2-3-16
1. Have you ever held a low wage job?
No, I have never worked a low wage job, but, I can image that I’ll take one up part time after graduating high school.
2. Ehrenreich claims that most well off people in the Unite States are dependent on low-wage workers. What does she mean by this?
When Barbara Ehrenreich claims that most well off people in the US depend on low wage workers, she means that the privileged have a “well someone’s gotta do it” frame of mind. She means that low wage workers, such as waitresses, clerks, and sales associates, do the work that they see themself above doing. These higher class people rely on hard working lower class workers to do the work they don’t want to, hence their formed dependency.
3. How much of a chance do most people with jobs at Wendy's or Walmart have to enroll in college and work towards a different career.
I say it is entirely dependent on the motivation of the person. I understand that it can be difficult to go back to school after taking time off, but, if the person is maintaining this job as a stepping stone to help afford university, then they have a better chance than the cookie cutter unmotivated middle class person. If the person is motivated and determined to better their lives and graduate to higher education, but don’t have the resources to do so, getting a job and working towards their goal shows the promise that they have.
1. Can you think of a common stereotype of sociologists? What is it? After reading the box, do you still think it is valid?
One stereotype about sociologists I have repeatedly heard is that they are too bound by academic principles to appreciate real world practicalities. When I tell people that I am taking a sociology class, they often assume the sociologist teaching me will be an ancient “Marx-looking” behavioral analyst whose research and studies are impractical. Through the little I have learned about sociology, this is extremely inaccurate in a lot of cases, and sociological generalizations are simply harmful.
2. Do you think taking a sociology course can help correct people's stereotypes?
This question can be taken two different ways; if by “people's stereotypes” it means the stereotypes people form and believe about particular types of people, then yes. If it means the stereotypes about people, then no. Some stereotypes exist for a reason. In most cases, it’s because a large amount of people exhibit a discernible trait that those who do not possess find amusing or deplorable. I think if people who partake in the stereotyping of people were to take sociology, they would find that they have more empathy and understanding on the issue of stereotyping, and would hopefully would see their inaccuracy. An example of this would be in the case of believing that all muslim people are terrorists. This stereotype is completely inaccurate and extremely hurtful. If the people (who obviously are extremely uneducated on the matter) were to take sociology and understand the human generalizations that they have been incorrectly taught, they might reconsider. In the other case, I don’t think that the stereotypes that people live up to could be changed by taking a sociology class. For example, the stereotype about gay men having lisps is often inaccurate, but not completely radical and absurd. This is a trait that many people have, and just because it can be an upsetting stereotype, doesn’t mean that it is shameful or something that can be changed through understanding.
3. Can you think of a stereotype of your own that might be challenged by sociological analysis?
It is often said that if someone was to meet a holographic complete duplicate of themselves, they would not recognize themself. This is because people's views about themselves are extremely warped and inaccurate to their actual looks and mannerisms. With this in mind, I cannot think of any stereotypes I might possess. I am jewish, but not stingy. I am a feminist, but not radical. It is difficult to judge one’s own character. Nevertheless, any stereotypes that I do fit I’m sure could be challenged by sociological analysis.
1. Have you ever held a low wage job?
No, I have never worked a low wage job, but, I can image that I’ll take one up part time after graduating high school.
2. Ehrenreich claims that most well off people in the Unite States are dependent on low-wage workers. What does she mean by this?
When Barbara Ehrenreich claims that most well off people in the US depend on low wage workers, she means that the privileged have a “well someone’s gotta do it” frame of mind. She means that low wage workers, such as waitresses, clerks, and sales associates, do the work that they see themself above doing. These higher class people rely on hard working lower class workers to do the work they don’t want to, hence their formed dependency.
3. How much of a chance do most people with jobs at Wendy's or Walmart have to enroll in college and work towards a different career.
I say it is entirely dependent on the motivation of the person. I understand that it can be difficult to go back to school after taking time off, but, if the person is maintaining this job as a stepping stone to help afford university, then they have a better chance than the cookie cutter unmotivated middle class person. If the person is motivated and determined to better their lives and graduate to higher education, but don’t have the resources to do so, getting a job and working towards their goal shows the promise that they have.
1. Can you think of a common stereotype of sociologists? What is it? After reading the box, do you still think it is valid?
One stereotype about sociologists I have repeatedly heard is that they are too bound by academic principles to appreciate real world practicalities. When I tell people that I am taking a sociology class, they often assume the sociologist teaching me will be an ancient “Marx-looking” behavioral analyst whose research and studies are impractical. Through the little I have learned about sociology, this is extremely inaccurate in a lot of cases, and sociological generalizations are simply harmful.
2. Do you think taking a sociology course can help correct people's stereotypes?
This question can be taken two different ways; if by “people's stereotypes” it means the stereotypes people form and believe about particular types of people, then yes. If it means the stereotypes about people, then no. Some stereotypes exist for a reason. In most cases, it’s because a large amount of people exhibit a discernible trait that those who do not possess find amusing or deplorable. I think if people who partake in the stereotyping of people were to take sociology, they would find that they have more empathy and understanding on the issue of stereotyping, and would hopefully would see their inaccuracy. An example of this would be in the case of believing that all muslim people are terrorists. This stereotype is completely inaccurate and extremely hurtful. If the people (who obviously are extremely uneducated on the matter) were to take sociology and understand the human generalizations that they have been incorrectly taught, they might reconsider. In the other case, I don’t think that the stereotypes that people live up to could be changed by taking a sociology class. For example, the stereotype about gay men having lisps is often inaccurate, but not completely radical and absurd. This is a trait that many people have, and just because it can be an upsetting stereotype, doesn’t mean that it is shameful or something that can be changed through understanding.
3. Can you think of a stereotype of your own that might be challenged by sociological analysis?
It is often said that if someone was to meet a holographic complete duplicate of themselves, they would not recognize themself. This is because people's views about themselves are extremely warped and inaccurate to their actual looks and mannerisms. With this in mind, I cannot think of any stereotypes I might possess. I am jewish, but not stingy. I am a feminist, but not radical. It is difficult to judge one’s own character. Nevertheless, any stereotypes that I do fit I’m sure could be challenged by sociological analysis.