Coming from a poor, or a low income family usually means that their education options are limited to public schools whose resources are limited. Even if a student does well academically, often they will miss out on getting into a top college because the resources available to them that would help them get there are limited. On the flip side, students who come from wealthy families often have college funds that their parents have put aside for them. Because of this, they are able to attend the more expensive colleges. In the United States employers tend to value employees who have been educated at top universities. This is because the standards at these universities are remarkably higher, and the level of training more intense. Thus, students who have graduated from top universities are seen as more capable as those who haven’t.
What are the dangers of prejudice?
Those who are victims of prejudice are not seen as equal human beings with equal rights in comparison to those who are victimizing them. They are seen as charactertures of the stereotype placed upon them, and will often face bullying, and loss of because of it. In addition to this, those suffering from prejudice often find themselves having to live up to expectations, and fight against the stereotype of assumption made about them in order to achieve their goals.
Americans can be anything they want to be, if they just work hard enough. Sociologically, explain why this is true or false.
Sociologically this statement is false because its pretense suggests that all Americans have access to the same opportunities, therefore it is not a matter of class structure or income status, it is a matter of being a hard worker of being lazy. The fact is social stratification is a reality and not all Americans have the ability to work hard, because their opportunities to do so are limited.
Fully explain how, and why, the lower classes are not only needed, but are purposely, kept at the bottom of a society’s stratification.
The social class that make the rules, and hold government positions are the wealthy. Essentially they hold all the power, and they purposely keep the lower class at the bottom of the scale, because they wish to protect their way of life and their status of power. Often they will pass their wealthy status down to the children who in turn protect their status by keeping the lower classes at the bottom. This is classed as institutionalized discrimination.
Explain how deviant behavior can cause positive change within a society.
Functionalist theory states that deviant behavior is not necessarily a good thing but a necessary thing in society, and without it society would collapse. This is because deviant behavior leads us to challenge out accepted social rules and norms. It allows us to see what is working, and what needs overhauling.
Example how negative and positive sanctions are used to encourage, and sometimes force, others to conform.
A sanction is a penalty for breaking the law; therefore they are used to demonstrate the level of consequence one might face if they break the law. This can be used to force individuals in a society to conform to the social rule.
Explain what corporate welfare is, and why would it rarely be covered in the news when major news outlets are privately owned corporations?
Corporate welfare is tax breaks that are given to large corporations by the government. It would be rarely covered in the news, because this type of government help usually creates public outrage as it favors the wealthy social class and inhibits the poor.
During the Vietnam War, the US was full of protestors. They carried signs, made speeches, and did everything they could to call attention to their message that both the government and he war were horribly wrong. This created conflict within the United States, with the American people choosing sides. This behavior would be called, deviant by sociological standards. Using the functionalist theory explain the protestors role in society and what might be caused as a final result.
The protestor’s role is to create social change by way of rebellion. The end result would be that societal norms and rule would be changed as the result of the public outrage.
What part do immigrant workers play in the United States? What are the consequences for the US when they do, and do not work?
When immigrant workers do not work they are seen by society as not adhering to the common value system, thus putting a strain on the US welfare system. However, when they do work societies sees them as individuals who are taking jobs away from non immigrant workers, which also puts a strain on the economic system
10. How has the Columbus assignment affected how you feel about;
a. The educational system.
I believe that the educational system has left out some important details in regards to Columbus.
b. Your socialization.
The assignment changed my perceptions of society. As a result I view our customs, norms and perceptions in a new light.
c. The socialization you will give your children.
I will get them to conduct their own research into what they learn in school.
d. Sociology as a way of thinking.
The assignment allowed me to see Columbus from a sociological point of view, and thus has me looking a history in a more sociological way.
