Sociology and Me
Through sociology I have learned many ways to examine my life, and the different ways in which I identify myself. There are many factors that have affected who I am; social class, gender, and aspects of my family. Looking at what has influenced my growing up also helps paint a better picture as to who I hope to be, as well as how I want my life to look. For example, the job I want and the family I would like to have.
Inequality
Growing up, my family was part of what is considered America’s lower class. While there are situations much worse than what my mother and I had, we were nowhere near middle class. My mother and I were both on Medicaid health insurance, and under food stamps. We had housing assistance that handled most …show more content…
For example, people often date those in the same social class, faith, and racial group. It is very often that couples have other things in common, such as education, careers or hobbies.
Though I am not married, I have been in a long-term committed relationship for several years now and my partner and I relate to each other in many of these situations. When we met in high school we were both at the same level of education, with him being only a year older than me. We are both non religious, and share the same hobbies as well as several friend groups. My partner and I also have similar economic backgrounds, though he was and still is a bit better off than I am financially.
However, if I do not end up marrying my current partner, I am sure that these factors will influence who I end up with. This person will probably align with these examples even more so. Perhaps someone with the same education level as I am now, maybe even someone I meet through work as most people end up dating coworkers or those whom they see often through other activities. This can be related to endogamy, or having to select your partner within a group, because it is shown that people often date those that they are around often. This to me seems to trump the romantic cliché in which an attractive stranger comes from nowhere and sweeps you off your …show more content…
When my brother was around six, he and my mother lived in my grandmother’s previous house, which was quite expansive. My Uncle Chuck and his wife lived with her two daughters in the very large attic, but because it was much like an apartment, no one saw them much. My Uncle Greg and Aunt Vicky had the second floor to themselves and their two sons. My mother and grandmother were on the first floor, and my brother’s bedroom was in the basement. My mom, and both uncles worked full-time jobs, and my Aunt Vicky worked part time. My Grandma Margaret cleaned most of the house while everyone was out, and her and Vicky would take turns on watching the kids when they got home from school. Once the adults made it home in the evening, my mom kept the boys occupied while my grandma and Vicky made dinner while Greg watched the television. The kids had some chores, but not many as most cleaning was taken care of by my grandma.
I always find it interesting how different my childhood was from my brothers. He got to spend time with his cousins and spent time with the rest of the family on a daily basis whereas I only saw my extended family for special occasions. Childcare was handled quite similarly, as my grandmother was my babysitter just like she was for the
Through sociology I have learned many ways to examine my life, and the different ways in which I identify myself. There are many factors that have affected who I am; social class, gender, and aspects of my family. Looking at what has influenced my growing up also helps paint a better picture as to who I hope to be, as well as how I want my life to look. For example, the job I want and the family I would like to have.
Inequality
Growing up, my family was part of what is considered America’s lower class. While there are situations much worse than what my mother and I had, we were nowhere near middle class. My mother and I were both on Medicaid health insurance, and under food stamps. We had housing assistance that handled most …show more content…
For example, people often date those in the same social class, faith, and racial group. It is very often that couples have other things in common, such as education, careers or hobbies.
Though I am not married, I have been in a long-term committed relationship for several years now and my partner and I relate to each other in many of these situations. When we met in high school we were both at the same level of education, with him being only a year older than me. We are both non religious, and share the same hobbies as well as several friend groups. My partner and I also have similar economic backgrounds, though he was and still is a bit better off than I am financially.
However, if I do not end up marrying my current partner, I am sure that these factors will influence who I end up with. This person will probably align with these examples even more so. Perhaps someone with the same education level as I am now, maybe even someone I meet through work as most people end up dating coworkers or those whom they see often through other activities. This can be related to endogamy, or having to select your partner within a group, because it is shown that people often date those that they are around often. This to me seems to trump the romantic cliché in which an attractive stranger comes from nowhere and sweeps you off your …show more content…
When my brother was around six, he and my mother lived in my grandmother’s previous house, which was quite expansive. My Uncle Chuck and his wife lived with her two daughters in the very large attic, but because it was much like an apartment, no one saw them much. My Uncle Greg and Aunt Vicky had the second floor to themselves and their two sons. My mother and grandmother were on the first floor, and my brother’s bedroom was in the basement. My mom, and both uncles worked full-time jobs, and my Aunt Vicky worked part time. My Grandma Margaret cleaned most of the house while everyone was out, and her and Vicky would take turns on watching the kids when they got home from school. Once the adults made it home in the evening, my mom kept the boys occupied while my grandma and Vicky made dinner while Greg watched the television. The kids had some chores, but not many as most cleaning was taken care of by my grandma.
I always find it interesting how different my childhood was from my brothers. He got to spend time with his cousins and spent time with the rest of the family on a daily basis whereas I only saw my extended family for special occasions. Childcare was handled quite similarly, as my grandmother was my babysitter just like she was for the