as a person. I would love to continue taking more classes about sociology in college because it really was an interesting class!

Crash

In sociology class last week, we watched a movie called Crash. Throughout the entire movie it displayed great examples of racial discrimination. The movie showed different racial groups that are targeted more in America because of all the stereotypes everyone puts on them. A lot of people do not realize that people of different races are the same as them, just everyday normal people. Just because of all the movies and books that say all these wrong things about races, people believe them. In the movie, Sandra Bullocks character wants her locks changed again but by a white man instead of a Hispanic man. She thinks that just because he has tattoos that he is a part of a gang and is going to come back to her house and steal from her. We find out after that he is a great, loving and caring father that would never do anything like that. We learn that you should not judge a book by its cover because it truly is the inside that counts. Also, in the movie a white male cop was trying very hard not to show that he was discriminating African Americans when he pulled an African American couple over. He was harassing them and was being extremely racist towards them and it was terrible to watch because they are the same as white people, Hispanics  and others, we are all the same and should be treated the same. This just goes to show that no matter how hard some people try, they still tend to be discriminating racially.

Race

In sociology class this week we talked about race and how it affects people and their opinions. In the world many people have different skin tones and are very racially distinct. The idea of race is interesting because some people consider themselves separated from others or in one group. In class we talked about how in Japan they consider to have only two races in their country. Which is either being Japanese or not and everything else. I thought it was interesting because in America we differ each other in races by white, black, Asian, Latino and many more. In schools they are very diverse now then it was back in th day. Many people do not care about race and will fall in love with each other and create new mixed races which is very cool. Race is a social concept. 

30 Days

Today in sociology class we watched a segment on how a man and his wife are going to live on minimum wage for 30 days straight. No one can really relate to the lower class until they have gone through those tough times. People think that they can get through it or they have it bad but not until you realize when your in so much debit that you can barely provide food on the table for your family that it is hard. Watching this movie was really interesting to me because it showed everyone how hard life can be living off of $7.00 or less per hour and no medical insurance. In the movie the mans wife was getting mad when he bought a .70 cent donut when they brought kids to live with them to see how much harder it is with them. It was interesting to see a fight over such a small amount of money but I see where she was coming from since she walked to work to save $2.00. We also talked about the different social classes like upper class who are very wealthy and success or are born into it, middle class, working class and then lower class. Knowing all this, it made me lucky to see how hard my parents are working to help me succeed and I would love to do the same once I get out of college because I see how hard it can be. 

Social Class

This week in sociology class we talked about the different social classes there are. There is upper class, middle class and lower class and others in between. We talked about how a family's income can affect their childs' ACT score and I just found that so interesting. It really depends on the resources the kids have and if they have the money to afford a tutor or if they live in a good neighborhood and go to a decent school. At my high school we have a ton of resources that the school offers but most of it does cost money. Many people believe that my high school has kids that go there that are very wealthy. Yes, some are but there are a lot who are struggling to get by. Some might say to stay after school or go in during lunch to get help for school work or ACT prep but what if the kids have to work to help their parents out. It is very hard for some kids to go through not being able to do what most kids can because they can afford to go. I could not go on my senior spring break trip because my family could not afford it, yes I was upset but I understood from my parents point of view to save all my money from working to go towards college. In my family, now both my parents work, I have two jobs and my sister works as well to help my parents out. It is very hard but we all get through it. I love to help out my family as much as I can. 

Bocce Ball

Last weekend I had the opportunity of volunteering at the Special Olympics event. I helped in the Bocce Ball tournament. It was one of the best experiences I have ever done. Seeing the adults and kids faces smiling and being so happy to be able to participate made my day. It was an early morning and long day, but it was defiantly worth it. Our jobs were to be referees for the different games. We were each assigned a court with four people in total. I was in charge of the stop watch, so when the clock hit 30 minutes, the game would have to stop. Also, I helped out with the score and helping whoever played know whose turn it is. At first, my group was a little shakey with the rules but after the first game we understood it completely. Getting to know each of the kids and adults I worked with was great they were amazing. My favorite part was just getting to meet all the disabled kids and adults and having conversations with them because I know it made their day as well as mine. Also, cheering them on when they knew they were not playing too good and after they heard me say "You're doing great! keep it up!" they would have a huge smile on their face which I just couldn't help but smile each time. I thought this was a great experience and would love to participate in something like this again! It warmed my heart knowing I made a difference in someones day.

Deviance

Last week in sociology class we learned about deviance. Deviance is doing something that other people wouldn't look at as a "norm." Deviance can be both positive or negative. A couple days ago I was walking out of Jewel and I saw this old woman struggling trying to leave with so many bags. I quickly sped up and held the door for her and asked if she needed anymore help. Seeing this older woman have a huge smile across her face just warmed my heart. Also, in class last week we had guest speakers from the LGBTQ club come in and talk about how hard their life has been going through this. It made me think what if I was in their shoes going through those tough times they had. I don't think I could be as brave and amazing as all of them are. The best part about all our guest speakers stories was that they said our high school was extremely accepting and a great place to be.

Masculinity

This week in sociology class we watched and talked about the different ways males are viewed now a days. Males from day one have been told that they need to strong and violent. Little. It's are targeted with toys that are violent with guns and shooting. If we changed the way the toys are at a younger age, maybe boys wouldn't have this hole "tough guy" act all the time. Everyone is influenced by their parents and since basically every generation has been brought up knowing all males are suppose to be extremely masculine or they are not considered to be manly. I personally believe if anyone wants a change in this then it'll have to start with one generation. I don't think it is right that every male has to be considered masculine to be a male. I think anyone can do whatever they want and be who they want, it shouldn't be one type. Watching in the video we saw in class brings boys to always be around violence and stereotypes with race which is something we should change. Everyone should be able to express themselves the way they want to be.

Television

This week in sociology class we had an assignment about watching TV.  At first we were watching tv with no sound and all I could do was imagine what they were saying. What came to my mind while watching the pictures was interesting and I wonder if I was close to what actually happened. Then we had to watch someone else watching tv and I watched my mom. She would laugh at funny moments in the show or just be so into what is happening so she would be just starring. Seeing her different emotions and facial expressions throughout watching the tv was entertaining to me more than the show! The last step was watching the tv but not turning it on. While starring at the tv my mind would just want to picture what I wanted to see on the blank screen. After a long time, I thought it was pointless to keep starring at an empty box that just shows pictures. It is weird to think that the tv keeps so many people entertained when they're alone and with people when it is just a box. I don't realize how much tv is in my everyday life because I love to watch different shows. It keeps me entertained because I am normally alone until 7 everyday because both my parents work and my dad does not come home til weekends. So I understand it is like a "friend" when you're alone but it is weird to think how much tv is watched because it is just a box. 

Socialization

This week is sociology we talked about socialization the process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it. For the individual it provides the resources necessary for acting and participating within their society. We also talked about nature vs. nurture. Nature was your instinct, trained, emotion and more. The philosophy that humans acquire all or most of their behavioral traits is from nurture.Everyone should be able to grow up in a society that is well nurtured and helps you grow as a person. We watched a video in class today that was a special on Oprah that was about a young girl who was locked in her room with no human contact or of the outside world. When the Police found her, she was 7 years old and was acting like a young infant because she did not learn from people around her like most children do. When you become an adult you have awareness and consciousness of everything around you while if you were not nurtured as a kid, you most likely will not grow up into a "normal" adult. With no outside world contact or with people, your education is extremely low and most of the time you will become mentally ill. No one deserves to not be nurtured as a child, it is wrong of some of these parents to leave their kids in such a bad environment.