Mary Douglas Grid-Group Theory Analysis

Mary Douglas’ grid-group theory proposes that there are only five social groups. The first group, fatalism, represents a high grid and low group and a society that feels powerless. Fatalists believe that their futures have been predetermined and accept that there is nothing they can do to change it. Second, hierarchy, high grid and high group, is a group that cooperates with one another under a set of rules and procedures they must follow. Thirdly, Individualism, low grid and low group, is a group of individuals who can rely on themselves and immediate family and are entitled to their own beliefs. The fourth group is egalitarian. A low grid and high group, is a society that treats its members equally and are all involved in decision making. …show more content…
These theories focus on structures within the family, leadership and representation. Two theories that are used to this day are Mary Douglas’s grid-group theory, and George Lakoff’s moral politics. These two are similar in that some groups have strong bonds, and some groups have weak bonds. Liberal families are nurturing families who respect each other out of love and are allowed to have their own ideas or feelings. These families are considered to have strong bonds. On the other hand, conservative families are strict families who respect each other out of fear. They are forced to belief what their families believe and seldom do they try to stray away from those ideals. Douglas’s grid-group theory can be found within Lakoff’s moral politics due to the close examination of structure, whether it be a family or a …show more content…
I found an incredible amount of validity in Lakoff’s moral politics theory because I never understood why there is such a disconnect between liberals and conservatives. We are one nation and I assumed being under the same flag and administration, we could all accept what is happening. If I had to be categorized into only one of two political views, I would be liberal. However, there are some issues I find with liberalism. I believe that people should work to pay their living expenses, but the government should assist when necessary. People should not receive government assistance if they cannot pass a drug test, they should not be able to cheat the system and they should be forced to get back on their feet and only receive assistance for so long. I do not personally support abortions, but I understand the necessity for them, and I respect those who have to make the tough choice. I strongly believe that if alcohol and cigarettes are legal, marijuana also should be. It has shown to alleviate pain and is certainly healthier than alcohol or tobacco. In states with legalized marijuana, the money goes right back into their governments and go towards education. Above all, I believe that education is the most important service that our government provides to us. College and student loans should not be unobtainable to all citizens. Most jobs require degrees and some families cannot afford to put their children through college. This deeply