Sociology the Study of Our Society and the World Within It

     In our sociology class we studied the general concepts of how culture, structure and power play a role in our way we see the world. We are as individuals working to be a part of society. We are dependent on our upbringing to develop the tools necessary for success in our life. From our birth we inherit a social environment. It is our race, ethnicity, class and nationality that place us in our society role. We all strive for success but our place in society begin by our birthright. Our wealth, education and opportunity defines us. Sociology studies this behavior.

     People are part of culture which is a collection of values, beliefs and knowledge that are passed o generation to generation. Values and norms change as society evolves but these patterns are interactions that collectively a community of people use to live together. People of the same culture will create their own neighborhood and live together so they can celebrate their culture. People often share the same economic status. There are clear differences between the rich and poor. The culture is said define our world.  Sociology help us understand how these influences effect us. The company we keep influences us both positively and negatively. Deviant behavior has a way of ruining a society and neighborhood. In the culture there are also subcultures. In school, teens will create their own clicks or hang out with kids that are like them.
  
     Social structure is constantly changing. That is why sociology changes with time and they way people see things. The social structure has changed with social media in the last decade with most people communicate with email but there is less talking and make contact phone. People do not talk to each other as much because of text messaging could effect society in the long run.
   
     Power is the other factor the book highlighted. Money does effect society and influence people. Power is the ability to bring about an intended outcome. People use their influence an money to get jobs. The inequality in our society comes from the power that money and status has. Your education and organization and networking skills can get you a good job. This later helps your status.
  
     In conclusion, there is no denying we are product of our environment. It is very important to get education.We can strive to achieves our goals and society is forever changing. Jobs change and communication changes but people strive to fit in and be a part of the changing world. Our primary influences is learned from our family. As we branch out into the world we change but our values and morals come from what you learn from social structure. It was interesting to see the world thru the eyes of sociology.
  

Motivation or Classification

     Does are race really determine our success? We are all given the same opportunity to go to high school but you must put in work to achieve the goals. In the broader terms you may not go to preschool, your parents may not have finished high school but you do have a chance to succeed. Statistics in the article we read state that Hispanics have the highest dropout rate. Is it the language barrier, poverty or social stigma that makes Hispanics more likely to go to work instead of college?

     My grandmother was born in Puerto Rico. My grandfather was a NYC firefighter and the founder of the Hispanic Society of Fireman in NYC. Yet I really don't define myself by my Spanish heritage because my mother is not Spanish. I was not around the culture so it does not define me. So is it race or your environment that effects your outcome. I believe it is your environment. I know many people of different races who are great students.  If you choose to be in the wrong crowd your less likely to study. Also now that I am older all my friends are going to college even if they work. This may have influenced me staying in school.

     Poor people may feel a need to work because their parents can't support them any longer. They may not see college as an advantage because their parents did not go. Maybe people are using their race as a scapegoat to not succeeding. Whatever the reasons for not completing school you will notice it in your income. Today even a Bachelors Degree doesn't guarantee a good paying job. I hope my hard work pays off.
  

Class and Inequality

     Class and inequality exist in society and is not easily discussed. It is studied in Sociology and those considered poor may have factors in their lives that may contribute to lack of education to an earlier death. So many factors contribute to where and how we live in society.
    
     Opportunity to change classes may not be easily acquired. Life chances help us but not that often does it change your class. Most extreme wealth is usually inherited and your social status is as well. Our health and education are affected by our class. Where and how much money we have effects our lifestyle.
    
     If one is born wealthy it is hard for these people to relate to the struggles of the poor. A certain group may even see these people as undeserving. Many critizeze the welfare system but it only takes a marginal amount of money to secure housing and food for those who need it. The media sees the poor as an eyesore so their struggles become silented. The people who were just involved in the storm "Sandy" have lost everything but were hard working individuals and are now in relative poverty. People can become faceless if we ignore the needs. Our race and ethnicity, age, family, gender all contribute to who we are and where we fit in. Is it fair to judge people without knowing their circumstances?
   
     Education is crucial to improving your life. You will earn more money with a college education. But wealthier young people get a boost if their parents get them a good job with their connections. We all work to improve ourselves. I am going to college to get a better paying job or start my own business.
    
     There is inequality within our own country. It surprised me to find men in America and Angola could have the same survival rate. Our circumstances define us to a degree but can we change them?