A personal experience
A personal experience
INTRODUCTION
It is seen that people like to create groups in the name of beliefs, choices, likes and dislikes, religion and other factors to create their own social group in the name of social stratification (Barker, Page 436). And most of the times, people who are in so-called higher level of this stratification disrespect those who belong to the lower level of stratification. It is not only unethical but illogical too- dividing people in groups and sub-groups for merely socio-economic differences. But I personally believe that the negative effects of social stratification can be avoided if one believes in social equality and that belief gets reflected through an impartial behaviour with others. I have been to Malaysia for studies from Saudi Arabia. Then, I came to United States and studied for one year at Philadelphia. After that, I started studying at Frostburg.
My experience has been very diverse being a student in three countries including my homeland.
But I never felt any negative repercussion of the social stratification. This essay aims at illuminating how I lived in three different nations without falling victim to social stratification through one characteristic in behaviour- a healthy and honest attitude towards others.
AFTER HIGH-SCHOOL IN MALAYSIA
When I got eighteen years old, I was still in high school in my country. I would not say that
I had not seen cases of social stratification by that time. It always exists. Students who belonged to a particular nation, state or city always tend to spend more time together. The native English speakers for obvious reasons were more comfortable in talking to other native English speakers. And above all, people who have had same set of hobbies and interests wanted to stay together. Not necessarily this stratification had a ‘racist’ intention but it did exist for one reason- ease in communicating. However, I chose to be easy to communicate with. Hence, I had friends from different social groups and we shared a great bond. I went to Malaysia Kuala Lumpur for 3 months to study after high school. And needless to say, I made several friends belonging to different countries. All I intend to do was to have a great time with them, without emphasising on our differences. When I returned back to Saudi Arabia, I did miss them. No social stratification could make our bond weak because I wanted to celebrate the diversity without disrupting the unity between us.
THE PHASE AT PHILADELPHIA
In November 2012, I came to United States. I was told back home by many friends that the people at U.S do not approve of people from Arabia usually. I even saw how certain social or religious groups like Jews and Muslims were looked down upon as ‘unfriendly’ by some American students. I also experienced certain incidents where Arabians and Muslims were taunted at for being terrorists. Hence, most Muslim students used to stay in a group.
As in my case, I did not ever show that fear on my face that I would be misunderstood by others. Often those who are victim to the negative effects of social stratification feel unconfident about themselves and about whether they would fit in the new society or not. This makes the people around that person conscious. I never did that while I lived in Philadelphia for almost
a year to study English. I behaved and greeted others normally. Be it in classroom or outside, I was happy about my new life, felt positive and that optimism was perceived by people around me. Hence, I made great friends and enjoyed my time among students of different nationalities, especially American. I learnt one thing clearly- if a person who is new to a social circle keeps behaving or feeling that he would not be accepted by others and hence, looks either nervous or alienated, he actually never becomes a part of the new social circle. So, it is better to act normal and feel positive so that no one is misled by your nervous and tense demeanour.
CURRENT STAY AT FROSTBURG
After Philadelphia, I shifted to Frostburg to study further. I am 21 now and I have experienced a very amiable environment so far in United States. I have very nice friends from school; the teachers and local residents do make me feel at home by their behaviour and respect. It all begins from within us. When we respect others and behave normally with them, gradually they tend to see that there is no such thing as ‘social difference’ which should separate people from each other. I believe in behaving well, enjoying my time and respecting others. Hence, I have always made good friends and never felt any sort of negative stratification.
When one looks around it is easy to see how people make groups based on religion, nationality, language and choices. It is also evident how certain ‘higher’ social groups such as ‘rich’ try to disrespect the ‘poor’. Also, there is racism and apartheid which is all a part of negative stratification. I cannot deny that these social problems exist. When a person is not criminal or unethical in his/her intentions, he/she should never be treated badly by others. But all I want to convey is that when a person maintains a friendly and positive attitude towards others, sooner or later, people do take him to be a part of their social circle in spite of differences.
CONCLUSION
After all, we are humans and should socialise as a part of one society. The menial differences which people keep in mind- be it religion or financial status, these should never be taken that seriously as a dividing factor between people. But as stated in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph, a healthy and honest attitude towards others can help one stay away from negative repercussions of social stratifications. So, it is always good to behave normally and cheerfully with others- not over cheerfully too as that is a sign of forced endeavour to be a part of a social group. But, a little change in attitude can always help.
Works cited
- Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. Page 436 London: Sage.
