Saturday, May 19, 2012
Culture
Culture...my textbook says that culture is a set of values and ideals that we understand to define morality, good and evil, appropriate and inappropriate. The US is made up of many different cultures because of the different ethnicities that are here. Each one of us was brought up differently and thus have our own ideals, beliefs, and values. Each country's culture is different. When I went to the Philippines for the first time, I experienced culture shock. I knew that when I went it would be different from what I am used to here in the US. Most of the people there that I crossed paths with especially when I went to the mall there were polite and respectful. I don't know if they were like that because they somehow knew I was a foreigner and wanted me to buy something. I believe it was the other way meaning, the Filipinos showed respect because it is the way they were brought up. When my wife came here from the Philippines also, she experienced culture shock because she wasn't used to how Americans acted. I believe everyone should be aware of other cultures so there would be no tension or awkwardness. For example, if I went to another neighborhood filled with Muslims, I would not want to do something that would offend them and make them think Asians are bad.
Deviant
I remember a time when I was deviant. Deviance is when a social rule is broken or when you refuse to follow one. When I was in high school a few weeks before I was going to get my driver's license, I didn't want my sister to walk home from school so I decided to take the car and go pick her up. I didn't realize that she didn't need to be picked up at the time so when I was on my way back home I spotted one of my friends walking. I slowed down and asked him if he wanted a ride but suddenly a police car came and stopped me. The cop asked me for my driver's license but I didn't have one and I told her the truth. So, I went back to the police station with the cop and I think my friend drove the car there. I had to go to court and pay a fine. Because of this, I had to wait a couple more months to get my driver's license. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by taking the car and slowing down but the cop thought differently. The cop said I was driving erratically or I was swerving when they stopped me but that wasn't true. Also, the cop said a sarcastic remark that got me upset I wanted to tell the judge when I went to court and fight it. My feeling for that cop stayed with me for a long time until eventually I forgot and it went away.
We can be doing something deviant and not even know it is deviant. I don't understand how some things can be considered deviant by society such as being with the wrong group of people or being an overweight person in a gym. My brother was hanging out with the wrong group of people for a while. My mother and the rest of my family thought he was on drugs. Now, he doesn't hang out with the same group. My brother is like the black sheep of the family with the examples of his deviance. By not conforming to society and what others think are right labels you a deviant.
We can be doing something deviant and not even know it is deviant. I don't understand how some things can be considered deviant by society such as being with the wrong group of people or being an overweight person in a gym. My brother was hanging out with the wrong group of people for a while. My mother and the rest of my family thought he was on drugs. Now, he doesn't hang out with the same group. My brother is like the black sheep of the family with the examples of his deviance. By not conforming to society and what others think are right labels you a deviant.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Boys and Tough Guise
What does it mean to be a real man and what role does organized sports play in it? In a video I watched called "Tough Guise" by Jackson Katz, a group of young teen boys said that to be a man you had to be tough, strong, a leader, independent, athletic and respected. If you were not a man, you were labeled a wuss, girly, and a fag. Men and boys put up a "front" or mask to hide our vulnerability. Almost every male wants some kind of respect. I know when I was growing up I wanted to be respected too and I wanted to fit in.
Part of the video was about the school shootings and what it was that drove the suspects to go on a rampage and shoot. Media plays a big part of our socialization, whether it be movies, television, and ads in the magazines. Most of the violence that happens are caused by men. There is violence againt women, but most of the violence is men against other men. The violence reported in the news, newspapers, and other media don't question "Why is it that boys/men that are committing this?". If women/girls do something bad, the media will automatically question "Why?". Take for example the story of Lorena Bobbit who castrated her husband. The media was asking why she did it. Jackson said that violence has been gendered masculine. He also said that it is often men in charge who are the creators and authors of pop culture. Some of the men known to degrade and put down women are Andrew Dice Clay, Howard Stern, and Rush Limbaugh.
Sports has helped play a role in masculinity. In the article I read titled "Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities", the author Michael Messner interviewed thirty male former athletes. Almost all of those interviewed played sports because they were influenced by their uncles, older brothers, or community. Playing a sport came naturally to some, while others had to be "nudged" into playing. There was a quote by Zane Grey who said, "All boys love baseball. If they don't they're not real boys". Most of the boys wanted approval from their fathers. When I was a boy I played different kinds of sports like baseball, bowling, basketball, and tennis. I loved playing sports. My father played softball for his work team, bowling, and even golf. I don't remember if I played to get recognition from my father but I'm sure it would feel good.
Good examples of who real men are are Mark Mcgwire, Mohammed Ali, and Christopher Reeve. Mark Mcgwire is portrayed as a tough, real man. He is tall, strong, and physically fit. During a press conference, he talked about his foundation to help girls and boys who were sexually abused and he became emotional. The reporters were surprised because he showed his vulnerability. No one knew that a man of his status would cry. To me, being a real man is being able to provide for your family, acknowledging that my wife and I are equals in our relationship and household, and showing respect to the elders and women.
Part of the video was about the school shootings and what it was that drove the suspects to go on a rampage and shoot. Media plays a big part of our socialization, whether it be movies, television, and ads in the magazines. Most of the violence that happens are caused by men. There is violence againt women, but most of the violence is men against other men. The violence reported in the news, newspapers, and other media don't question "Why is it that boys/men that are committing this?". If women/girls do something bad, the media will automatically question "Why?". Take for example the story of Lorena Bobbit who castrated her husband. The media was asking why she did it. Jackson said that violence has been gendered masculine. He also said that it is often men in charge who are the creators and authors of pop culture. Some of the men known to degrade and put down women are Andrew Dice Clay, Howard Stern, and Rush Limbaugh.
Sports has helped play a role in masculinity. In the article I read titled "Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities", the author Michael Messner interviewed thirty male former athletes. Almost all of those interviewed played sports because they were influenced by their uncles, older brothers, or community. Playing a sport came naturally to some, while others had to be "nudged" into playing. There was a quote by Zane Grey who said, "All boys love baseball. If they don't they're not real boys". Most of the boys wanted approval from their fathers. When I was a boy I played different kinds of sports like baseball, bowling, basketball, and tennis. I loved playing sports. My father played softball for his work team, bowling, and even golf. I don't remember if I played to get recognition from my father but I'm sure it would feel good.
Good examples of who real men are are Mark Mcgwire, Mohammed Ali, and Christopher Reeve. Mark Mcgwire is portrayed as a tough, real man. He is tall, strong, and physically fit. During a press conference, he talked about his foundation to help girls and boys who were sexually abused and he became emotional. The reporters were surprised because he showed his vulnerability. No one knew that a man of his status would cry. To me, being a real man is being able to provide for your family, acknowledging that my wife and I are equals in our relationship and household, and showing respect to the elders and women.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Social Stratification and Class
Our sociology class was asked to watch a video called "People Like Us". In the beginning of the video a few people were shown pictures of other people and asked to describe what they saw. The first picture was an elderly man wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts. The people who saw the picture thought he was a redneck. The next picture was of a man and woman. The people who described them saw them as an upper class couple. It's easy for us to judge others by how they dress and look, we do it all the time even though we don't mean to. There is a saying that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, and that's what we should all think about.
The narrator said, "we separate ourselves with people who don't fit in our group" and it's true. He also said that "America is a country divided by class", and "class is everywhere yet it's hard to see". No matter what country you're in, there is a division of classes even if it's not the same type of division. As children from Pre-K to middle school, there is no division until they grow older and go into high school. I believe when you get to high school is when you start to notice things about yourself and others and that's when you separate into different groups or classes. In the video, Joe Green who is a satirist, was right when he said that "we fear criticism".
A community in Burlington, VT was divided because of which supermarket to build in the downtown area. People voiced their opinions in a community hearing. Some were asked what kind of bread they eat. It was said that the higher the class you're in, the less white bread you eat..meaning that people in the high class don't eat white bread, they eat artisan bread or something in that nature. The supermarkets that were vying for the spot downtown was a giant supermarket called Shaw's, and an organic store called Onion River Coop. Most of the people thought it was more expensive in the organic store and didn't want it. The City Council voted 12 to 2 for Onion River Coop to get the spot. Shortly after, the coop began stocking 99 cent white bread.
Some of the people to me were funny of what they said how they were brought up. A woman who was an african american in the middle class was told when growing up that she should not associate with the people at the very bottom because "they are poor white trash" and not to let them touch her because they're not clean. It was said that the people at the top were said to have three things: money, a family name, and an attitude. The people belonging in the WASP community is an example of this. WASP stands for White, Anglo, Saxon, Protestant. Examples of what someone in WASP does is that the men come together to do "piping". Other examples is that they have historic houses, and that WASPS think they do everything better, they are smarter, and are more cultured.
Mostly everybody thinks they belong in middle class. I believed also that I belonged in middle class. Before my wife started to work again, our class was actually a working class. Now that there is another income in the household, we're back in the middle class. Towards the end of the video was a part called Tammy's Story. I felt sorry for Tammy and her family. Tammy was what many would call belonging at the very bottom. She lived in a trailer with junk around her yard because no one wanted to lift a finger to clean it up. One of her sons is embarrassed of her and doesn't want to let his friends see her because of the way she dresses. He thinks he's in a better class than her. Tammy doesn't want to be on welfare and wants to provide for her family even though she walks 10 and a half miles to work in Burger King. People think their life is hard but they don't realize that it is harder for many other people.
The narrator said, "we separate ourselves with people who don't fit in our group" and it's true. He also said that "America is a country divided by class", and "class is everywhere yet it's hard to see". No matter what country you're in, there is a division of classes even if it's not the same type of division. As children from Pre-K to middle school, there is no division until they grow older and go into high school. I believe when you get to high school is when you start to notice things about yourself and others and that's when you separate into different groups or classes. In the video, Joe Green who is a satirist, was right when he said that "we fear criticism".
A community in Burlington, VT was divided because of which supermarket to build in the downtown area. People voiced their opinions in a community hearing. Some were asked what kind of bread they eat. It was said that the higher the class you're in, the less white bread you eat..meaning that people in the high class don't eat white bread, they eat artisan bread or something in that nature. The supermarkets that were vying for the spot downtown was a giant supermarket called Shaw's, and an organic store called Onion River Coop. Most of the people thought it was more expensive in the organic store and didn't want it. The City Council voted 12 to 2 for Onion River Coop to get the spot. Shortly after, the coop began stocking 99 cent white bread.
Some of the people to me were funny of what they said how they were brought up. A woman who was an african american in the middle class was told when growing up that she should not associate with the people at the very bottom because "they are poor white trash" and not to let them touch her because they're not clean. It was said that the people at the top were said to have three things: money, a family name, and an attitude. The people belonging in the WASP community is an example of this. WASP stands for White, Anglo, Saxon, Protestant. Examples of what someone in WASP does is that the men come together to do "piping". Other examples is that they have historic houses, and that WASPS think they do everything better, they are smarter, and are more cultured.
Mostly everybody thinks they belong in middle class. I believed also that I belonged in middle class. Before my wife started to work again, our class was actually a working class. Now that there is another income in the household, we're back in the middle class. Towards the end of the video was a part called Tammy's Story. I felt sorry for Tammy and her family. Tammy was what many would call belonging at the very bottom. She lived in a trailer with junk around her yard because no one wanted to lift a finger to clean it up. One of her sons is embarrassed of her and doesn't want to let his friends see her because of the way she dresses. He thinks he's in a better class than her. Tammy doesn't want to be on welfare and wants to provide for her family even though she walks 10 and a half miles to work in Burger King. People think their life is hard but they don't realize that it is harder for many other people.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Gender socialization
Hi everyone. About 3 weeks ago, my class and I learned about socialization, especially gender socialization. We watched 2 videos dealing with gender socialization, the first one dealing with boys and the second for girls. The first video is called "A Call to Men" by Tony Porter. In the video, he said that growing up as a boy he had to be tough, strong, courageous, and show no emotions. This example was not just for him, but boys in general. He described what the socialization of man is which he also called the "Man Box". Inside the "Man Box" was a list of what men should and/or should not do with examples such as:
1. don't cry or openly express emotions, 2. do not be "like a woman", 3. protector, and 4. view women as property/objects. He talked about his kids named Kendall and Jadyn. When his daughter would cry he would comfort his daughter and tell her everything would be alright. But, if his son would cry or be emotional, he would tell his son not to cry and to go to his room until he calmed down. He also talked about his brother who died when he was a teenager. After the funeral inside the limousine and after the women went out, his father cried to him and it was the first time he saw his father cry. A father is not supposed to bury his child, but a child is supposed to bury his parent(s).
As a son, I don't remember my father telling me not to cry or not express emotion. As a father, I will tell my son that it's ok to express how he feels. As a man, I too have cried or shed tears when watching Pearl Harbor, Titanic, and other movies which I enjoy. Just because a man will express how he feels, doesn't mean he's a wuss. I believe it's ok for men to get in touch with their feminine side as some would say. Tony Porter also said near the end of the video: it's ok not to be dominating, it's ok to have feelings and emotions, and it's ok to have women as just friends. He asked a 9 year old boy what he felt about the "man box" and the boy told him that he would be "free" if he didn't have to adhere to this "man box".
In the second video, "Killing Us Softly", by Jean Kilbourne, she said that advertising was $20 billion in 1979 and grew to $180 billion by 1999. We spend 3 years of our life watching television commercials. "Advertising tells us who we are and who we should be." She also said that advertising sells values, images, success, and normalcy. Advertising affects us all but mostly women. Advertising is a form of stereotyping. It tells women that if they are not beautiful, thin, rich or successful it's because women are not trying hard enough. No matter how hard women try, they have a disadvantage because they are women. Society has showed us this even in the past. Jean said that "the images in our lives affect the reality of our lives." Because of what society and advertising is teaching us how women should look, women go from being a subject to being an object. Advertising is using sex to sell products.
Gender socialization doesn't only affect grownups but children as well. There are toys that are made for boys and girls, and not just toys but clothing as well. No matter if we're a man or woman, boy or girl, it's ok to be emotional. People tend to care what others think of them. I told myself, "I don't care what others think of me". It's hard to ignore what others think of you. Jean Kilbourne put it best in her last remarks when she said, "What's at stake for all of us is our ability to have authentic and freely chosen lives."
1. don't cry or openly express emotions, 2. do not be "like a woman", 3. protector, and 4. view women as property/objects. He talked about his kids named Kendall and Jadyn. When his daughter would cry he would comfort his daughter and tell her everything would be alright. But, if his son would cry or be emotional, he would tell his son not to cry and to go to his room until he calmed down. He also talked about his brother who died when he was a teenager. After the funeral inside the limousine and after the women went out, his father cried to him and it was the first time he saw his father cry. A father is not supposed to bury his child, but a child is supposed to bury his parent(s).
As a son, I don't remember my father telling me not to cry or not express emotion. As a father, I will tell my son that it's ok to express how he feels. As a man, I too have cried or shed tears when watching Pearl Harbor, Titanic, and other movies which I enjoy. Just because a man will express how he feels, doesn't mean he's a wuss. I believe it's ok for men to get in touch with their feminine side as some would say. Tony Porter also said near the end of the video: it's ok not to be dominating, it's ok to have feelings and emotions, and it's ok to have women as just friends. He asked a 9 year old boy what he felt about the "man box" and the boy told him that he would be "free" if he didn't have to adhere to this "man box".
In the second video, "Killing Us Softly", by Jean Kilbourne, she said that advertising was $20 billion in 1979 and grew to $180 billion by 1999. We spend 3 years of our life watching television commercials. "Advertising tells us who we are and who we should be." She also said that advertising sells values, images, success, and normalcy. Advertising affects us all but mostly women. Advertising is a form of stereotyping. It tells women that if they are not beautiful, thin, rich or successful it's because women are not trying hard enough. No matter how hard women try, they have a disadvantage because they are women. Society has showed us this even in the past. Jean said that "the images in our lives affect the reality of our lives." Because of what society and advertising is teaching us how women should look, women go from being a subject to being an object. Advertising is using sex to sell products.
Gender socialization doesn't only affect grownups but children as well. There are toys that are made for boys and girls, and not just toys but clothing as well. No matter if we're a man or woman, boy or girl, it's ok to be emotional. People tend to care what others think of them. I told myself, "I don't care what others think of me". It's hard to ignore what others think of you. Jean Kilbourne put it best in her last remarks when she said, "What's at stake for all of us is our ability to have authentic and freely chosen lives."
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Society
Society..what does society mean? Society is a large social grouping sharing the same geographical territory and subject to the same political authority. We all live in a society, mine happens to be in a diverse culture. I see people around me from different parts of the world. Although we are from different places, we are under the same rules and laws. Before I took Sociology class, I never really thought about what society is.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Silence...
Silence.. Silence can be good at times and bad at other times. Silence is good when you are at church or during a prayer. It is also good when you are at the movies and you don't want to hear other people talking while you're watching a movie and also in a library. Silence can be bad when you're on a date. I have experienced an awkward silence. When I was in elementary I did something embarrassing and the whole room was quiet for a while. I believe people talk not to fill the air with words but to help express what they feel. It is better to express yourself in words than in action.
Before I moved to New York, I was not really aware or noticed those around me. I was living in a community of mostly white people. Now that I live in New York, I am surrounded by people all over the world and I can experience different types of cultures and food. I also hear different languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Mandarin, Tagalog, and also Greek including many more.
Before I moved to New York, I was not really aware or noticed those around me. I was living in a community of mostly white people. Now that I live in New York, I am surrounded by people all over the world and I can experience different types of cultures and food. I also hear different languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Mandarin, Tagalog, and also Greek including many more.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Who Am I?
Who am I? I am just a man who is trying his best to support his family. I am no saint but I'm not a devil either. My family and God made me who I am today. I heard someone once say, " Don't live in the past, you're living in the present." You don't have to live in the past, but the past also makes us who we are today. What happened in the past made me stronger. One of the biggest influences in my life is my mom. Although I don't agree with her sometimes, I still love her. My mother basically raised my siblings and I even though our dad was still with us as we grew up.
The other influence in my life is Jesus. I was brought up going to church every Sunday and participated in some events and also went to Sunday School. Lately, I haven't been reading the Bible and I know I should continue to. I get upset when I am driving and there are others around me especially in front of me who don't know how to drive like the taxi drivers. Most of the taxi drivers just cut you and they don't even signal. I mean, why did they make the turn signal in the car if they don't use it and we're not even supposed to use our horn in most parts of the city even if they almost hit us.
The last influences in my life is my wife and son. If my wife didn't get pregnant when she did, I would probably not have gone back to school to finish my education. My wife keeps encouraging me and asks me if I'm ok. My goal right now is to complete my education and get an RN degree. I want to make sure my family doesn't have to worry financially. This is what makes me who I am.
The other influence in my life is Jesus. I was brought up going to church every Sunday and participated in some events and also went to Sunday School. Lately, I haven't been reading the Bible and I know I should continue to. I get upset when I am driving and there are others around me especially in front of me who don't know how to drive like the taxi drivers. Most of the taxi drivers just cut you and they don't even signal. I mean, why did they make the turn signal in the car if they don't use it and we're not even supposed to use our horn in most parts of the city even if they almost hit us.
The last influences in my life is my wife and son. If my wife didn't get pregnant when she did, I would probably not have gone back to school to finish my education. My wife keeps encouraging me and asks me if I'm ok. My goal right now is to complete my education and get an RN degree. I want to make sure my family doesn't have to worry financially. This is what makes me who I am.
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