The chapter on Differences in Theory Toolbox was extremely thought provoking and interesting to read. Although there are many differences in society, as well as within ourselves, we all have “social categories of recognition that define us within a certain social context” (TT 160). Whether that is our social class, gender, or sexual orientation, all of us share some characteristic that categorically labels us the same, while at the same time labels us so differently.
It has always been assumed that we live in a masculine world. The United States has always been male dominant and it is just now that women being equal to men are becoming acceptable or normal to those within the society we live. The characteristics of both male and female are constructed by the norms and values that society places on them. As society changes what is acceptable for both the male and female to act, the norms are easily changed to fit into what is “right now.” It is assumed that “Men are ‘like this,’ women are ‘like this’(TT,169),” because that is what we assume gender means. Things like gender, don’t already contain meanings, we as a society give the genders of male and female their own meaning that we have constructed to deem a fact or difference.
It was interesting to read about class and what those living in each particular class believed about their own class standing. Each class, lower, middle and upper had a different interpretation of what class meant. To the lower, class was defined by how much money you had, while in the upper class, class was defined by values, ideas and behavior. No one had a common belief for what divided the class system. “Class recognizes that society is stratified or divided into unequal groups” (TT, 189), but that does not mean that one member of a lower class could move into the upper class or vice-versa. Society is always changing and the idea of class should not define whom we are because of the inequalities that are placed upon it. To the lower class having success is what makes you upper class, but success is interpreted differently from everyone around the world.
Although we live in a time of equality you still see us [as women] living in a masculine world. Even during this era women are still subjected into these social subject positions. As women we are already presumed to be lumped into a certain category. Do you think this will eventually change? I believe during our lifetime this inequality will continue to be part of our gender 'class' rather we agree with it or not.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the chapter on differences was extremely thought provoking, but sadly none of the ideas, concepts, and topics mentioned were anything new. The differences talked about are the ones we first learned about before we even stepped one foot into a classroom. We are thought or exposed to differences before we can even understand what they are. I do agree that we as a society do construct meanings for things like gender, but what seems to happen after a while is we just assume that our self made definitions are right and should be set in stone for all of eternity. When it comes to the issue of class I really do believe that it shouldn’t define any one person and clearly it is the source of vast amounts of problems, and has been since its come into existence. I mean if you think about class struggles and inequalities are often major causes for wars and revolution. I think that the class issue is inevitable because it’s just a one of the concrete foundations of society and as much progress as there is in the world, it will remain a constant flaw with increasing gaps between its layers.
ReplyDelete