Discussion of Sensitive or Potentially Controversial Issues - Personal Statement Example

Midterm Are you avoiding discussion of sensitive or potentially controversial issues and if so, why? Peer pressure? Fear of mistakes? Anger? Approval-seeking? What can educators, colleagues and administrators, and/or coworkers and supervisors do to make you feel more comfortable engaging in discussions about race, gender, or social class?(Minimum length of your essay answer: 15 to 20 sentences). I believe that everyone has issues that they avoid discussion on. For some people, religion is that topic, for others, race, and for others, there are any number of issues that may be uncomfortable to discuss. There is an unwritten rule that there are three subjects you never discuss if you want peace: abortion, religion, and the death penalty. I believe that there are many reasons that people may feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics, and that for each person those reasons are different. I find myself having trouble discussing issues related to sexual orientation, and also abortion. I have trouble with these issues because I am not sure what the right decision is, and I do not feel comfortable claiming to have an answer. I am afraid of making people angry, and also that I do not have enough information to make a judgment on the subject. There are many ways that supervisors and educators can help ease the trouble of talking about difficult subjects. One of the most important ways to help is to first create a vocabulary that is not offensive to either side of the discussion. That way, people know what terms are being deemed “politically correct” by both sides, and do not have to worry about being caught up in semantics. It is also important to make sure that everyone has a chance to be involved in the conversation. If some students are shy, allow questions or comments to be emailed or put in a box, so they can discuss the ideas without feeling embarrassed to ask questions. Supervisors and educators should also recognize that they may have a bias, and work to remain open and understanding to both sides. While educators and supervisors need to set up the conversation, they must also be willing to be a part of the conversation. Supervisors can be a strong influence on students and workers by showing how talk about sensitive subjects without flaming or overly argumentative. The most important thing for a leader to understand is that while discussion is vital to coming to an understanding, argument only separates people further. Week 7 Discussion: Answers 1-What factors have promoted greater gender stratification in North America? Which historical factors have promoted greater equality between the sexes? (Kottak, chp.9) There are many reasons for gender stratification in North America. In early America, studies showed again and again that men were smarter, stronger, and overall better than women. These studies were used to explain why women should not work, and needed to stay in the home. Women were considered objects, and were owned by men, having no more rights then children, and sometimes less than male children. One of the primary beliefs was that women should not be overly educated, because it will limit their ability to procreate, which is what women are for. While many of these myths have been overturned, they continue to carry strength, because of the long length of time they were believed. Equality comes from the feminist movement. While the first move was for suffrage, women had to work hard for more chances. It was during World War II that women were really able to step out of the home, to fill places in factories that were left empty by the men. Women (and men) learned that women could work successfully, and raise a family at the same time. When the men returned, women were kicked back into the home, but they no longer felt at home. Now that women knew what they were capable of, they were more able to fight for equality. 2-Discuss the historical causes and contemporary manifestations of the political organization of sexual orientation? What rights are being sought by the gay/lesbian movement, and what are some of the goals of the movement? (Kottak, chp.10) There are many reasons that the gay and lesbian population has fought for rights in the United States. Historically in the United States, gays and lesbians have been mistreated, and forced to live ‘closeted’ to protect themselves and their families. Laws prohibit marriage, and deny them the right to family healthcare, job security, and even refuse to protect them from abuse and attack. Previous laws allowed them to be arrested for sexual acts, since sodomy was until very recently illegal in many states. The current lesbian and gay movement is looking for a very different United States. The Human rights campaign (HRC) demands marriage for lesbian and gay couples, adoption rights (including second parent adoption), and protection from attack based on sexual orientation. The primary goals of the movement are to allow gay and lesbians equal rights under the law that all other citizens receive, and not be discriminated against based on orientation. 3-Explain the findings of Carol Stacks study on urban poor families. How do these and other findings contradict the myth of many Americans concerning the "problem of the black family?" (Kottak, chp.16) While urban poor families are cast in the United States as lazy, crime-ridden, and unwilling to rise above their roots, Carol Stack proves otherwise. In her study on urban poor families, Ms. Stack shows that these families have close bonds, work hard to maintain the family structure, and try constantly to overcome their roots. These findings directly contradict the lazy, unwilling concept of the black family that is prominent. The problem of the black family is a myth that correlates directly to the urban family myth that has been rampant in America. These findings contradict the myth because they show that an urban poor family is not always a minority, there are a significant number of poor Caucasian families. Another problem with the problem is that while black families are suggested to be lazy and unwilling to change their situation, Ms. Stack’s study suggests the opposite, that these families work hard to both maintain their family structure, and also to move up in the world. Week 8 Discussion: Answers 1-What is meant by "secularism"? In what ways religion is involved in politics in America? (Kottak,chp.8) Secularism is the separation between church (or religion) and state. Religion, however, is deeply tied to politics in the United States. Religion is tied to the whole concept of morals, which is used regularly in debate. Religion is most clear currently in the argument over gay marriage. Religious groups argue that marriage is between a man and a woman, while liberal groups argue that that is a moral argument, and is not valid politically. Indeed, Religion is allowed to influence the law in many places, especially where there are ambiguities over what is “moral.” Religion affects politics also because it plays such a strong role in the lives of most Americans. So many people are religious, and these views affect how they vote, what they believe about politics, and what laws they help support and what they protest. These views create laws, and sometimes get in the way of justice, by blinding people between what they think is religiously right, and what equal justice is under the law for everyone. Week 9 Discussion: Answers 1-Switzerland and Hawaii are often cited as examples of multigroup societies that are relatively harmonious. What characteristics of their contact situation might help account for this? (Healey, chp.10) Both Switzerland and Hawaii have something that most other places do not: an understanding that tolerance is necessary for very diverse cultures to get along comfortably. Neither have a strong religious focus, and both focus internally on improving themselves, rather then externally on how others will interpret what they do. Laws are created not based on morals (which are biased), but on the principle that everyone deserves equal, and fair treatment under the law. 2-Evaluate current strategies for supporting the cost of the aging population and offer recommendations for future strategies and policies (Kottak, chp.11). Currently, the elderly are supported through Social Security and Medicare, which provide them with income (if they worked), and some health coverage. However, neither of these systems is particularly effective, and both are heavily paperwork, and are not easy to understand. While the U.S is capitalist, it is much more logical to move to a socialist style healthcare, where it is just something that every citizen has a right to, without cost to them. Providing free care throughout people’s lives will decrease the amount of elderly care needed, since they will have been involved in preventative care throughout their lives. They will also still have access to healthcare as they age, something that not all elderly people have. 3-Give examples of class-based, age-based, and gender-based differences with respect to health, fitness, and illness (Kottak, chp.12). Class has a strong impact on health, fitness, and illness. People who have money are also more likely to have heath insurance, to regularly see a doctor, and to have access to good quality healthy food. They are also more likely to have access to and time to attend a gym or fitness facility, which will keep them from getting sick. People who do not have these opportunities are far more likely to get sick. Age also has an affect. As people age, they bodies begin to break down, allowing an increase in illness, and overall poorer muscle tone, which allows people to get hurt more easily, and to become ill more easily. Young children are also more susceptible to illness, since their immune systems are immature. Gender plays some difference in health, since, until recently, women were less likely to exercise, since it was considered a masculine activity, and more likely to starve themselves to create the ideal body shape. 4-Are there any linkages between class and race or ethnicity? If so, what are the relevant patterns? (Kottak, chp.13) There are many suggested links between class and race in the United States. While many of them are unfounded (all black people are poor), many do have some truth to them. There are links not specifically between class and race, but between the ability to move between classes for different races. It is harder in the U.S for a black family to move from lower to middle class, and then again from middle to upper class, because of stereotyping, and also assumed value. A black family who is of similar socioeconomic status as a Caucasian family will actually have less net worth, since what they possess and purchase loses value more quickly. A home, for example, will quickly decrease in worth, where it will not for a Caucasian family. 5-What are some of the differences in behavior and lifestyle associated with small towns, on one hand, and cities, on the other? (Kottak, chp.14) Small towns are known for creating people who all know one another, and act in many ways as one large family, sharing expectations and rules among one another. People from small towns are associated with being more comfortable where they live, and having a lower stress lifestyle. There is a greater preponderance of large families, and the families are thought to be more religious, more conservative, and more likely to be close-minded to change. City dwellers, on the other hand, are thought to live a faster, high stress life. They are thought to spend more time outside their homes, more time at parties and less time with their families. They are less likely to have large families, and more likely to remain single. They are thought to be more liberal, and more accepting of change. They are also believed to be less religious than people who live outside the city. 6-Do you think America should have English as its official language? Why? Why not? (Kottak, chp.15) I do not think that America should have English as its official language. America is a country devoted to equal freedoms, justice, and happiness for everyone. By having one language, people would argue for no longer printing political pamphlets and educational materials in different languages, and getting rid of ESL (English as a Second Language) programs in schools. Many people argue already for denying people rights based on their inability to speak English, and judge them based on their difficulty. If English was made the official language, there might actually be success in taking away the rights of those who have difficulty with English. I would argue against any official language for the United States, because it creates an additional separation between people, which is the last thing that this country needs. Week 10 Discussion: Answers 1-"More diversity" or "more unity": Which would you select as a direction for development of U.S. society? Are these mutually exclusive categories? (Healey, chp.11) I would argue that what U.S society needs is both more unity and more diversity, although if I have to choose one, it would be more unity. I believe that unity is needed not to make everyone the same, but to recognize that everyone is different, and to come together to respect those differences and understand that each person is unique and has their own needs. There can easily be diversity in unity, as long as people want the same things for the whole group, or are at least willing to understand and respect differences. Therefore, what is needed is unity of understanding, and or respect for one another. Diversity is a strong development tool, but one that can also be dangerous. Too much diversity of belief and thought will cause the country to scatter, and never have a majority agree on any topic. Without some unity, the country can not stay together. As above, it is clear that I do not feel that these are mutually exclusive ideas, since the concepts of diversity and unity can be viewed in many different ways. 2-Explain the concepts of globalization and multilocality. Give specific examples (Kottak, chp.3. Globalization is the spread of a concept between nations, and all nations working together towards a similar goal, or fighting a similar threat. Globalization can be seen in the widespread effort to immunize everyone, as people from around the globe work together to combat the problem, and work together to find solutions. It can also be seen in issues such as the Iraq war, which affects the entire globe, and not just the U.S and Iraq. The decision to go to war was based on the opinions and feelings of many countries, and the outcome was that multiple countries banded together for a common cause, and want to help each other find a solution. Multilocality, on the other hand, means a group or organization that has placed itself all over, possibly globally, but that does not necessarily affect the lives of anyone from outside the group. It does not seek to bring in new people, but rather to place itself in new locations. Where globalization I about banding together, multilocality is about being in many places, all with the same goal, but each place strives for that goal on their own. For example, a company might place factories in several different countries, but is not looking for outside help, just a new place and workers to conform to the companies needs. 3-What is the difference between cultural diversity and multiculturalism? (Kottak, chp.4) Diversity is the many different things that make people different from one another. Multiculturalism is also about differences, but refers specifically to the place and ideals that the society the person is from shares, and how they affect each person. Diversity includes differences not related specifically to culture, in addition to culture. Week 11 Discussion: answers 1-Explain what it means to say that culture is now utilized as a basis for identity and social activism. How is multiculturalism a conscious expression of human adaptation? (Kottak, chp.17). Culture is utilized as a basis for identity because people now work to respect diversity in society. Each person looks at their culture and heritage as a way to set themselves apart from those around them, and also to understand more about themselves. It is used for social activism because people with similar backgrounds (who may otherwise not have bonded together) use their knowledge of their history to create bonds, and to fight for rights for people like themselves. Multiculturalism is a conscious expression of human adaptation because it allows a group to change to meet the environment in which it is located, but also to freshen the gene pool, so there is not too much inbreeding. It is conscious because people take pride in the variety of background they have, and use it to further their own interests, and to seek to understand people from other backgrounds. Read More