Essay On Social Construction

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Social Construction of Race
Social Construction
Social construction is understood in sociology as a theory of knowledge which examines and evaluates the development of communally constructed understandings of the universe that function to form the background for similar assumptions relating to reality. Social construction dictates that all aspects of the world are inexistent or they do not have meaning unless they are given meaning by the society. In this sense, the society dictates the important issues and it outlines the laws and regulations that help to govern the establishment of a community and the behaviors of people. With regards to race, social construction influenced the development of a negative perception that has developed through time, despite significant efforts to promote equality. The social …show more content…
During the older times, scientists attempted to determine different factors that led to the variations in skin color and how this related to the mental capabilities of individuals. As a result, scientists sought to categorize different races using the classification of organisms’ scheme. This scheme differentiated people from all parts of the world based on their continent of origin, their skin color, and their apparent characteristics and behavior. For example, individuals from America were referred to as americanus (Kolchin 157). They were considered to have red skin color and black hair. Additionally, their eyes were black and they were characterized by a scanty beard. Based on the scientists’ research, these individuals were considered to be obstinate and firm believers in their customs. In comparison, individuals from Europe were described as having blue eyes, long blonde hair, and white skin. With regards to their behavior, they were described as gentle, and conservative with regards to how they covered themselves and interacted with

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