Sociology as Essay - 640 Words

Examine the ways in which sociologists can contribute to our understanding of how social identity is shaped by gender. (24 marks) An identity is who we are, this is made up of how we see ourselves and how others see us. Social identity is based on ones membership to particular groups in society. This essay will examine the way in which sociologist contribute to our understanding by providing theories and ideas of how social identity is shaped by gender. Ann Oakley, a feminist sociologist suggested that there are four ways in which gender socialization takes place during primary socialization. These are manipulation, canalization, verbal appellations, and different activities. Manipulation is when parents encourage behaviour that is†¦show more content†¦Parents direct their child interest into certain behaviour according to their gender, for example when boys are younger they are encouraged to play football and be aggressive and they are discouraged from crying. And girls are encouraged to play with dolls and to look after their appearance. Feminists believe this is how an individuals social identity is shaped by gender. However post-modernists sociologists criticize the feminist theory. Post-modernists believe that due to social and economic changes, female role and identities are changing. The changes in the job market has led to a decline in traditional labour jobs that employed men and new jobs in the service sector are increasing. These jobs in the service sector are aimed at employing women. As women are going out to work their values are changing so female identities are changing. Similarly todays idea of masculinity is different, there are other types of masculinity today, and it is viewed differently. Bob Connell, a Post-modernist sociologist believed that men have become more in touch with their feminine side and there are now more househusbands and New men. A househusband is a man that is more involved at home. So the man would take care of the children, and does the chores as well. Also the fact that celebrities such as David Beckham, a male who is more concerned with his image, has led to men believing, this is how they should act and behave as well, it gives men something to lookShow MoreRelatedSocial, Sociology, And Sociology857 Words   |  4 Pagesindividuals who need that extra support. Social work as a subject area includes elements of psychology, law and sociology. Social policy is the study of various areas of policy, within political or governmental setting, and is concerned with everything from the welfare state, to social services. Social policy is an academic study of theory, rather than current policies and draws from psychology, sociology, philosophy, and economics. What A Levels do I need? Each university will ask for varying grades and tariffRead MoreSociology : The Function Of Sociology951 Words   |  4 PagesSociology Observation Essay Sociology is the study of development and functioning of humans in society, in other words how a person reacts in a certain situation. Although hard to understand, sociology has many important points that add into the development of someones personality, values, religion, education, etc. As Pierre Bourdieu once said â€Å"The function of sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden.† In this case, the social group that I had studied for 24 hours had manyRead MoreThe Basic Tools Of Sociology And Sociology1034 Words   |  5 PagesArgument: In this piece, Weber outlines the basic tools of sociology and distinguishes sociology as a social science. Weber’s main message in this piece is that that social sciences should be equivalent to natural sciences, and in order to do so, laws should be made within the field. Secondly, he wanted to bring history and sociology together with causal relationships, in doing so he would also analyze the individual’s social action. He mentions that action is only social when it is oriented to theRead MoreSociology1259 Words   |  6 PagesThe concept of sociology had been recognized by independent philosophers since the dawn of organized civilization. Philosophers such as Confucius and Xenophanes in their works had hinted at the clash of cultures and social hierarchy. Later, in the 14th century, Arab scholars such as Al Jahiz and Ibn Khalduns compliled books on the history of society itself. These works are known to be forerunners of sociology. In fact, books written by Ibn K haldun on social cohesion and conflict were translatedRead MoreSociology1447 Words   |  6 Pagescome to be called the labour process approach. †¢ Context for Braverman: ⠝‘ Braverman associated with Monthly Review journal – founded in 1949 by Paul Sweezy and Leo Huberman. An influential journal but little impact on American sociology. Best known product of this school is Baran and Sweezy’s Monopoly Capital (1966). Indeed, Braverman’s analysis of work is predicated theoretically upon Baran and Sweezy’s analysis of ‘Monopoly Capital’ [ie oligopolistic, ‘organized’ capitalism. Read MoreSociology1681 Words   |  7 Pagesfunctionalism) of social class .Following this, it will look at the changes of social class. Finally, it will discuss weather the class of Britain will be dead. Theories of social class There are three basic theories which can explain social class in the sociology history. Marxism was established by Karl Marx(1813-1883).Marx explained that a social class is a group of people who have common relationship to the means of production. For Marx (2008:26), society was characterizes by two social groups: bourgeoisieRead MoreSociology1711 Words   |  7 Pagestake away from this is that you don’t shape reality, culture shapes you and how you view reality. For people who don’t know what sociology is or had no idea what it was before entering the class as I did myself, it can be simply described as a study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. A way of understanding sociology can be done through your own sociological imagination. It would be a tool that provides many important perspectives on the worldRead MoreSociology : Sociology And Sociological Thinking978 Words   |  4 PagesSociology and sociological thinking are a vital part of society, and through examining both society and individuals, sociology is able to make changes to areas such as policies, and attitudes that may have usually negatively affected them, and instead gained a positive result through the careful research, and applied knowledge. Sociology is the study of groups and individuals and the cause and effects of each, to each other, and overall society. ‘Sociology is a technical and difficult subject andRead MoreSociology And The Theoretical Perspectives Of Sociology1710 Words   |  7 PagesSociology is seen every day in our lives as humans, it is the scientific study of human behavior and society. The idea of sociology has not been around forever. The term sociology comes from a man named Auguste Comte who takes credit for this study. Not only did Comte come up with this idea but there were several things that influenced the study of Sociology and how we view it today. These influences are called the origins of sociology and they include; new idea or discipline, Industrial RevolutionRead MoreSociology : Social Science And Sociology1386 Words   |  6 Pagesto the history of sociology, it was the nineteenth century that sociology emerged, with the word ‘ sociology ’ appeared in the Cours de ph ilosophie Positive Book 4[ Auguste Comte,1838 Cours de philosophie Positive] by Comte in 1838. The social forces, however, were complicated actually, which included both social, economical, cultural and even a little bit of political or religious elements. This essay explains these factors in the following part. 2.1 Social Science and Sociology The philosophes