Culture Shock

In sociology class this week we talked about different cultures and how somethings we do are different in other countries. We learned about culture shock, ethnocentrism, and culture relativity. Culture shock is when you are shocked by how different cultures do things. Ethnocentrism is when you base and judge things based off of your own culture because you think it's the best way to do something. Culture relativity is when you try to relate what you know about the culture and use that to figure out what it means. In class we talked about the different ways to cross the street especially in Europe or India. All the cars go at once and time it right. If you want to cross the street you have to walk with confidence and the cars will go past you. When I saw the video clip of this in class I was in shock because I thought these people were going to get run over by multiple cars. Also, a Danish woman left her baby outside a coffee shop in New York City and someone called the Police on her because they saw a baby by itself. We as Americans would be in shock as to why there is a baby by itself because we learn that babies should never be left alone in a city. The baby could have been kidnapped! She did that because in her culture they left their babies outside because in her country they smoked a lot and they would not want a baby inside there coffee shop or restaurant. They have lines of baby strollers outside so they can nap in the fresh air. Learning about different cultures is very interesting because some of the things they think is ok we do not. 

A Bronx Tale

In sociology class this week we watched a movie called A Bronx Tale, this movie was a great example on categories and stereotypes. People are placed into categories and groups just by where they live or their religion or education and more. And we also use stereotypes all the time because that is what we all know. For example some people think Jewish people are very cheap or that Italian people are good lovers. These are just some stereotypes that are most likely not true. In the movie Calogero or "C" was growing up in an Italian neighborhood during times where their was racism. C was starting to fall for an African American woman and when he finally got the courage to talk to her and find out what her name was he was happy. But before asking he thought she would have an exotic name just because she was African American but she did not and when she asked for his name and he said Calogero, he was the one with the exotic name. It was ironic how that was a stereotype that was opposite. While he was falling in love, it was frowned on by him by his Italian neighborhood. Throughout the movie in different neighborhoods the music would change. I found that very interesting because it would show how different each neighborhood was and their groups. 

Different Groups

In sociology class this week we did different grouping experiences. We learned that we are all a part of more groups that influence us more than we ever thought. In class we all made a web with all the groups we are apart of with our status in the groups. We then had to chose our top choices of the group with our status. I was caught in between two: family and work, with my status being a daughter and working two jobs. The reason why I could not choose between these two because I love my family and would do anything which I did. Since my dad had to close his company down, I got two jobs to help my family out. At age 15, I felt more responsible and mature because I was growing up by taking a stand and helping my family out more than most kids my age have. Also, in class we did an experiment and separated the class by people wearing blue jeans and people not wearing blue jeans. Both groups had the same task by listing why are you wearing blue jeans and why are you not. As the list grew, the more personal they got. For example, if you were not wearing blue jeans that group said it was because people not wearing blue jeans were lazy and ugly. This experiment was showing how there are different groups and some are "in" and the rest are not. Each group thought they were better than one another. We also watched a video in class of how a group of kids were being separated by eye color to show them about racism and how terrible African Americans were treated. This showed the kids just some of the horrible things they had to go through. I believe everyone should be treated the way you would like to be treated. 

                                                      Happy Valentines Day! <3

Freeks And Geeks

This week in sociology we watched a show called Freaks and Geeks. It was about High School in the 1980's and how there are different cliques. This show described High School and the hard times a lot of people went through to try to fit in. A lot of kids go through this time to figure out who they are and sometimes do not know what to do. In the show, Alan, was a bully to some freshman boys and it was wrong of him because it was all for no reason. Many teens struggle with bullying because it can emotionally and physically hurt them. Everyone thinks that the older kids have more power over the younger kids because that is how our society made it. Also, like in every show that it is socially okay for the "cool" group of kids to make fun or pick on the "nerdy" kids. We let it happen because it is what we believe is socially acceptable. The term social construction of reality which means a society of people created with experiences. For instance, in China they go to the bathroom in a hole in the ground while we use a toilet seat. My dad use to go to China all the time for work and tell me about how they think it is gross that in public places like restaurants and stores, random people use the same toilet. All while we could not image squatting for a little whole to use the bathroom. Thinking about it through their perspective I understand. But in our society it is socially acceptable to use a toilet and believe that older kids have more power over younger kids.