The Sociological Imagination
As demonstrated by Mills in chapter one of his book, The Sociological Imagination, we feel trapped and helpless because we do not understand the underlying cause of our problems. Though it can be taken that Mills insinuates that the society is the cause of our problems, I am opinionative that that our problems stem from the way we view the society. For instance, Mills asserts that when a there is only one divorce in the society, the source of the problem leading to the divorce essentially lies between the husband and the wife; this assumption is most likely correct because the divorce is only one. However, most people still blame themselves even when there are several other divorce cases in the society. Ideally, it is the understanding of the society that is much needed in order to end the constant problems that face society members and without this understanding society members cannot appreciate their place as society members, the place of the society in their lives.
The article on credit card scum which new college students are the main target presents an overly weighty issue in colleges today. It is true that most bank, not only the types of banks mentioned in the article, are always reluctant to disclose some of the most fundamental facts about their products and offers. Considering that credit worthiness- particularly because there are provisions in law that allow financial institutions to share information about their clients, current or previous- is extensively dependent on one’s ability to pay his or her bills and clear previous credits, it is a matter of considerable concern that if the trend (by the banks to lure unsuspecting students into taking their credits cards) is not checked, the society will end up being full of bankrupt, though educated, society members. However, by pointing out that there are efforts to improve this situation by the congress through the enactment of relevant laws, the author of the article gives hope of a better tomorrow for college students.
References
Mills, C. W. (2000). The sociological imagination (40th Anniv. ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
The College Credit Scam. (2007, August 27). The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2012, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/opinion/27mon2.html