Reading reflection - Essay Example

Reading Reflection Socialization Socialization is a form of social modification where individuals are modeled to conform to the society’s norms. It is a situation where an individual is expected to behave in a particular way to be deemed as normal and be accepted as being part of that community. Deviations are not encouraged and anyone who deviates from the norm is frowned upon and can lead to discrimination. This is paper aims to make an in depth analysis on the impacts of socialization and what it means to people.

Socialization begins at birth and it is influenced by our parents or the people taxed with our upbringing. They do this subconsciously because it is what they were also conditioned to think. Most people do not realize what they are actually doing because they think it is the normal and right way of doing things, and they usually have predetermined expectations of their action’s outcomes. However, if there is any deviation from the expected results, it leads to disappointment on the parent’s part or they deem their child wayward or unbecoming.

They go to great lengths to rectify the anomaly, which includes counseling sessions and even institutionalization in rehabilitation clinics, in extreme cases. When a person takes an in depth look at how he was conditioned to behave and what to believe, he or she can begin to see a pattern irrespective of where in the world they are. This is because it is all the same no matter what race we belong to. When we question this ordered and predetermined occurrence of events more often than not, we will be met with some resistance from different quarters of the society.

The society is designed in such a way that we have the haves and the have-nots, the givers and the takers, and the powerful and the powerless. All of these people are comfortable in the roles they were programmed to play since birth, and if everyone plays their role then everyone is happy. Sometimes when a person critically assesses why some things are the way they are and tries to forge a new path for themselves, the society subconsciously tries to shut them down (Bradley, 2012).In most societies, disabled people are not expected to be better than able bodied individuals.

When a blind friend of mine decided that he could sing and went ahead and started going to the studio to record his songs, he was met with ridicule and discouragement from everyone telling him that he was wasting money and time, and that no good would come of his efforts. This is because the society had a predetermined role for him to play and it did not include him being a musician. This implies that society was trying balance out things. The only way that a person can break through such barrier in life is refuse to be dictated by society and forge his or her own path.

My blind friend believed that he had a higher purpose in life than just being a disabled person who would depend on others for the rest of his life because that is how the society wanted it to be. He believed in himself and after a while other people also began changing their perception about his condition and capabilities. If we change the perception about ourselves, then society too will also change and perceive us for what we want.Difference Difference is variation between two or more entities (Bradley, 2012).

The degree of variation is not necessary as long as they are not identical. The most common and obvious difference is one that is characterized by physical difference where there is a variation in shape, size and color. Other differences are harder to discern and can only be distinguished upon closer in depth examination. However, not all forms of difference are actually tangible differences, but are variations we create in our minds, for example, gender and ethnicity. This paper aims at taking an analytical look at what entails difference and its impact on our day to day lives.

When we classify ourselves as being female or male it is based on our physiology, and there is a difference because males and females have different genitalia, which serve different reproductive functions. These functions make us different both physically and mentally because we are composed of different levels of hormones, which make people, appear different from males or females. Most differences in this world are “created differences” meant to give life an orderly flow of purpose with every individual playing his or her role dictated by differences we choose to accept.

Gender disparity is a phenomena created to serve the purpose of distinguishing between males and females; delegating them roles that they are supposed to fill and play because of their gender (Bradley, 2012). When an individual in a certain gender classification questions the role they are expected to play and act as if there is no difference between the two genders, it brings conflict and disapproval from the society. The notion of gender was brought about to give a certain group power over the other so that the powerless group could become the subjects to be ruled over and dominated.

When the powerless group realizes that the gender disparity they are supposed to adhere to is just a notion and not a true fact that cannot be changed, then there arises conflict, and the powerful will try to hold on to power the best way they can. This notion is a closely guarded secret and only a few people know its purpose. Instead, it is peddled to the masses as the factual truth to be obeyed religiously.The same case applies to ethnicity and sexuality, which are notions or ideas planted in our minds from the onset of life and any deviation from these “facts” is highly criticized and frowned upon by society.

All people are the same and both male and female can do the same things equally when given the right conditions and terms. The difference only exists in our minds since people can speak different languages and have difference skin color, but they are still people. The only difference being that they are classified into different ethnic groups to give a certain majority or minority group power over other groups. The emergence of class in society is also a difference created to enable people exist peacefully and contented with what they have.

Most of the differences in the world exist in our minds since we are the ones who choose to accept them and let them play significant roles, in our lives. In summary, we can choose to disregard differences that affect us negatively and make changes that benefit us. Differences created by society to benefit some groups should not be allowed to become obstacles in lives. ReferencesBradley H (2012).Gender:Volume48 of Key Concepts in Social Sciences series Key Concepts.2nd Edition. Wiley.