This project has been one of the best I have had the opportunity to complete. I started out feeling very inadequate in the area of technology. I was somewhat intimidated by the idea of the project, especially since I haven't been in school for a long time. Now, looking back over the semester, I realize my insecure feeling came mostly from the unknown. The more posts I completed, and reflections logged, I gained confidence, little by little. I truly enjoyed growing in more than one area. I was able to think about social issues in a much different way and from many perspectives than I am use to.
I learned that although there are three major perspectives (conflict, structural functionalist, and symbolic interactionist) when it comes to sociology, they are pretty much interconnected with one another. I think if someone leans on only one perspective they lose sight of the full picture.
I had many different feelings throughout the semester. While I really enjoyed the discussion forum I found myself uncomfortable at times. I tend to have a more conservative view on moral issues, and yet, I found myself trying to think of issues from fellow students point of view. It was pretty neat. When it came to family and issues directly affecting children I found myself to be more passionate and opinionated. Then, there came environmental and health care issues which have always been confusing to me, but by the end of the discussion and studying I gained considerable knowledge on the issues.
All in all, I know I may not be able to impact every social problem out there, but I can certainly stay informed on the issues and keep an open mind to the different ideas and perspectives represented.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Emerging Issue: America's Working Poor
The issue in our society today which I feel is the most pressing and in need of a remedy is regarding America's Working Poor. When the recession hit at its hardest point it was the worst people had lost their jobs in about two decades. While many say we are slowly climbing out, statistics continue to show people are still poor. Men and women are working hard to provide for themselves and their families and they still live paycheck to paycheck. Some are not really even making it from paycheck to paycheck. According to an article from the Huffington Post, approximately one in every two Americans are either low-income or earning below the poverty line. The link below will take you to the Huffington Post where it also explains that about 50 percent of Americans are only "one emergency away from a financial crisis."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/working-poor-in-america_n_1415649.html
I really feel as if the hard working citizens in our nation had a much more fair compensation for their work we would eliminate many other problems such as, families losing their homes to foreclosure, better nutritional opportunities, less stress and depression, eliminating consumer debt, and the overall well being of our nation. If people can't even count on the jobs they have presently to sustain them how can we dream? How can we look forward to the future with so much instability?
We need a solution and fast, otherwise who knows which parts of history might be repeated...
"A free America... means just this: individual freedom for all, rich or poor, or else this system of government we call democracy is only an expedient to enslave man to the machine and make him like it."
Frank Lloyd Wright
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/working-poor-in-america_n_1415649.html
I really feel as if the hard working citizens in our nation had a much more fair compensation for their work we would eliminate many other problems such as, families losing their homes to foreclosure, better nutritional opportunities, less stress and depression, eliminating consumer debt, and the overall well being of our nation. If people can't even count on the jobs they have presently to sustain them how can we dream? How can we look forward to the future with so much instability?
 |
| The American Dream retrieved from www.google.com |
 | ||||||
| American Way retrieved from www.google.com |
We need a solution and fast, otherwise who knows which parts of history might be repeated...
"A free America... means just this: individual freedom for all, rich or poor, or else this system of government we call democracy is only an expedient to enslave man to the machine and make him like it."
Frank Lloyd Wright
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Elder Abuse and Neglect
The second topic I have chose to research is Elder Abuse and Neglect from Chapter 5. I chose this topic because there are so many other important issues that can affect us directly and somehow elders become forgotten. They have been a part of history. They have wisdom that younger generations should hold precious, and yet, their caregivers, even children have the audacity to abuse them.
| Personal-injury-elder-abuse (source: www.hoffmanlawfirm.wordpress.com) |
The following link will take you to an article entitled, Elder Abuse: The Status of Current
Knowledge. In this article you will find research on the abuser, abused and abusive situation. According to the article elder abuse has been found as a difficult social issue to research as the definition of "elder abuse" can range widely. Also, in contrast with child abuse and laws mandating reporting, only one in three cases of elder abuse is reported.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/584179
| Elder Abuse Perpetrators (source: www.outofthefog.net) |
The video below is a series of interviews of elder abuse survivors, and other family members. Researchers and experts give their opinions on perpetrator motivations and explain the need for action against elder abuse and neglect.
An
Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America
Here is a link to a website I found very insightful and helpful to those who are care givers. It can help in some very tough times of being a care giver and give inspiration too.
http://www.agingcare.com/
This is a link to a government website. There are statistics, data, places you can report elder abuse, and much more.
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/Main_Site/index.aspx
"Humor keeps the elderly rolling along, singing a song. When you laugh, its an involuntary explosion of the lungs. The lungs need to replenish themselves with oxygen. So you laugh, you breathe, the blood runs, and everything is circulating. If you don't laugh, you'll die."
-Mel Brooks
I chose this quote because I feel like all too often life overall is taken waaaayy too seriously. People forget how to have fun and enjoy it, even if they're changing elderly diapers! Let's face it we're all going to be old someday and would hope for our child or care giver to take good care of us.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
References
Akst, D. (2011). [Quotation]. Retrieved from
American
Way. (n.d.) [image]. Retrieved from www.google.com
American
Dream. (n.d.) [image]. Retrieved from www.google.com
An
Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America. (Apr., 2010). [image].
Retrieved from
Brooks,
M. (n.d). [Quotation]. Retrieved from
Gonzalez,
M. (n.d.). [Quotation]. Retrieved from
Knox, D., Mooney, L., Schacht, C.
(2011) Understanding Social Problems (8th ed.).
Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Kramer, R.C. (2000, Jan.) Poverty,
Inequality, and Youth Violence. Annals of the American
Academy
of Political and Social Science, 567, 123-139. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1049498
Looking
for Peace One Block at a Time. (May, 2008).
[video]. Retreived from
National
Criminal Justice Reference Service. Administered by the Office of Justice
Programs, U.S. Department of
Justice. (2011, Dec.). Retrieved from
Pedrick-Cornell, C., R.G. (1982,
Jul.) Elder Abuse: The Status of Current Knowledge. Family
Relations,
31, 457-465. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/584179
Safdar, Kadeeja.
(2012, April). Number of Working Poor in America Hits its Highest Level in Last
Two Decades: Report. The Huffington
Post. Retrieved from www.huffingtonpost.com
Salonga,
R. (2012, Aug. 15). San Jose’s youth violence efforts lauded by federal
officials.
Mercury News. Retrieved from
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_21312171/federal-officials-laud-san- youth-violence-efforts.
Wright,
F.L. (n.d.) [Quotation]. Retrieved from www.brainyquotes.com
youth-violence-its-causes-800x800.jpg
Youth and Violence
I would like to focus my first research topic on Age and Crime, more specifically, Youth and Violence. This topic idea comes from our text in Chapter 4. I chose this particular topic because I believe the environment children are exposed to influences the likelihood of them becoming involved in violence. If children become involved in crime early in life it can shape who they become as adults.
The following is a link to an article entitled Poverty, Inequality and Youth Violence. The article covers research on how poverty and inequality directly affect youth and the chances of them becoming engaged in violence and crime. When children are raised in poverty it creates inequality. As a result, children can become angry, fearful and stressed out, which then, can lead to acting out in violence.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1049498
This you tube video shows youth violence from various youth's perspectives and the positive action they are willing to take for peace.
The following is a link to an article entitled Poverty, Inequality and Youth Violence. The article covers research on how poverty and inequality directly affect youth and the chances of them becoming engaged in violence and crime. When children are raised in poverty it creates inequality. As a result, children can become angry, fearful and stressed out, which then, can lead to acting out in violence.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1049498
This you tube video shows youth violence from various youth's perspectives and the positive action they are willing to take for peace.
The following link will take you to the government website for The National Criminal Justice Reference Service, U.S. Department of Justice. This is a useful link in that it provides data, statistics and surveys that address specific contributors to juvenile crime.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/yviolence/statistics.html
The following link will take you to The Mercury News, a newspaper in San Jose, California. The article covers a young boy who was a victim of a youth gang attack. Instead of becoming angry and retaliating he found a way to do his part in making a change.
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_21312171/federal-officials-laud-san-joses-youth-violence-efforts
The following link will take you to The Mercury News, a newspaper in San Jose, California. The article covers a young boy who was a victim of a youth gang attack. Instead of becoming angry and retaliating he found a way to do his part in making a change.
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_21312171/federal-officials-laud-san-joses-youth-violence-efforts
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Reflections
Unit 1
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Ch:1 Thinking About Social Problems
I would first like to discuss what a social problem is from my understanding. The two major components, subjective and objective criteria have led to the formation of a definition for the term social problem. Basically, the objective criterion is, when a group of people in society believe there is a social condition. Then, you add the subjective criteria, that same group of people feel the social condition can be harmful to society and can be fixed. Put together, the bottom line becomes that group of people then wants action taken or a remedy for the problem.
Another thing I have found useful is the idea of the sociological imagination. If a person doesn't put their "sociological thinking cap" on it might be difficult to comprehend and keep in context some very critical social problems. The sociological imagination is making the connections between our personal lives and everything that is happening around us. According to our text it is, deciding which issues are "private troubles" and "public issues." Furthermore, it would be identifying if the two might have any relation to one another and asking the question, could something that is a private trouble also be a public issue?
Ch:2 Physical and Mental Health and Health Care
The area that most stood out to me in this chapter reading was the section on obesity. I found it striking; two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese! In just one year the statistics for childhood obesity (ages 6-11) almost doubled from 11 percent up to 20 percent! Another idea which was presented was that in less developed countries people who live in poverty or have low Socioeconomic Status (SES) tend to be undernourished and facing starvation. Yet, in the United States, people who live in poverty have a higher risk of being obese. This is interesting because it just shows us the types of unhealthy foods that are available to those who may be struggling financially. One thing I really enjoyed in this reading was the photo essay section. The photos and info really confirmed some of the feelings I have had toward the way our food is processed. Since having my own family I have become more aware and concerned with what my family eats. There are way too many health and safety issues out there not to be a bit worried. One area that I would like to spend more time trying to understand better is our U.S. Health Care. I know it continues to change but there seem to be a lot of problems with it and until there is some sort of remedy, the health of our nation will continue to be on the line.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Ch:3 Alcohol and Other Drugs
So far, I have found this chapter to be my least favorite. There were some very good statistics, definitions of drugs, and presentation of the effects on the human body and the environment. On the other hand, I had a hard time deciphering between the different sociological theories and perspectives on drug abuse. Plus, there are so many differing opinions on where the line should be drawn with legal action and what a “gateway drug” is, I just found myself becoming frustrated. I think this may be in part due to the history with drug and alcohol abuse in my own family. I just know how it has affected me, and I want something better for the generation my children are growing up in.
Unit 2
Friday, September 28, 2012
Ch: 4: Crime and Social Crime
One fact presented in this chapter that really struck me was, not only are women smuggled into the United States for sex trafficking, but children are as well. The text states that “thousands” are smuggled in! That is so alarming to me! I realize that children have been and are victims of child pornography which is also a terrible thing. Then to find out children are brought to this country for the sole purpose of becoming sex slaves is sickening to me. I feel so very strongly that if an adult who willfully engages in this type of crime should be put to death. I would never want someone with those capabilities to be roaming the streets where my children live whether they are “recovered” or not, served their time or not. Something I liked about reading this chapter was that it was broken down into very short topical paragraphs. This made it very easy for me to read and understand. There are so many ways to observe crime and classify crimes it seems critical to be as specific as possible when describing crime. For example, age and crime, gender and crime, and region and crime each have their own section. Another thing I found helpful to me in this chapter was the section on White Collar Crime. I guess since I come from a blue collar-middle class background I have never gave much in depth thought to the idea of White Collar Crime. I have heard of it and knew a little bit just from the news, but I realized that White Collar Crime can affect society as a whole on a much wider scale. This was very educational to me. The types of crimes that white collar workers are prosecuted for, such as, dangerous products, physician insurance fraud, and toxic waste disposal, are very serious crimes in which the affects can reach even my family.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Ch 8: Problems in Education and “Waiting for Superman” film
Chapter 8 and the study in the education system has been one of my favorite subjects so far. I work within my local school district in the afterschool program. Many of the topics covered in this chapter have been why I feel so strongly about doing my part for the children in my community. I am learning through this class, how to study research data, and it is really helping to paint a clearer picture in areas where I may have made generalizations. In some cases like low SES families, I have always felt there has been a disadvantage when it comes to public schools. In other cases, I was off in my thinking that our government can’t financially afford much more that the $9,000 per student already being put out per year. When in fact, after watching “Waiting for Superman” a child could be funded through private school for their entire school career and still save about 23 thousand dollars compared to funding required to house a person in a correctional facility for the same amount of time! One thing that was interesting to me in this chapter was the idea of Head Start. Head Starts came about to help families and children from very disadvantaged homes. Not only was it established to provide an early learning experience for children, but there was a structure in place to include health care, parental involvement, and social services. From what I have experienced, Head Start has shown to be a very beneficial program for disadvantaged children and their families.
Unit 3
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Chapter 5: Family Problems
Chapter 5 had lots of focus on various levels and types of abuse as well as divorce and polygamy. I had one major problem with this chapter. I really didn’t like how the textbook used celebrities to paint a picture for students as to how “society” views certain issues. For example, we are given the opinions of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the marital situation of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, the assault on Rihanna by Chris Brown, and finally, the divorce of Al and Tipper Gore. I guess because I think when we view our lives in constant comparison to the “stars” we are constantly given a false sense of reality. I mean really? Are these people our role models? To me it seemed more like gossip than anything. On another note, the issues are very real. When it comes to child and elder abuse I feel very passionate. I think it’s because at both of these stages in life the individuals are so fragile and dependent. It’s just not fair for them to be treated with violence.
Chapter 6: Poverty and Economic Inequality
Chapter 6 really opened my eyes to poverty. The difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty is that absolute poverty is when there is no access to basic necessities like food and water, shelter, education and health care. Relative poverty is when you feel “poor” compared with where you wish to be, but you have all of the things that people who are absolutely poor do not have. The United States doesn’t have extreme poverty like many other countries in the world. Although it seems like many families are on the edge of being relatively poor and absolutely poor. There are so many families out there that rely on government agencies and funding to help with those necessities like education, health care and food, if they did not exist and one day had to be taken away they would be absolutely poor. This is not to mention those families who are relying on credit cards to help them pay for the roof over their head or a shortage on gas and grocery funds.
Chapter 7: Work and Unemployment
In this chapter I really got a sense of how the work force operates today. It really made me see how it’s no longer just a competition for job positions locally or even nationally, but it has become a global economy and competition for good jobs. We have had so many shifts in focus for what is in demand, at such a rapid pace, maybe that’s why things seem so complicated and messy these days. For example, the focus quickly went to an industrialized work force in the early 19th century and now we are already in the middle of the post industrialized work force. It seems like the people of the industrialized work force had a good sense of hard work and labor. Now, we have a younger generation who has lost that focus for good work ethic but a very good sense of how to look for a job on a global scale and the areas of need in the work force.
Unit 4
Chapter 9: Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
This chapter hit somewhat close to home. I come from a long lineage of immigrants, some maybe even, illegal. I found the “Whiteness Studies” interesting. Colleges and Universities are offering a focus on increasing awareness on the privileges of having “white skin.” According to our text the study is an “attempt to think critically about how white skin preference has operated systematically, structurally, and sometimes unconsciously as a dominant force in American-and indeed in global-society and culture.” One of the things I learned in this chapter is that it is possible to discriminate even without being prejudiced. An example given in the book is when a store clerk begins to watch a certain race because the manager is prejudiced and has told the clerk to watch that race more closely. Also, something else that came up in this chapter that I was able to make a connection with was the segregation in schools. I remember in Chapter 8 people living in poverty, ghettos, or inner city neighborhoods typically comprise of minority groups. The same train of thought was presented in this chapter and it sounds like court-ordered desegregation plans are being put into effect to stop the increase of segregation within school systems.
Chapter 10: Gender Inequality
In this chapter I gained a lot of terminology. There were ideas and concepts I were previously aware of but learned that there are technical terms for some of these things. In the section under Work and Structural Sexism, for example, pink-collar jobs are those that women typically occupy such as secretaries and tellers, and they offer few benefits. Another term I learned of is called a glass ceiling when there is an invisible barrier that prevents women and other minorities from moving to the top in corporate positions. I find that the Photo Essays are a great piece in each chapter for me. This particular photo essay focuses on the gender continuum. It provides a variety of cultures and glimpses throughout history for which a person’s “sex” can be one of three “male, female, or other.” The two cultures, Indian and Native American view male-female gender as a privilege and in the Indian culture it has been institutionalized for thousands of years.
Chapter 11: Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality
This chapter was somewhat difficult for me. I get the idea that people just want their equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. The reason I was frustrated is because I have my personal beliefs and my life journey takes me on a road that does not support gay marriage. In this chapter, because of my beliefs, I would be portrayed as a monster and narrow minded. Just because I do not agree with something doesn’t mean I will commit a hate crime or start speaking out against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (lgbt) relationships. The most startling thing I read in this chapter was the “Letter from a Concerned Listener.” Although the advice columnist may have been angry I think he went over the top. The listener wrote his/her comment and feelings in a reasonable manner. The columnist was just downright rude to the listener, which was uncalled for. I truly believe in the eternal value of the Bible regardless of who others are or do, I am to treat everyone with love and kindness.
Unit 5
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Chapter 13: Environmental Problems
Wow, I learned so much in this chapter! At first I was overwhelmed because I knew very little on the issue of the impacts on the environment. One thing that really interested me was the Keystone XL oil pipeline. I have never heard of tar sands or tar sands oil. I was amazed that something that is naturally occurring when transformed from solid to liquid could have such a negative impact on many things, including our drinking water!
Another point I found crazy is that Ethyl, a United States company sued Canada and won $13million because they were backed up by the policies of a transnational corporation. According to our text, transnational corporations and free trade agreements are allowed to have access to the world economy and established in developing countries where laws are very loose. Under certain provisions corporations can proceed with potentially harmful imports and exports if the courts rule that regulatory measures will negatively impact their business. I find that absurd!
Finally, I feel that we can all do our part to make changes in our own individual lives and families for the good of our environment. But, if our government and other world leaders do not step up to the plate and start changing some things that only they can, our world will continue to deteriorate.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Ch:1 Thinking About Social Problems
I would first like to discuss what a social problem is from my understanding. The two major components, subjective and objective criteria have led to the formation of a definition for the term social problem. Basically, the objective criterion is, when a group of people in society believe there is a social condition. Then, you add the subjective criteria, that same group of people feel the social condition can be harmful to society and can be fixed. Put together, the bottom line becomes that group of people then wants action taken or a remedy for the problem.
Another thing I have found useful is the idea of the sociological imagination. If a person doesn't put their "sociological thinking cap" on it might be difficult to comprehend and keep in context some very critical social problems. The sociological imagination is making the connections between our personal lives and everything that is happening around us. According to our text it is, deciding which issues are "private troubles" and "public issues." Furthermore, it would be identifying if the two might have any relation to one another and asking the question, could something that is a private trouble also be a public issue?
Ch:2 Physical and Mental Health and Health Care
The area that most stood out to me in this chapter reading was the section on obesity. I found it striking; two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese! In just one year the statistics for childhood obesity (ages 6-11) almost doubled from 11 percent up to 20 percent! Another idea which was presented was that in less developed countries people who live in poverty or have low Socioeconomic Status (SES) tend to be undernourished and facing starvation. Yet, in the United States, people who live in poverty have a higher risk of being obese. This is interesting because it just shows us the types of unhealthy foods that are available to those who may be struggling financially. One thing I really enjoyed in this reading was the photo essay section. The photos and info really confirmed some of the feelings I have had toward the way our food is processed. Since having my own family I have become more aware and concerned with what my family eats. There are way too many health and safety issues out there not to be a bit worried. One area that I would like to spend more time trying to understand better is our U.S. Health Care. I know it continues to change but there seem to be a lot of problems with it and until there is some sort of remedy, the health of our nation will continue to be on the line.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Ch:3 Alcohol and Other Drugs
So far, I have found this chapter to be my least favorite. There were some very good statistics, definitions of drugs, and presentation of the effects on the human body and the environment. On the other hand, I had a hard time deciphering between the different sociological theories and perspectives on drug abuse. Plus, there are so many differing opinions on where the line should be drawn with legal action and what a “gateway drug” is, I just found myself becoming frustrated. I think this may be in part due to the history with drug and alcohol abuse in my own family. I just know how it has affected me, and I want something better for the generation my children are growing up in.
Unit 2
Friday, September 28, 2012
Ch: 4: Crime and Social Crime
One fact presented in this chapter that really struck me was, not only are women smuggled into the United States for sex trafficking, but children are as well. The text states that “thousands” are smuggled in! That is so alarming to me! I realize that children have been and are victims of child pornography which is also a terrible thing. Then to find out children are brought to this country for the sole purpose of becoming sex slaves is sickening to me. I feel so very strongly that if an adult who willfully engages in this type of crime should be put to death. I would never want someone with those capabilities to be roaming the streets where my children live whether they are “recovered” or not, served their time or not. Something I liked about reading this chapter was that it was broken down into very short topical paragraphs. This made it very easy for me to read and understand. There are so many ways to observe crime and classify crimes it seems critical to be as specific as possible when describing crime. For example, age and crime, gender and crime, and region and crime each have their own section. Another thing I found helpful to me in this chapter was the section on White Collar Crime. I guess since I come from a blue collar-middle class background I have never gave much in depth thought to the idea of White Collar Crime. I have heard of it and knew a little bit just from the news, but I realized that White Collar Crime can affect society as a whole on a much wider scale. This was very educational to me. The types of crimes that white collar workers are prosecuted for, such as, dangerous products, physician insurance fraud, and toxic waste disposal, are very serious crimes in which the affects can reach even my family.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Ch 8: Problems in Education and “Waiting for Superman” film
Chapter 8 and the study in the education system has been one of my favorite subjects so far. I work within my local school district in the afterschool program. Many of the topics covered in this chapter have been why I feel so strongly about doing my part for the children in my community. I am learning through this class, how to study research data, and it is really helping to paint a clearer picture in areas where I may have made generalizations. In some cases like low SES families, I have always felt there has been a disadvantage when it comes to public schools. In other cases, I was off in my thinking that our government can’t financially afford much more that the $9,000 per student already being put out per year. When in fact, after watching “Waiting for Superman” a child could be funded through private school for their entire school career and still save about 23 thousand dollars compared to funding required to house a person in a correctional facility for the same amount of time! One thing that was interesting to me in this chapter was the idea of Head Start. Head Starts came about to help families and children from very disadvantaged homes. Not only was it established to provide an early learning experience for children, but there was a structure in place to include health care, parental involvement, and social services. From what I have experienced, Head Start has shown to be a very beneficial program for disadvantaged children and their families.
Unit 3
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Chapter 5: Family Problems
Chapter 5 had lots of focus on various levels and types of abuse as well as divorce and polygamy. I had one major problem with this chapter. I really didn’t like how the textbook used celebrities to paint a picture for students as to how “society” views certain issues. For example, we are given the opinions of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the marital situation of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, the assault on Rihanna by Chris Brown, and finally, the divorce of Al and Tipper Gore. I guess because I think when we view our lives in constant comparison to the “stars” we are constantly given a false sense of reality. I mean really? Are these people our role models? To me it seemed more like gossip than anything. On another note, the issues are very real. When it comes to child and elder abuse I feel very passionate. I think it’s because at both of these stages in life the individuals are so fragile and dependent. It’s just not fair for them to be treated with violence.
Chapter 6: Poverty and Economic Inequality
Chapter 6 really opened my eyes to poverty. The difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty is that absolute poverty is when there is no access to basic necessities like food and water, shelter, education and health care. Relative poverty is when you feel “poor” compared with where you wish to be, but you have all of the things that people who are absolutely poor do not have. The United States doesn’t have extreme poverty like many other countries in the world. Although it seems like many families are on the edge of being relatively poor and absolutely poor. There are so many families out there that rely on government agencies and funding to help with those necessities like education, health care and food, if they did not exist and one day had to be taken away they would be absolutely poor. This is not to mention those families who are relying on credit cards to help them pay for the roof over their head or a shortage on gas and grocery funds.
Chapter 7: Work and Unemployment
In this chapter I really got a sense of how the work force operates today. It really made me see how it’s no longer just a competition for job positions locally or even nationally, but it has become a global economy and competition for good jobs. We have had so many shifts in focus for what is in demand, at such a rapid pace, maybe that’s why things seem so complicated and messy these days. For example, the focus quickly went to an industrialized work force in the early 19th century and now we are already in the middle of the post industrialized work force. It seems like the people of the industrialized work force had a good sense of hard work and labor. Now, we have a younger generation who has lost that focus for good work ethic but a very good sense of how to look for a job on a global scale and the areas of need in the work force.
Unit 4
Sunday,
November 11, 2012
Chapter 9: Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
This chapter hit somewhat close to home. I come from a long lineage of immigrants, some maybe even, illegal. I found the “Whiteness Studies” interesting. Colleges and Universities are offering a focus on increasing awareness on the privileges of having “white skin.” According to our text the study is an “attempt to think critically about how white skin preference has operated systematically, structurally, and sometimes unconsciously as a dominant force in American-and indeed in global-society and culture.” One of the things I learned in this chapter is that it is possible to discriminate even without being prejudiced. An example given in the book is when a store clerk begins to watch a certain race because the manager is prejudiced and has told the clerk to watch that race more closely. Also, something else that came up in this chapter that I was able to make a connection with was the segregation in schools. I remember in Chapter 8 people living in poverty, ghettos, or inner city neighborhoods typically comprise of minority groups. The same train of thought was presented in this chapter and it sounds like court-ordered desegregation plans are being put into effect to stop the increase of segregation within school systems.
Chapter 10: Gender Inequality
In this chapter I gained a lot of terminology. There were ideas and concepts I were previously aware of but learned that there are technical terms for some of these things. In the section under Work and Structural Sexism, for example, pink-collar jobs are those that women typically occupy such as secretaries and tellers, and they offer few benefits. Another term I learned of is called a glass ceiling when there is an invisible barrier that prevents women and other minorities from moving to the top in corporate positions. I find that the Photo Essays are a great piece in each chapter for me. This particular photo essay focuses on the gender continuum. It provides a variety of cultures and glimpses throughout history for which a person’s “sex” can be one of three “male, female, or other.” The two cultures, Indian and Native American view male-female gender as a privilege and in the Indian culture it has been institutionalized for thousands of years.
Chapter 11: Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality
This chapter was somewhat difficult for me. I get the idea that people just want their equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. The reason I was frustrated is because I have my personal beliefs and my life journey takes me on a road that does not support gay marriage. In this chapter, because of my beliefs, I would be portrayed as a monster and narrow minded. Just because I do not agree with something doesn’t mean I will commit a hate crime or start speaking out against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (lgbt) relationships. The most startling thing I read in this chapter was the “Letter from a Concerned Listener.” Although the advice columnist may have been angry I think he went over the top. The listener wrote his/her comment and feelings in a reasonable manner. The columnist was just downright rude to the listener, which was uncalled for. I truly believe in the eternal value of the Bible regardless of who others are or do, I am to treat everyone with love and kindness.
Unit 5
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Chapter 13: Environmental Problems
Wow, I learned so much in this chapter! At first I was overwhelmed because I knew very little on the issue of the impacts on the environment. One thing that really interested me was the Keystone XL oil pipeline. I have never heard of tar sands or tar sands oil. I was amazed that something that is naturally occurring when transformed from solid to liquid could have such a negative impact on many things, including our drinking water!
Another point I found crazy is that Ethyl, a United States company sued Canada and won $13million because they were backed up by the policies of a transnational corporation. According to our text, transnational corporations and free trade agreements are allowed to have access to the world economy and established in developing countries where laws are very loose. Under certain provisions corporations can proceed with potentially harmful imports and exports if the courts rule that regulatory measures will negatively impact their business. I find that absurd!
Finally, I feel that we can all do our part to make changes in our own individual lives and families for the good of our environment. But, if our government and other world leaders do not step up to the plate and start changing some things that only they can, our world will continue to deteriorate.
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