Since sociologists don’t clearly state what sociology is, many people are not well informed. Donna Gaines researched the group suicide of Bergenfield in order to sufficiently explain why this event happened. To do this she investigated the history and lives of suburban teens by questioning those in the town (Gaines, 1990). She wanted to know the environment in which the children lived to get a better explanation. Mills suggests that the sociological imagination reveals how troubles.and issues are related and how individual troubles can be connected to public issues in a society in a period of history (Mills, 1959). A single suicide is considered a trouble but a suicide pact is considered a social issue. Gaines uses Mills’ interpretation when she looks at each individual trouble of the Bergenfield suicide in order to determine.the cause of the other suicides as a whole (Gaines, 1990). If the cause of one suicide can be found, then the cause of a cluster of suicides can be construed. Allan G. Johnson understands that the solution to collective issues are the solutions to individual troubles. He explains that social systems will not change.unless social and individual relationships change (Johnson, 1997). This is shown with the suicides; suicides will continue to exist until the children get out of their bad lives and environments (Gaines, 1990). These articles consider the topic of …show more content…
Traffic Deaths: Biggest Percent Jump in 50 years, the central idea of sociological imagination is discussed. Sociological imagination is used in everyday life to help understand the connections between individuals and society. When people understand this idea they can explore where they fit in in society. This allows us to grasp and form connections between history and biography. Individuals are able to observe how history affects their day-to-day lives. The intent of sociological imagination is to observe the bigger picture of the world; to distinguish personal troubles from public issues. In order to understand sociological imagination, one must identify what sociology is and what sociologists study. By doing so, one can fully grasp all the ideas of sociological imagination and learn to apply them to their own