Blog #10 Gender and Sexuality

Gender is defined in chapter 11 as "the socially constructed cultural expectation associated with woman and men." Expectations for a man is to be the provider when the woman's is usually the house wife to take care of the family. While sexuality is biological distinction between females and males. Such as body parts and visuals.People tend to have a gender identity when it comes down to it so that they know where they stand in society. While reading the article "Night Two his day" shows the difference in the roles in woman and male in society and how their gender effects their life from their career to their house hold.Then it relates to our appearance, activities, behaviors and emotions. Their is socialization in structural context that is happening since its not biologically based gender must be taught though socialization. The things we see in society dictates the why we will live owe life. Then we have this that have glass ceiling where jobs such as the president of the U.S.A has been men only. In the article it showed how boys relate to sports to be more manly such as foot ball is a all man sport consider a many sport its this identity we attract to what we do in life. Then Im sure some men and woman that are gay have more of a hard time living in society because of the execrations that they had to begin with are being subjected on to them. Then they are viewed different instead of being human being as well. Gender inequality and sexual identity is not concern for many early in life but it doesnt shape the way that theories based on gender happen.

blog #9 Race and Ethnicity

I     I have to say I under estimated the video "Race:The Power of Illusion" just really got my attention because it proves that race isn't a biologic. That we use visuals as in skin and characteristics to define people. While ethnicty is the cultural that is heritage to the people. As chapter 10 states that  "Minority groups may endure discrimination and social disadvantage due to racial or ethnic identity. Racial and ethnic classification systems affect patterns of social interaction and are often used to explain or legitimize social inequality."it is for these reasons that when i saw this movie and the project that was being taken place when the kids would test their D.N.A with other kids in their class and because of race the visuals the saw the thought their D.N.A would be same. When the test results came back it should that the predictions that they had were wrong and they had similartiers with people of different race. Their been times in history where these racial structure draw a minority groups and majority groups in to place. These are people that are suffering from disadvantages because of the lass power they have base about their race. Then this test happens and then its like who can u say is apart of your race when we are all mixed with a bit of each other. Then when we label different ethnicity's for having stigmas related to them things as drop out rates that is stated in the article "The Hispanic Dropout Mystery: A Staggering 30 percent leave school , far more than black or whites. why?" by Susan Headden showed how the dropout rate for latin has been raising. Then this becomes the prejudice and discrimination persist in contemporary social life in America. So after watching the video and reading this chapter and how race and ethnicity has shaped the way we view each other how would it be if we used text to figure who we where the most similar to and it would be based about skin color and visuals.

Extra credit work"TED"

The video, "Ted Talks Education", hosted by John Legend talks about the main focus that is the crisis of high school drop outs all while delivering powerful and persuasive short speeches about the importance of education. This video had my full attention since the first speaker. The ways in witch teachers can motive students by taken the bad to the good. The First Lady Rita Pierson spook about how she taught the best to the worst and it was interesting of she builded the motivation in her students by caring instead of teaching with out caring is any pass or fail. Each person that spoke at TED primary purpose was to share their ideas about why kids drop out of high school and what can be done to prevent that from recurring. Since I been a student all my life so far I know the different teaching that does work and doesn't.her ways of helping build confidence in her students I had teacher that done does and it worked the students had a better look on the work and passed because they understand it from a person that told them they will get it that they are going to get their by working and practicing. Their was other great speakers but I have to say she was the best to me.Bill Gates talked about how teachers deserve more and better resources to teacher children in schools.i use to go to a private school and their books where the same ones used for years their computers as out is date. Said to say when I passed 2 years later I went back and they had a whole new set up I saw teachers using smart boards to kids using iPods to works. Their is much important needed but I can see it happening

Blog #8 Inequality

Form the reading cause of death:inequality by Alejandro Reuss to the film "people like us:Social class in America proves detail looks on how inequality is the top cause of death. Inequality effects the lower class of society while those who are educated and the wealth aren't truthly effected. This happens because of lower class not being educated about different diseases that can kill them. The article cause of death states that the different parts of the world's poor people, men and women alike, are more prone to infectious disease and disease of the circulatory system unlike those in the United States.Even if people are poor in the United States; these people are having better health than ordinary people in poor country. For instance, An African American female’s age at 15 in Harlem had a 65% chance of surviving to age 65; it’s the same as women in India. It depends on incomes, how much resources they have to live everyday life."Men with less than 12 years of education are more than twice as likely to die of chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease), more than three times as likely to die as a result of injury, and nearly twice as likely to die of communicable diseases, compared to those with 13 or more years of education. This article opened my eyes to how the difference in education can effect one even to death its just to have knowledge about different causes of death can save your life.

The film "People like Us: Social Class in America goes hand and hand with this article because it gives an look at the different factors of social class. These social class are classified based on race and other factors, and Its produces social distinctions in our society.The film stated that America is a country divided by class, social distinction and is defined by where we live, what we eat, how we look, and education. Social class defined the inequalities in the class system. Theirs different factors that make up this social class that is present in chapter 9 like the working class is the middle class and their is structural mobility. That people who was at a lower class growing up may have became educated and has moved up in society. To me this articles define people in bad ways because of those who aren't educated may die before those who are in up class but yet theirs not looking at the Factera that make people get that lower class label. I believe as a society we all have to educated each other.

Blog Entry #7 Deviance and Social Control

      While reading Chapter 8 and the article "Positive Functions of the Underserving Poor: Uses of the Underclass in America" by Herbert J. Gans gives a clear idea of what is deviance and who labels actions to be deviant. Deviance is defined as behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations. What is ultimately defined as deviance depends on the social norms at the time. While reading I started to think of different deviant behavior that is in my neighborhood.

1: Street Crime- The street that I live on has had many shoot outs in the past years.  The adolescence doesn't view the gun play as crime but as a right of passage. I would hear them tell each other story about times in witch they shoot at the other guys from a block down as if it was normal. they don't take in to consideration that their acts can get some one kill they see it as they taking care of business.

2: Selling Drugs- Sad to say theirs more people that sell drugs then people that have career jobs around my way. Young kids that hang out with older men that sell drugs and they see it is the way they should live their life. Differential association theory this is because who they hang out with suggest that anthers deviance is learned through interactions with others involved with deviant behavior. Since it seems right to one person who they hang out with can pick up habits that is deviance but is accepted.

3: Homeless- This is another act that is view as deviance in society. People often give people who are homeless the stigma that they are lazy to find work, doesn't want to help their self, and living off the government. All to me to be labeling theory that is given to homeless with out finding out the true reason way that person is living on the street or is living off the government.

4: Using Drugs- This has to be the one prime deviant act that is done regularly with out being viewed as wrong. Young people in my generation has been known for smoking marijuana with out thinking that what they are doing is wrong. Secondary deviance is put on marijuana smokers because its seen wrong to begin with but in some parts of the U.S. its fine to smoke because of illness. Labeling people that smoke weed to all be bad is why secondary deviance happens because of the negative consequences of labeling.

5: Teen Parents- In the past 5 years i have seen teen parents face stigmas that what they are doing is wrong how they will not get though in life. I have friends that have kids and the first thought in my head when i found out was that they were not ready plus had nothing to show for it. But in different times i have been wrong for labeling because some have changed their life around since having a kid. I know young mothers that used their child as motivation when they didnt have any. I am not saying that having a kid at any age is fine but allow people to learn from their actions before criticizing them.

6: Medical illness- This may not be seen as deviant because one would think of the handicap. Then again think about the kids that have A.D.D or A.D.H.D. Kids that act up because of mental illness and they are consider medicalization of deviance. Their kids i see very day that is hyper to lazy because of medical reasons. They may not act the same as other kids so they are view as deviant.

Through out this whole reading I notice that different agents of social control that enforce the norms have the power to identify what deviant is. Then again they alway have the power to change the view on different deviance and make it a social norm. If we were to start changing norms and teaching the next generation proper ideas things as selling drugs can be looked down on instead of a way of life. Also kids wouldn't have to feel like they need to shoot some one for respect we can teach them to talk it out. As a community we have the power to direct the future and we together should think of the ways deviance is labeled so we can have a better Social Control.

Blog entry: 6 - Socialization

         Socialization- is the process through which people learn their culture's basic norms, values, beliefs, and appropriate behaviors. 

When reading chapter 6 and watching the videos and reading I started to feel more connected to this chapter then any before. This chapter deals with the socialization on how we operate with the social world. From when we are children we are shaped by family beliefs and social ideals. While growing up we change taken on new roles that is achieved status, student, employee, spouse, retiree. These different achievements are influenced by the society we choice to live in. Every one on the earth doesn't have the same values that other choice to but its then that when people become individuals we gain a sense of self by what we interact with inside of the society we live in. 

        The video "A call for Men, a video conference led by Tony Porter" that explain the "Man Box" This man box are the ways in witch men are expected to act. Social norms that are passed down in parenting. How men shouldn't cry to how men are the protectors in the family. But the most important role of all is to never act like a girl this show weakness. Agents of socialization plays a role in the thinking of how these beliefs come to place. "Family" as stated in chapter 6 is the "primary agent of early socialization." In the family young men learn from their fathers.  

         This video related back to the article "Parents Socialization of Children" since not all cultures base man to act in these norms. Different parenting technique is practice such as Authoritative, Permissive, Authoritarian, and parenting. These are different ways kids are raised around the world and though their society norms that is practice. As for the video "Killing Us Softy" is how woman are viewed in society. It is a very moving video on how woman are advertised through marketing, media, and ideals. While watching this video as a male I was being reminded the every witch way how society appropriate behavior effects woman. From the way they are judged about their appearance to their role in the family was being influenced on woman since childhood.

 

 

Power Blog entry#5

                                                        "The Milgram Experiment"


-This experiment was to test how people obedience to authority. Their was a professor that is seen as the authority. Then the teacher who also has legitimate power. Then the victim who is seen as the one receiving electric shocks. The goal was to see if random people had the power to say enough is enough and stop the experiment. then again the majority compliance establish power for the professor to control the experiment. Chapter 5 is express through this experiment for the following reasons:

1-Legitimate power- All teachers voluntarily accepted to be apart of the experiment.Thus giving them             the power to walk away or call a quite when they feel fit.

2-Expert power- Believing that the professor knows best since it will be seen as his field of expertise. He has power because he has superior knowledge about the power of each shock and how it will not be long term damage.

3-Power tactics- The professor used Manipulation, he would simple tell the teachers that they most continue the experiment. When they would ask if this may damage them he repeats no long damage will be held. He was able to have the teacher continue with out force.

4-Rational-legal authority- This to me is why the professor was seen right. People who hold the rank as professor, laser, doctor, has to be accepted by others. They are hard positions to gain so if some one does have it its because of knowledge.

5-Compliance- This has to be the main reason of power. The teacher go along with the experiment with hearing the victim saying "stop it, stop it, get me out of here i had enough" and keeps going. Plus when it went silence and the shock was given because of lack of no answer. If their was no compliance from the teacher and their have been no experiment.

-This experiment was very interesting to me. Learning how their is different ways power can be used. How obedience was so easily gained with out much action. Their is different factors that played in to this experiment but to me the biggest lesson learned is when to say No. Its is still hard to believe 9/12 teachers went all the way through with the experiment.
               
                                                             "Five faces of Oppression"by Iris young

  -Oppression being one of the traditional forms of power. Chapter 5 explains the way power is used in society. Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. Oppression can be found all through history."according to Iris Marian Young there are Five faces of oppression":

1- Exploitation- is the act of using people labor to produce profit while not compensating them fairly. African american was subject to this when they were slaves and didn't get payed or treated they way they should have through out their work.

2-Marginalization- is the act of relegating or confining a group of people to lower social standing or out limit or edge of society. this is just restricting people based on who is fit to live in society and who isn't. when we lock people up we are doing this we are telling them they are not able to live with society and keep them away from the communities.

3-Powerlessness- Some people "have" power while others "have-not".this goes two ways people can be powerless by having no power being poor. Then people can be powerless because they don't know or have the resource to make a difference.

4-Cultural Imperialism- involves taking the culture of ruling class and establishing it as the norm. Recently the Gay marriage is becoming something that was once never to be a norm to becoming a reglar. It was norm that men and woman are the ones that get married.

5-Voilence- is probably the most obvious and visible form oppression. Its simple force the power to control through fear. it control that been around since the begging of time.

  -This article gives a great look at oppression and to understand the levels of it. Chapter 5 is Power and to me oppression and power goes hand and hand. It shouldn't be used in my option because their are long side affects. People are miss treated because the dominant group sees fit.

Culture entry # 4

.1)  Popular Culture

                              

       

In Puerto Rico the types of music that are most common are Salsa and Reggeaton. I grew up listening to these types of music. My family would play both kinds but mostly salsa. One a group of singers who sang Salsa really well are a group called El Grand Combo. They are very famous till this day and they brought Puerto Rican Salsa to New York. Daddy Yankee is a well known Reggeaton artist that also brought reggeaton to the New York. Both arstist in their music have one thing in common that in there songs they talk about Puerto Rico and the life people have their and also their struggles. 

2.) Cultural Object

                                  

The Puerto Rican flag is a item that shows the people who share the same culture. It’s something that people carry around with them to show who they are or where theycome from or what they believe. It’s one of the most respected items that people cherish because since not every country has the same flag it shows that there not all the same.  

3.) Culture

               

In my family our culture varies like we follow both the old traditional cultures are well as we follow the more modern cultures. In my family the old traditional cultures are more like not having sex until your married. The man is charged of the house hold and it he has a son then the son follows in his foot steps. More modern culture is that we graduate from higschool and go to college.

4.) Culture lag

       

       

                      

The parties that my family had in Puerto Rico were real traditional. The music was hand played by my uncles and their instruments. Which sounded amazing and everyone loved it because my uncles would make up the music as the go, so it wouldn’t be something that everyone listens too. Now that times have changed and technology was advanced more; we aren’t as traditional like we were before because now nobody plays instruments. We just play the radio which made us loose a bit of our tradition.

6.) Language

    Growing up every summer I went to Puerto Rico the language that everyone mostly spoke was Spanish because that was the offical  language that people in Puerto Rico communicated with, and we had very few people who spoke English. Now it’s very different since now more people go to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico is a part of the United States now theire official languages are  Spanish, English as well. In fact now you have a lot more Puerto Ricans now speaking more English than Spanish.

 

8.) Norms

                             

      Going to church was one way of showing that my family and I were doing the right things. We went to church to pray and give thanks for what god had given us and from the all bad things that he has kept us from.

 

10.) Symbol

                                  

One of the many symbols that represents Puerto Rico is aCoqui. A coqui is a small frog that you can only find in Puerto Rico. I’ve seen many coquis in Puerto Rico for example I saw many of them in trees, leaves and grass. They are really small and they have a instinctive color that allows them to blend in with their habitat. I heard many legends of how a coqui became the animal that it is today. One legend was that a coqui was once a bird and because of a misfortune it lost its wings, but with the mercy of god it was acquired the ability to climb trees. Another was that acoqui was a disobedient child and was punished and turned into a frog and that’s why when you get near one its chant sounds like a child whistling.

Teenage Wasteland Entry #3

The article "Teenage Wasteland Suburbia's Dead End kids" by Donna Gaines is from her book where she tells the story of 4 kids that took their life. Kids labeled "Burnouts" failures, outcast, etc. that took their life because of the culture time they was living in. They was teens that didn't do good in school did drugs didn't fit in with society that saw committing suicide was a way out. While reading chapter 3 I connected Nonmaterial culture to the passage. It's these type of culture that its beliefs, knowledge, how to understand the Norms of society. These are things that are passed on to the next generation of kids and becomes a burden.
Chapter 3 is full of different elements of culture and after reading this passage I am culture shock. "Culture shock is the experience of being disoriented because of a lack of knowledge about unfamiliar social situations." This passage is a culture shock to me because i grow up in a urban environment so looking at a suburbia suicided makes me wonder how can. This happen when everyone would know each other. But for kids that grow up thinking that they need to live up to society norms get lost in the process. Then they are label failure and feel like its no hope so they turn killing them self ass a way out just shocks me. I wouldn't think a kid around where I live will see killing their self as a way out and would consider it if they feel like they was a burnout. Culture is alwas changing with the development of the society around it.

Entry #2 Chapter 2 reading - "Association is not Causation "

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Entry # 1: Who I Am

Entry # 1: “Who am I” 

To: Whom It Concern 

         

          Funny, outgoing, carrying these are things that come to mind when I’m asked to describe my self. Then I get stuck I’m from Harlem New York City and am Latin. No kids in BMCC for Criminal justice hopefully to become an ATF agent after more school. With my education in CRJ I would like to go back to California and be a feudal agent.

 I once lived in California when I was younger and got to experience a different way of life. Everything was more layback and I got to feel how it be to be living on my own. I had my own place with my brother I was working and had my own car. Every weekend there was something to do from bon fires to get together at each other’s house. I was sure that moving from New York to California was the best thing that happened but it was short lived. I went back one winter about a year later to see my family in the east coast when I was tricked in to staying.

         My parents didn’t like the freedom I had and thought that the path I was taking I wouldn’t go to college. Then my brother’s ex wife decided to always put me in between their marriage so then my parents thinking I was the cause of their fighting. I went from being on top of world to back to square one. I came back to New York for college and been here since. Now I believe everything happens for a reason. BMCC hasn’t been to bad for me coming back on short notice. I’m in my second year and enjoying it making the best out if it.