Blog #8 & Extra Credit

     There are countless sources in which we learn about what is going on in our neighborhoods, towns, cities, state, country and even the world. Some of these sources are newspapers, magazines and of course the media. The media is arguably the most influential. One problem with the media, however, is that it does not cover everything fairly. It sometimes covers irrelevant topics such as celebrities and their marriages or pregnancies or even what they decided to wear. Another problem with the media is that it does not directly address an issue. For example, It would cover the topic of substance abuse but it would just mention how horrible the users are instead of discussing what leads them to start using in the first place.
     The United States is one of the richest countries, if not the richest, in the world. So how is it that there are so many homeless and poor people? In 2010 46.2 million people were in poverty. The poor are usually said to be in that situation because they choose to and they do not want to look for jobs. The media never mentions that society actually needs some poverty as discussed in an article by Herbert J. Gans titled "Positive Funvtions of the Undeserving Poor: Uses of the Underclass in America".
     When people hear "poor" they tend to think of people on the streets. Little do they know that poor can mean Making only a certain amount or having a low income per person in a household. In America, many people are stuggling to barely stay above the poverty line. They are usually addressed as The Working Class (people who are employed for wages especially for manual or industrial work). The working class practically takes up the unwanted jobs because they cannot find work elsewhere.
     The Middle Class (those who are between upper and working class) is a little more well off. They can afford somethings in order to live more comfortably than working class people. Their social ranking is also higher compared to the working class and the homeless along with the poor people.
     Those who fall under Upper Class (people of the highest status) are seen as holders of desirable positions in society. They have a major impact on where people fall regarding the social classes. They are said to be powerful enough to stop people from achieving a higher status. They can even make people fall down the social ladder.
     In a country where equality is so important, not much is being done to help those of lower status or poor/homeless people. In the video People Like Us: Social Class In America, people talk about how they do not want to mention what class they belong to because they do not want to acknowledge that such classes exist. In the Ted Talk Conference on Education, entrepreneuers give young people advice. A shocking statistic shows that 1 in 5 kids drop out of school. This also contributes to the overwhelming amount of people in poverty.

Deviance

     Deviance is any behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations, and its relationship to these questions of self and identity (Experience Sociology 191).  Now, who decides what is deviant? The norms that have been set. That goes to say that what is deviant in one society is not necessarily deviant in another. Another factor in determining what is deviant is reaction. If no one reacts to a violation, is it really deviant behavior?
     One example of deviance is public urination. Why is it considered deviant? It is considered deviant because it is not seen as a norm or "normal". You don't see people walking just urinating without people having a negative reaction. A reaction to this deviant behavior would be either getting a ticket by an officer or even being arrested.
     Another example is teenage parents. Teenage parents are highly looked down upon. The reactions people usually have are negative judgments, isolation from the teenager, and in some cases, even abandonment. They are seen as irresponsible, foolish, and even "loose". In the times of today, the age in which someone should be a parent is mid to late twenties. Anything other than that and the violator would be harshly judged. If younger, they are said to not educated enough to know the responsibilities of having a child. If older, they are seen as desperate and willing to have relations with anyone just to have a child.
     A third example is suicide. The first thing people assume is that the person was "crazy" or insane. They say things like that because it is against the norms and no one in their right mind would commit such an act.
     Those labeled as deviant have to deal with the stigma as well, or shame. In the case of suicide, the family has to deal with the stigma. The people violating the norms are treated as outsiders or outcasts.
     Another deviant act is prostitution. It is seen as a deviant act because society sees it in a dangerous and illegal light. The people who participate in prostitution are associated with drug users and pimps and so on. However, what if the context was that of Amsterdam? Prostitution has a different outlook. There is an organized setting that runs like any other business. They have front desks and receipts.
     A fifth example is abortion. Abortion has been extremely controversial for quite some time. It is the killing of an unborn baby, or the termination of a fetus. The arguments of both sides to this problem are recognizable. On one side you have people saying it is against the norm because it is the killing of a human being and people should face the consequences for such an act. On the other side, people say that it's a woman's choice since it is her body and the way she was impregnated could have been extremely traumatic.
     The last example is gang affiliation. People in gangs are seen as "trash". They are said to be uneducated, untalented, unworthy of a place in society, and they are seen as being lower than others.
     Labeling people as deviant can lead to secondary deviance. "Secondary deviance is behavior that is a response to the negative consequences of labeling" (Lemert 1951).
     Although deviance may be seen as a negative thing, it has its roles. The roles of deviance are: 1) It helps define group boundaries, 2) It helps create social solidarity and 3) It is a source of innovation. The first role helps identify those who are deviant and those who abide by the norms. The second role unites people in opposition to, or disapproval of, a shared enemy. The third role provides a source of creativity and innovation in social life.

The Truth Shall Set You Free!

"I live by my own rules", "No one tells me what to do", "I make my own choices", "I am free". Many of us think that we are our own person and that the decisions we make are our own. Many of the things we do are influenced by what we see. Whether it is on television, in newspapers, or advertisements through commercials or magazines. That is not to say that everything we do is entirely up to someone else. The power of advertisements is real and it does more than just getting people to buy products.

     In the Video “Killing Us Softly” (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Killing+Us+Softly+4+Film&view=detail&mid=064835CC3B97514F914A064835CC3B97514F914A&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR), Jean Kilbourne talks about the messages that advertisements are actually conveying. For nearly 35 minutes she displays these ads and goes on to depict them. She shows countless ads from health products, to alcohol. From applying cosmetics, to getting surgery. From women being “beautiful” models, to men showing their “dominance” over these women. These advertisements can be quite controversial.
     Kilbourne also mentions that some of these ads expose men, but that the message behind it is nowhere near as diminishing of them as they are of women. In fact, they do not diminish them at all. She in essence says that these ads encourage women to embrace their roles as just that... woman. She mentions that the ads continuously reinforce society’s view on men and women and how they should be treated.
     In the video by Tony Porter “A Call to Man” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td1PbsV6B80), he talks about what society expects from men and the effects or consequences of straying from this norm, being a man. He speaks about this “agenda” that men have to adhere to. This agenda is the Man Box or Man List. Some of the things on the list were “Do not show weakness or fear”, Aggression- dominance” and “Power control, especially over women”.  The one that stood out the most was “Do not be like a woman”. In this video, he talks about society’s expectations for boys and men.
     He also tells his audience how this affected him. He and his other friends all looked up to this older kid in the neighborhood. One day, the older kid called out to him (Anthony) and said “come upstairs”. Once there, the older kid asked Anthony if he wanted some. He goes on to say “I automatically knew what he meant. When asked if you wanted some, it could either mean drugs or sex”. Anthony was only twelve years old at the time. This just goes to show how early people, both male and female, fall victim to society’s views.
     Both Porter and Kilbourne talk about the roles that are given to men and women by society through socialization. In the text Experiencing Sociology, socialization is defined as the process through which people learn their culture’s basic norms, values, beliefs, and appropriate behaviors (137). We learn these things since birth through different social institutions such as the home, a religious organization, the work place and even through the government. Anything that teaches us about our culture is an agent of socialization. In the case of Kilbourne, it’s the countless advertisements. With Porter, it’s not so much the advertisements or the media, but his family and peer groups.
     There are many other accounts of this. In the article The Retro Wife by Lisa Miller, she talks about how women only get paid 77 cents on the male dollar. This already starts off showing women that they are “inferior”. In the article, she goes from being a hard working mother to depending on her husband’s income to be a full-time mother.
     In another article called Parents’ Socialization of Children by D. Terri Heath, we see that different cultures have different ways of bringing up their children. It talks about the different approaches that countries use. For example, China focuses on individuality while Japan focuses on obedience. Different countries have different cultures and different methods of socialization, though they are similar.

 From a very young age, boys are given "manly" toys such as GI Joe figures.

 

From a very young age, girls are given dolls such as Barbies and are expected to be like "her".

 

Power

     What is power and how does it affect our life? Why do we have more power than we might realize? How is understanding power essential for understanding inequality? The first step is defining power. According to David Croteau and William Hoynes, power is the ability to bring about an intended outcome, even when opposed by others. As human beings, we adhere to authority and obedience. In the video "The Milgram Experiment" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdb20gcc_Ns&feature=fvwrel), there are 12 individuals who have volunteered for a study. This study was to be performed independently and required the volunteers to shock a person who played the role of a student, every time they got an answer wrong. The voltage would be increased each time. At the end of the study 75% of the people completed the task even when told that the last several shocks were lethal. The remaining 25% decided not to continue because they felt it was not right. The others might have either not felt bad about it at all because the person who plays the authoritative position said it was fine, or they felt that because it was for science, they had an obligation.
     In an article named "Five Faces of Oppression" by Iris Young, we see how power affects our life. In many cases, if not all, power causes oppression. Ultimately, "oppression is when people reduce the potential for other people to be fully human" (Iris Young). The article talks about the different types of oppression which are: Exploitation, Marginalization, Powerlessness, Culture of Silence, and Culture Imperialism.
     Exploitation is the act of using people's labors to produce profit while not compensating them fairly. This is a huge issue today. Many believe that the pay they are receiving is not enough to even support a basic way of life. We see people fighting today to increase the minimum wage in order to have a better chance.
     Marginalization is the act of relegating or confining a group of people to a lower social standing or outer limit or edge of society. This is a process of exclusion. One might argue that a group that is a victim of marginalization, is the elderly. Many, if not most, are sent away to homes because their family does not want to deal with them or because they cannot afford to stay with them. They are even suggested (which I think is just a nicer way if saying "told") to retire at age 65 because they are either no longer healthy, productive, or bringing in profit as they used to. This can be controversial, which is why companies are no longer able to set a mandatory retirement age.
     The idea of Powerlessness is that the powerless cannot develop their capacity, lack of decision making power, and exposure to disrespectful treatment because of the lowered status. One group that can fit this criteria are the homeless. Some crimes if not many, are unsolved when regarding the homeless because of the lack of evidence/leads or for the fact that they are homeless and are not beneficial to society. The homeless are greatly oppressed and are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to getting a job.
     Culture of Silence occurs when people are so powerless that they do not even speak about their oppression. There was a time when women fell victim to this and could not even vote. Obviously today that has changed to some extent. There is still the issue of the glass ceiling.
     Culture Imperialism involves taking the culture of the ruling class and establishing it as the norm. Being that American culture is built on Judeo-Christian belief system, these beliefs are often "forced" upon us when we are born by our parents.
     Violence is the most obvious form of oppression. While Occupy Wall Street was said to be a nonviolent movement, we still had the police pepper spray people in the face or gas them and even beat them.
     

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

      As a Puerto Rican, my family has certain values. We believe that we must spend time with our friends and family. A way of doing this is by gathering together whether at indoors our outdoors and playing live music. Some people would play the instruments while others sing and dance.

      The Puerto Rican drums are one of the most valued tools to my family. It can be used to bring great joy and an amazing time. It is also used in certain cermonies and/or events. We enjoy playing them at birthday parties and even holidays.

      The Coqui, or tree frog, is accepted by the Puerto Rican society as the symbol of patriotism and the love for our homeland. For as long as I can remember, every time someone would bring up Puerto Rico, the first thing that would come to mind is the little frog.

     Puerto Ricans have many beliefs. One belief is that it should be self-governing. Because of this, it has the same three branches of government as the United States of America and has a democratic government. I am in agreement with this decision. I believe people should have a say who governs and they should play a part in society. One thing I do to exercise my rights in a democratic nation is vote. By voting, I have a say that others may agree with and get our point across.

     One of the most valued norms in Puerto Rico is getting an education. Children are highly encouraged to attend school and get a good education. My parents have always pushed us to get the education they could not have. I, as well as my two other brothers, have been blessed with the opportunity to attend both a private elementary and high school.

      As a Dominican, my dialect is different from other spanish speaking people. Dominicans are notoriously know for being very fast speakers. I sometimes catch myself speaking too fast and try to slow it down. Some people can sound quite clear when doing so but I on the other hand am not so fortunate.

     Dominicans also have many folkways. One of our customs is to always go out of our way to show guests or visitors a good time and give them a warm welcome. Whenever someone would visit, we always make sure they are comfortable. Even if I am not in the best of moods, if there is company over, I have this sense of obligation to make sure they have fun. In a way, it is like you have to show them that you appreciate their presence.

     Both Puerto Ricans and Dominicans can be somewhat ethnocentric. If you ask either one, the other would say they are better than the other. When I am with either friends or family, they would say that they are obviously better. One would think I might prefer one over the other, but the truth is, I value both just as much.

What Is Culture?

     In the times of today, some people might argue that kids and or teens have no sense of culture. They might even say that they act irrationally and do not hold any morals and are not beneficial to society. If asked what culture is, people might simply say "It's a way of life". However, culture is much more than just a way of life. It is a collection of values, beliefs, knowledge, norms, language, behaviors, and material objects shared by a people and socially transmitted from generation to generation. One cannot simply be "born" with culture; it is something that needs to be learned. If we neglect to learn the things that make up our culture then we will not be able to pass it on.
     I am both Puerto Rican and Dominican, so one could say I am rich in culture. Knowledge is important. You have to know where you come from. Some people might not even know the significance of their flag. The colors and shapes in the Dominican flag represent patriotism and national pride. The flag also has a large white cross. It symbolizes salvation. It splits the flag into four quarters, two red and two blue. The blue sections represent liberty, while the red sections represent the blood of the heroes who died to preserve it. As a Dominican, I am also Catholic. Nearly 95% of the population is Roman Catholic. This religion was introduced by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish missionaries. We also have a strict routine when it comes to eating. The main meal is served at midday and can last a couple of hours. The national dish is white rice and red beans. It is called La Bandera (The Flag) to remind people of the flag colors. Other meals include Sancocho which is a meat, plantain, and vegetable stew. Fish is also a much desired dish.
     The Puerto Rican flag is also a symbol. The one white star symbolizes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Blue triangle represents the three branches of government. The three red stripes stand for the blood that feed those branches of government and the two white stripes represent the rights of man and the freedom of the individual. As for religion, the population is predominantly catholic, but because the U.S occupation had brought a Protestant mission, nearly 30% of the population is now Protestant.
     These are all things that I would not have been able to know had I not been taught. It is crucial for kids to know where they are from and what their culture is. It is important that they pass it on to their future children and keep it alive. No matter after how many centuries, if one does not teach their children the culture, they will not know it.

"Association is not Causation "

     There are many statistics that "explain" many things such as what the chances are of something happening or how often it occurs. Some even tell you why things happen. There are many agents that cause these actions or prevent them from happening. One of the most common misonceptions is that drugs and alcohol cause violence. Richard J. Gelles and Mary M. Canavaugh wrote an article called Association is not Causation. Just because people who carry out violent acts do use these substances, it does not mean that it is caused by the drugs and alcohol.
    I believe that drugs and alcohol do play a significant role in causing someone to be violent. whether it's the leading cause or not, it doesn't really matter. If it were, there would be a stricter control on the circulation of drugs and alcohol. However, people should not wait until something gets out of hand before they take the neccessary action against it.

Who Am I?

     When asked "who are you?" I usually reply with saying my name, age and where I'm from. However, I believe this occasion calls for a deeper answer. I'm more than someone just named Aaron. I am someone with a vision, a dream, a calling... I'm someone who handles things rationally and logically. I have a need to make sure things are running smoothly and systematically. I respect both laws and traditions and have a clear set of standards and beliefs. If presented with a task, I can come up with a plan to complete it successfully. I am also very straight forward and honest. I like interacting with people and participating in activities that are focused on the family, community, and work. Sometimes I can get so caught up with answering everything with logic that I unwillingly hurt people's feelings when they seek a more sensitive and emotional approach. I put a lot of effort in everything I do, whether it is my job or something in the community. I also like to think that I'm practical, realistic, and dependable.
     One of the biggest influences in my life is my middle brother. He and I have so many things in common. We share the same interests such as favorite movies, hobbies, outlook on life, and the same desire to help protect and serve people. We graduated from the same elementary and high school. Just recently he joined the police force. That has been my goal for quite some time now.
     Some of my goals are to graduate from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with my four-year degree in criminal justice, move down to North Carolina, and join the police force. I believe that is my calling in life. I believe I'm going to live out the American dream. I'm going to have a wife and three kids, and live in a beautiful home with a pet. However, just like everything else in life, I'm going to have to work really hard to accomplish my goals and live out my dream.
     Growing up I was like most kids wanting to be a professional athlete and make millions of dollars. As I grew older and matured and saw the things that I did out in the streets and in my neighborhood, I came to the realization that the innocent little dream I had was just that, a dream. As I lost more and more of my friends and people of my neighborhood, I thought to myself that something had to be done. I believe it was at the age of fourteen that I decided that I wanted to join law enforcement and help those being victimized and those that cannot help themselves and are defenseless. Although being a police officer can help, as a person who thinks rationally and logically, I understand that some people are still going to die unfortunately. Whether it be from gang violence, suicide, old age, a heart attack, or anything else, death is a part of life. It is impossible to save everyone from death. Just as we come into this world, we must leave it. We have to understand the nature of life although some might not agree with it.