The Dominant Effect

Today in sociology we continued discussing the norms of masculinity in our society and how it effects young boys maturing and feeling superior to peers and elders surrounding them.  Manhood has been teased and tested to its extreme in our institutions where peers expose each other to confirm their controlled selves and their barbaric tones.  Men must build up through their lives to become these fictional people that do more damage to themselves physically and emotionally through stress and power.  Society sees bigger and stronger as better in order to prove ones manhood but in essence this creates a standard for status quo.  Men are idiotically thought of as lossers and queers who can't protect themselves and sustain life if they don't prove themselves as true men.  An irksome obligation constantly hangs on one's shoulders to be faster and stronger which appears to give one peace of mind.  In reality, nothing is more dangerous for a yearning individual who establishes a secured future that pars up with the rest of society.  Alterations are needed to define masculinity in our culture.  Also women must be seen not as objects or sex partners, rather beautiful human beings who help sustain life on earth and nourish our children and care for ones being.

What the **** has happened to society?

Today was quite an eye opener as Salituro exposed the true perceptions and images society tries to portray through social norms.  This creates a negative view for the citizens of the republic because they form this narrow minded idea of what is considered acceptable for society's standards.  The youth are catching on quickly from a young age which scares me the most.  They are absorbing this "sick" perception on life as a sort of means to gain popularity and to aggressively persuade other peers.  Luckily I have recognized this behavior in societies role and I create my own perception through education and learning both sides in order to form an educated opinion through hard work and good character.  I am eager to view other perceptions on social norms and how it effects the rest of society.

Community Service Experience

This week was very unique and quite rewarding for me since I traveled with people from sociology to the St. Thomas church in Chicago.  We were greeted with homeless individuals waiting for a meal outside the church when we arrived.  It was quite a wake up call to see the poverty and lack of resources for these individuals living in one of the largest cities in the country.  Of course poverty and gangs usually come with a large urban setting where people barely get by each day.  The most rewarding part of this journey for me was serving the open hearted people their meals and really getting to know them.  They were eager and more than willing to share their life stories and experiences which shape their lives and characters.  Also we had the privilege to help clean the place and physically contribute to our good deeds as citizens of the republic.  As many jewish people would say, we were acting as a "mench" or a good person through good deeds and services.  This was a life changing experience and I look forward to returning to the church to complete my service hours and my duty as a contributor to society.

Money Doesn't buy one Happiness and Love

The story that was posted about the man who lived without money and materialistic possessions really got me thinking about all of the things in our lives that are simply objects.  We have it brainwashed in our minds that the more things one owns, the more happy and successful they are in life.  Main stream society creates an image in our heads about what it means to live a fulfilled american dream and to many people a more simple life is the answer for true happiness in life.  Through the lens that I view our society, it is unfortunate to see traditional values and morals disappear from many families because of the constant drive for more things and a constant pressure filled lifestyle that brings temporary happiness.  People need to recognize the true values and important things that we value.  Similarly to what we read, play with your children, explore the flora and fauna, work can wait until the true answers to our existence are answered.  People just need to keep searching for meanings in life and take the initiative for radical thinking.

The All American Lifestyle

It was very interesting today when we discussed the differences and habits we possess in America as compared with other cultures and social groups in the world.  American's ways of living can be seen as profitable, best impacted, and well rounded in the lense of western sociologists that understand and study our societies habits for a living.  However, in the article we read listing our traditions and norms in our culture, other cultures viewed our beliefs and routines as ridiculous and in some cases an insult.  The don't understand the "American norm" regarding our high paced, materialistic, over achieving self images that robotically live passing up some basic morals and values that pertain to a fulfilled life.  Seeing the differences in our norms and other cultures habits really got me thinking about what I am truly thankful for in life and what I desire to attain before my life ends.  Our families, careers, wealth, financial success, and religion shape many of our lives and it represents who we are as people living on the city upon the shining hill.

Materialistc Based Culture

One of the articles that was assigned to us called Affluenza described all of the patterns and consequences our actions have placed on our culture and our dear planet that may be unable to survive at the pace we strive at.  I have contemplated greatly over the Affluenza article and it really described the truth in a way us consumers never realize because the ugliness rarely stands out in a national market economy where more and faster is all we strive for.  It also shows how pathetic and ridiculous parts of society have declared enjoyment and satisfaction spending money that certain people flat out don't have.  One who thinks in a scholar approach realizes the impacts our choices make and how they effect the rest of society.  We need to examine other cultures behaviors and conclude that the rest of the world lives in a more appropriate state where the planet is thought of and the citizens adapt to the challenges that face them.  We need to also define our true values and morals in life in order to understand the purposes for our existence on God's green earth.  Our culture is a lesson that we all can learn from.  We just need to recognize our true meaning on Earth.

A Bronx Tale

In the movie, A Bronx Tale, there are many different ethnic groups seperated based on races, ethnicities and power that individuals express.  Much of this power has been inherited from families that pass down the authority and status to their children that continue the development of power.  This grotesque behavior was ridiculous when a clan of different races attempted to interact and communicate.  The fact that a different race tried to interact in an out of place zone caused massive altercations and diplorable behavior which suggests that our minds train us to act in certain ways based on what we've been taught.  Similarly today in many large urban communities of ethnic groups, people stay commited in their little clans and they have much difficulty changing the "norm" and routine of everyday living.  This causes any alterations attempted great conflict and anger if actions occur that certain groups don't agree on.  It's unbelievable regarding the endless amounts of socially constructed groups we all belong to without thinking about it and to a large extent it controls the actions and choices we make in every day life.  This movie has been a wake up call to me and has allowed me to explore my sociological imagination regarding how I want my life to be guided.  People need to take control and concideration in order to eliminate main stream society from controlling every choice and path they take in order to attain the scholarly well-rounded role that humans desire. This will also lead to constructing a better rounded world during ones short existence on God's green Earth.  The power rests in each one of our priceless hands.