My Autobiography
"Sociological Imagination" by definition is "The ability to look beyond the individual as the cause for success and failure and see how one's society influences the outcome" (Think Sociology Carl 2011 p.4). In other words, blaming everything whether good or bad on society. I can only agree with this theory partially. Everyday, everyone of us is being influenced by someone or something. Whether it be by television, our friends, and family, our dealings at work and school etc. The difference is how we handle it and allow it to influence our decision making and how we interact with others. I have always prided myself on being a unique individual. However in the society that we live in I would be considered an "outcast". …show more content…
While most people look for ways to be noticed and to stand out I would rather try to blend in. The part that I would agree on with being influenced by society is in how I interact with others. Growing up I was a quiet and rather shy individual. I was small for my age and not considered "good looking". Being raised in a lower middle class household where my dad was a small farmer and my mom was of the stay at home variety. I was the youngest of three boys. Society would dictate that being the youngest I was the baby and would always be favored over the others. However this was far from the truth. My middle brother has a moderate form of autism. 35 years ago autism was a rare disease that did not get the attention and understanding as it does today. For anyone who doesn't know or understand this disease the movie "Rainman" starring Dustin Hoffman actually portrays a fairly accurate picture on how my brother was. I would definitely have to say that the way that I perceive …show more content…
He was only 2 years older than me. I was made fun of a lot in school because of what he has. Other children thought that my mother was on drugs or something. Coupling this situation with the fact that I was small and awkward did not make for a very easy childhood. These issues stunted my growth as a person. I will explain. My family would always use this "crutch" as an excuse not to do anything. Very rarely did we ever do anything I would consider fun. Vacations never happened. I had been to a movie theater just once or twice before I was 18. My family was always worried that he could "act up". Unfortunately, they never had taken him to a doctor to try to help him function better or to see if any kind of medication would be helpful to him. My dad did not like change. He farmed for his dad and then took it over until he passed away about 5 years ago of cancer. So growing up all I thought I would do was to go out and get a job and stay there until retirement. College seemed like a foreign land. I thought that was my place in society because I did not know any different. However, change happened. After working in a factory for a couple years (my brother has been there for 20 years now he is like my dad) I discovered more about myself. What my interests were, what I liked, what I disliked. I knew I wanted more. 15 years later I am proud to say "mission accomplished" . I am married with 4 children. Have a good career going working for the railroad
"Sociological Imagination" by definition is "The ability to look beyond the individual as the cause for success and failure and see how one's society influences the outcome" (Think Sociology Carl 2011 p.4). In other words, blaming everything whether good or bad on society. I can only agree with this theory partially. Everyday, everyone of us is being influenced by someone or something. Whether it be by television, our friends, and family, our dealings at work and school etc. The difference is how we handle it and allow it to influence our decision making and how we interact with others. I have always prided myself on being a unique individual. However in the society that we live in I would be considered an "outcast". …show more content…
While most people look for ways to be noticed and to stand out I would rather try to blend in. The part that I would agree on with being influenced by society is in how I interact with others. Growing up I was a quiet and rather shy individual. I was small for my age and not considered "good looking". Being raised in a lower middle class household where my dad was a small farmer and my mom was of the stay at home variety. I was the youngest of three boys. Society would dictate that being the youngest I was the baby and would always be favored over the others. However this was far from the truth. My middle brother has a moderate form of autism. 35 years ago autism was a rare disease that did not get the attention and understanding as it does today. For anyone who doesn't know or understand this disease the movie "Rainman" starring Dustin Hoffman actually portrays a fairly accurate picture on how my brother was. I would definitely have to say that the way that I perceive …show more content…
He was only 2 years older than me. I was made fun of a lot in school because of what he has. Other children thought that my mother was on drugs or something. Coupling this situation with the fact that I was small and awkward did not make for a very easy childhood. These issues stunted my growth as a person. I will explain. My family would always use this "crutch" as an excuse not to do anything. Very rarely did we ever do anything I would consider fun. Vacations never happened. I had been to a movie theater just once or twice before I was 18. My family was always worried that he could "act up". Unfortunately, they never had taken him to a doctor to try to help him function better or to see if any kind of medication would be helpful to him. My dad did not like change. He farmed for his dad and then took it over until he passed away about 5 years ago of cancer. So growing up all I thought I would do was to go out and get a job and stay there until retirement. College seemed like a foreign land. I thought that was my place in society because I did not know any different. However, change happened. After working in a factory for a couple years (my brother has been there for 20 years now he is like my dad) I discovered more about myself. What my interests were, what I liked, what I disliked. I knew I wanted more. 15 years later I am proud to say "mission accomplished" . I am married with 4 children. Have a good career going working for the railroad