Adolescence and Status!

Welcome all adolescents! What is adolescence and why does our society treat this ambiguously defined age grouping the way it does???

All societies/cultures socialize in their own ways. Our Western/American culture really puts folks your age in an awkward predicament, part kid, part adult, and no clear definitions by anyone!!!

So spend some time this weekend thinking about one or another of these things.
1. Conflict/Confusion created by being defined as an adolescent. The first two articles you read about Adolescence presented the idea that your society puts you in a very chaotic state of being because you are not given adult status yet you are an adult biologically in many ways. On top of that there are some things you are given the opportunity to have adult status (driving) yet not many others (drinking). Contemplate the struggles this creates for teenagers and other examples of the same thing.
2. Status Power. Read the article in the packet, Freeks, Geeks,....etc. Think about and then blog about examples of how Status Power consumes the lives of teenagers/adolescents around you on a daily basis. What impact does this have on the development of teens into adults? Does it have to be this way?

Have a great Halloween!

Socialization Blog 1 (3rd blog of the 2nd 6 weeks)

Hey socio-ers,

Here are some good first blog topics with socialization:
After our discussion about Nature and Nurture and the growing man metaphor, I hope we are comfortable with the idea that Nature provides us with an aptitude, and nature either reinforces those aptitudes or leads us away from them. (Just think about that poor feral girl Danielle from the Oprah show and how far nurture took her away from whatever human/social aptitudes she might have!)
As for you go ahead and address these topics -
How are you like your family? Long time friends?
When did your parents first realize you had a unique personality and what were the "signs" they saw? (Go ahead ask them!)
What are some habits/attitudes/etc that you do not want to be like your P's? Do you think it will be possible to work against both nature and nurture and to be different???

After the in-class reading on Thursday about AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION please identify what have been the most significant people or groups (besides family) that have affected your self-concept, attitudes, behaviors, or other orientations toward life. Once you identify one or more groups, besides Family, explain how/what influences they have had.

Have fun and be good with your substitute!

Blog #2: See the Water!

We are wrapping up our culture unit and it is time for you to do a blog on it! Remember the water metaphor and our goal of being able to see our culture and the influence it has on others and ourselves. The metaphor was that culture is like water to a fish, it is absolutely essential and it permeates every single moment and action of a fish, but it is probably something a fish never ever sees or thinks about. Just as your culture permeates your thoughts and actions without you or others realizing it! Well our goal was to identify our culture and recognize how it impacts you. Go ahead and do the following blog and show me what you have learned!

SEE THE WATER & LEARN HOW TO SWIM HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

Unit 2, Culture Blog:
Special Blog worth 20 points due end of day Friday, 10/16. You may turn it in typed or post as a blog.


Please write on all of the following topics utilizing the information and concepts we learned from our readings, presentations, and the Tuesday’s with Morrie video.

1. Give a new and unique example of “Water” in your life. In other words, water is our culture and the way it affects your behaviors. Please identify a way we have not already discussed or read about that your culture is influencing you.

2. How do you navigate the water all around you? How do you behaviorally adjust to the cultural forces going on around you? An example with description.

3. Values – what American values do you embrace and what values do/might you creatively adjust to find your own happiness? (2 examples each) Describe how you “creatively” adjust values (or think you might in the future) of society to find your own happiness in life now or in the future.

New Blog for a New 6 Weeks!

Blog one for this six weeks!!!

You have a couple of options.....
1. Is the infatilization of adults (and even teens) in society....see the blog below. Please look at how either our macro culture infantilizes or even look at our more immediate cultural world of Stevenson society infantilizes. Give some real-life examples and let your sociological imagination explain how they are examples of infantilization!
****If you did that as your 5th and last journal for last 6 weeks then go ahead and give this other one a shot!
2. 5 Examples of how our Stevenson subculture interacts with the larger cultural values of America. You pick how you distribute your 5 examples, they can be how Stevenson conforms to the larger values, rebels against the larger values, or actually has created unique independent values. Regardless of that, make sure you identify the example and the value it correlates to, and why you think it exists in our local cutlure the way it does!!!

Have fun....and great job on the "nothing" activities!