Sociology in Life - Essay Example

Sociology in your life Abstract This paper seeks to describe how sociology can be regarded as succinctly relevant in the prediction and understanding of my own personal, professional, and academic life. In the paper, I will choose and discuss two topics already covered in class; the topics to be discussed include culture and socialization. Each topic will be discussed thoroughly, with the use of three concepts for each of the topics. In addition, the paper will give a clear explanation of each of the concept, their meaning, and how they can be utilized for an enhanced understanding of my own personal life. Sociology in your life Culture Culture refers to the behaviors, beliefs, and common characteristics shared by a group of people or members of a certain society. Culture enables groups and people to define themselves, contribute to the society’s wellbeing, as well as ensure conformity to the values shared in society. Culture entails some aspects in society such as customs, language, norms, values, rules, mores, institutions, products, as well as technology among others. Institutions encompass cultural meanings as well as rules, which may be associated with certain activities taking place in the social realm of society. Institutions present in a culture range from the smallest institutions of the family to other complex institutions such as education, work, religion, as well as healthcare (Kalman, 2009). Some of the concepts of culture include social organization, economic systems, and symbols. Social Organization Social organization details the social structure that organizes the members of a society into small units with the ultimate aim of meeting basic needs. Some of the basic units formed through social organization include family patterns and social classes. In a culture, the family can be regarded as the most fundamental unit used in social organization. A child learns how to interact with other members of society through the family. In my upbringing, my family has played a crucial role in instilling in me norms of acceptable behavior. I have also learnt what the society expects me to do and my role in society through the family. A family may either be a nuclear family or an extended family; a nuclear family comprises of the husband, wife and children while an extended family may consist of generations living together (Jenks, 2002). This concept has particularly been helpful in helping me understand the role of the family and the expectations placed on each of its members. Social organization also encompasses social classes, which rank people in accordance to the status they hold in society (Jenks, 2002). This concept has helped me understand the basis of social stratification in society, as well as the various social classes and statuses that people hold in society. Economic systems The concept of economic systems refers to the ways in which people utilize limited and scarce resources in society in order to meet their needs. This concept comprises of what people should produce, how they should produce it, and the target market of the finished goods. In cultures that depend on a traditional economy, people engage in the production of the commodities they need for survival. For example, they may carry out activities such as hunting and gathering as well as livestock keeping and crop farming. The market economy comprises of a scenario where there is selling as well as buying of services and goods. A command economy is where people do not have a lot of economic power since the government controls both production and distribution of goods and services. A mixed economy is where both individuals and the government have a shared responsibility in the making of economic decisions. This concept helps me understand the modes of production present in society (Kalman, 2009). The concept of symbols As a cultural concept, symbols refer to objects that remind people belonging to a certain culture the beliefs and rules of their culture. Symbols act as an indicator of status held by various people in a society. Some of the common symbols that people may use include clothing, ornaments, and other forms of decorations (Jenks, 2002). Symbols may also be in terms of the greetings people use while addressing one another. Symbols have helped me understand the changes taking place in society. For example, symbols of fashion have been useful in helping me comprehend modern form of clothing. Socialization Socialization refers to the process of transforming children into social beings, with the aim of instilling in them culture and acceptable norms of behavior. While undergoing socialization, children tend to learn the language of the culture they find themselves. In addition, children learn how to conduct themselves, and the various roles that the society expects them to play. Socialization has helped me learn what is expected of me at the family level, while in school, and while interacting with my peers. Some of the most crucial concepts in socialization include personality formation, agents of socialization, and resocialization (Bales & Parsons, 2003). The Concept of Personality formation The process of personality formation is largely influenced by socialization, despite the fact that genes play a role in the formation of personality. Personality is molded by the socialization process by encouraging certain beliefs, attitudes, and feelings towards certain phenomenon. For example, socialization can teach a person to be gentle and non-violent, aspects that will be revealed in a person’s personality (Bales & Parsons, 2003). Agents of Socialization The other concept is that of agents of socialization, which encompass institutions and organizations that have a part to play in socializing a child. Some of the agents of socialization include the family, school, peer groups, and the mass media. The family acts as the primary socialization agent as children are taught how to behave by their family members such as parents. The school also plays a role in the process of socialization; for example, it is through the school that the child experiences a new world. The school has equipped me with skills that will enable me perform as a good citizen. Peers are particularly influential in the process of socialization during adolescence and early adulthood (Berns, 2009). Resocialization Resocialization details the situation whereby a person discards former patterns of behavior that he or she had and accepting new behavior patterns; it is an indication of some form of transition in a person’s life (Bales & Parsons, 2003). The process of resocialization takes place during the lifetime of a person. In my life, I have learnt new ways of doing things, which have changed me significantly. Through interactions with other people and in my school life, I have gained exposure to new values, norms, and ways of doing things. References Bales, R. F. & Parsons, T. (2003). Family: socialization and interaction process. London: Routledge. Berns, R. M. (2009). Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support. London: Cengage Learning. Jenks, C. (2002). Culture: Critical Concepts in Sociology, Volume 1. London: Routledge. Kalman, B. (2009). What is Culture? Berlin: Crabtree Publishing Company. Read More