Making Sense of Society: The Sociological Imagination

This study explores the concept of sociological imagination and its impact on social inequality. It discusses gender socialization, theories related to social inequality and globalization, and discrimination based on gender. It also highlights the importance of laws and acts in promoting equality.

Making Sense of Society the
Sociological Imagination
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Table of Contents
Making Sense of Society the Sociological Imagination..................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
What is social inequality and migration & globalization.............................................................3
Gender socialization.....................................................................................................................4
Theories related to social inequality and globalization................................................................4
Creation of gender identity in society..........................................................................................5
Gender roles in past and contemporary society...........................................................................5
Discrimination based on gender with appropriate laws...............................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Sociological imagination refers a practice of being able and having ability to think
ourselves away from familiar routine of daily lives. An individual in sociological imagination
tries to put himself away from situation and think from an alternative point of view Norgaard,
(2018). This present study is going to show effects of social inequality as how it affects
performance and mentality of people. It will also discuss problems which Jennifer Lawrence
faced due to wage inequality as gender inequality. Further, it will discuss some laws which are
protecting people especially females against discrimination and unequal behaviour of society
members. Anti discrimination, gender equality are some acts. Parson and conflict sociology
theory also helps people in changing their perception and promoting equality in society.
What is social inequality and migration & globalization
Social inequality refers an unequal distribution of resources, treatment and opportunities
for different social position to some group of people in the society. Unequal treatment to some
group of people in society is known as social inequality which is mainly being done on the basis
of gender and income. There are several factors which lead and contribute to social inequality
like perception of people, increasing rate or crimes towards girls and income gap between the
poor and the rich Hurst, Gibbon & Nurse, (2016). There are some examples of popular and
famous person who have experienced this inequality such as: Ellen Pao, Jennifer Lawrence.
Jennifer Lawrence, American actress has experienced wage inequality in Hollywood industry.
She stated that as compare to male counterparts, females, or she got less money and initially she
hesitated to speak on this. But after thinking out that it is unlikeable and not good for people and
it may bring changes, she open up on her experience with wage inequality only because of
gender Jennifer Lawrence on Wage Inequality, (2015).
Migration and globalization are 2 different terms but are linked with each other.
Globalization is the main reason of migration. Globalization is a process of international trade or
interdependence of world's culture and population. Globalization and increased competition,
advanced technology is putting pressure on skilled workers to move on in developed countries.
This international movement of people to a particular or a destination country where they do not
posses citizenship and settle as permanent resident because of job and other purpose in known a
migration Rapoport, (2016).
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Gender socialization
It can be defined as a process and way by which children of societies learn about social
expectations, attitudes of people towards boys and girls and are being made aware about
different attitude of society towards people and reasons. In this process children are being taught
that how they have to behave with girls and boys and this learning lead gender and social
inequality. Boys and girls are expected to act, perform activities in different manner such as girls
are expected to talk less with others, be at home, do not go outside and boys are expected to play,
go outside, earn money and dominate to girls Amin & et.al. (2018).
In the context of Jennifer Lawrence it can be said that she has experienced wage
inequality in Hollywood film industry. She stated that this problem is hard to relate and making
people understand that males are more likely to get more money than girls but she said that it is
not about wages as it is about gendered inequality. This initiation of Lawrence created several
problems and some people said that it is unlikable and many people accused her.
Theories related to social inequality and globalization
It is important for people to make others and children aware about importance of
promoting equality and providing equal and fair treatment to all. It can be possible when they
can make use of relevant theories.
Parson theory: One of the best theory related to social action is Parson. As per the
parson social action theory, people and society members need to provide equal treatment and
they can make better decision when they have an accurate understanding of individual's traits and
behaviors, knowledge of labour market etc. Social and personality system plays an important
role in guiding people and molding behaviors of society members towards male and females
Parson's Theory, (2019).
conflict theory: This theory states that society is in a state of conflict because of
competition as due to lack or limited resources, all people try to seek access to resources. It is all
because of inequality and favoritism of society members towards the rich. This theory suggests
that society members needs to work in a team so that all members can have access and make
better use of resources by equal distribution.
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Creation of gender identity in society
Gender and social inequality becomes the reason of migration. Due to unequal treatment
and allocation of resources, some group of people immigrate to other countries for earning
money and having access to basic resources and needs. Gender identify can be defined as
personal conception of oneself as male and female. In the context of formation of gender identify
and behaviour of society members towards boys and girls, it can be said that it forms by
observation, Children observe their elders and imitate gender linked behaviors Bradford & et.al.
(2019). For example: if one of the family member treat females in a different manner than males
and when children observe them then they also treat their male and female friends in different
manner. So, it can be said that formation of social and other inequality starts in families.
Gender roles in past and contemporary society
Gender roles means ways in which males and females are expected to act and perform
activities, dress, groom themselves etc. If we compare gender roles in past with this modern era
or contemporary society then it can be said that several changes have been made till now because
of technology, media development, development of policies and others.
In ancient or past, gender roles were specified as females or girls were expected to be in
home, not to go outside for job, not to play with boys, after marriage be in veil, do household
chores etc. Whereas, males or boys were expected to earn money, do not perform activities
related to household, play outside, wear whatever they want to wear and also dominate to girls
Pushkareva & Zolotukhina, (2018).
But now in modern era, things have been changed after development of legislations, girls
are allowed to wear western clothes, earn money, play outside and be as like males. But still
there are some cultures and societies where women are not allowed to do all these things. Things
related to gender roles have been changed as there is no specific and set criteria for gender roles
in some cultures and societies. So, overall it can be said that it has been changed to come extent
and need to be developed in all rest of areas.
Discrimination based on gender with appropriate laws
There are different types of discrimination of unfair or unequal treatment like
discrimination on the basis of mental health, age, race, ethnicity and gender. Gender is one of the
main basis which is found at all place in society, at workplace or organizations. One of the main
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example of gender discrimination is Jennifer Lawrence. Sexual harassment, wages
discrimination on the basis of gender, lack promotional and other opportunities to females are
some examples of gender discrimination. But after development of policies and legislations
related to discrimination, perception has been changed of people and it has also made changes at
workplace as well.
Equality act 2010: This act is being developed for protecting people against
discrimination and allow them to seek for equal treatment at workplace. Sex discrimination, race
discrimination and for other discrimination there were different acts but now all acts have been
replaced with anti discrimination act Importance of Equality Act 2010, (2017). As per this anti
discrimination act, any people if they find unequal treatment on any basis can file lawsuit against
companies and get equal treatment.
Human rights act: There are several rights have been given to people like rights to
freedom, equal treatment and others. So, by making use of this act, females and other people who
have experienced unequal societal and other treatment like Jennifer Lawrence can seek for equal
treatment.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that social inequality create several
problems for people and the society as a whole. Globalization and due to globalization,
immigration of people have also both positive and negative effects and due to immigration,
developed countries are getting developed and richer than developing countries. It has also
shown effectiveness of laws related to inequality as it has changed perception of people towards
girls and it has eliminated gender inequality, social inequality to some extent. Further, it has also
discussed negative effects of discrimination and unequal distribution of resources in society
among some group of people and putting pressure on innocent people to move on in other
countries.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Amin, A. & et.al. (2018). Addressing gender socialization and masculinity norms among
adolescent boys: policy and programmatic implications. Journal of Adolescent Health.
62(3). S3-S5.
Bradford, N. J. & et.al. (2019). Creating gender: A thematic analysis of genderqueer narratives.
International Journal of Transgenderism. 20(2-3). 155-168.
Hurst, C. E., Gibbon, H. M. F., & Nurse, A. M. (2016). Social inequality: Forms, causes, and
consequences. Routledge.
Norgaard, K. M. (2018). The sociological imagination in a time of climate change. Global and
Planetary Change. 163. 171-176.
Pushkareva, N., & Zolotukhina, M. (2018). Women's and Gender Studies of the Russian Past:
two contemporary trends. Women's History Review. 27(1). 71-87.
Rapoport, H. (2016). Migration and globalization: what’s in it for developing countries?.
International Journal of Manpower.
Online
Jennifer Lawrence on Wage Inequality. 2015. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-wage-inequality-lenny-essay>
Importance of Equality Act 2010. 2017. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.executivecompass.co.uk/blog/general/importance-equality-act-2010-
tendering/>
Parson's Theory. 2019. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.careers.govt.nz/resources/career-practice/career-theory-models/parsons-
theory/>
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