SOCL 1016 FIELDTRIP REFLECTION PIECE
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On 24 February 2014, I attended the sociological field trip to Alexandra. The field trip was insightful, as it provided me the opportunity to see what the living conditions within Alexandra actually resembled, as well as relate the course material I have learned to a community that incorporates social concepts and theory.
On the field trip, my group visited two facilities - the Main Clinic and the Mveledzo Community Centre - which I will speak about.
On the way to Alexandra (or Alex), the environment and surroundings were observed and noted. I noticed that the buildings a few kilometres away from Alex were quite modern and well developed. There was a relatively clean environment with minimal waste products littering the area. However, as we arrived closer to the township, dilapidation and waste pollution became more evident. The well constructed and maintained buildings minimized, and were replaced by clustered settlements and large trash heaps. The tar roads became dirt roads in some places. Though there were only a few kilometres between the two areas, the was an evident difference between living conditions.
When we got off the bus our guide explained some statistics of Alexandra that I was unaware of. He explained that the population of Alex was estimated to be above one million people, and that Alex experienced frequent water and electricity shortages. He also explained the allocation of resources between individuals. The township of Alexandra was divided into yards, which each consisted of two taps, two toilets, and one clothesline. He further explained that 1 yard housed around 15 families. Anoth...
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...ing to change them to their benefit. In 2012, the fruits of their labour were present in the form of bubble fish, which had been found in the previously heavily polluted river water.
In conclusion, I found the field trip to be extremely beneficial and insightful, as it provided me the opportunity to see what the living conditions within Alexandra actually resembled, as well as relate the course material I have learned to a community that incorporates social concepts and theory.
Works Cited
• Bradshaw, D., Masiteng, K., & Nannan, N. (2001). Health Status and Determinants. SA Health Review , 89-103.
• Myer, L., Ehrlich, R. I., & Susser, E. S. (2004). Social Epidemiology in South Africa. Epidemiologic Reviews , 26, 112-113.
• Nettleton, S. (2006). Social Inequalities and Health Status. In N. S, Sociology of Health and Illness (pp. 169-202). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Wilkinson, R., Kawachi, I., & Kennedy, B., 1998, Mortality, the social environment, crime and violence. In: Bartley, M., Blane, D., & Davey Smith, G. (eds). The Sociology of Health Inequalities. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Health and inequality have always been two very controversial topics in society. Society tends to classify us into a class (or social class) based on an unequal distribution of power, wealth, income, and status (Germov 2015: p. 510). Your socioeconomic status”(SES) is also a major factor in the health inequalities we face in todays society. What does socioeconomic status (SES) even mean?
Wilkinson, R. M. (2003). Social determinants of health - the solid facts. [S.l.]: World Health Organization.
...an, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health: coming
Overtime, sociology has played an essential role in the aid of healthcare policies and procedures, along with playing a fundamental role in one’s understanding of health inequalities. This paper explores how sociology has played such a role in healthcare, whilst including discussions regarding the influence of social structures and inequalities in the health of an individual, their family and community, with the topic of health variations between social classes being the main focus of the discussion. A structured overview, review and evaluation of a specific health policy in the UK will also be provided within this paper. Sociology in healthcare. Sociology can be defined in a number of ways, due to its almost limitless scope (Denny, Earle,
Wilkinson, R.G. & Marmot, M.G. 2003, Social determinants of health: the solid facts, World Health Organization.
Everyone has different points of views, feelings, reactions, and etcetera. People handle things in different ways. I read the story “Field Trip” by Tim O’brien. The story has emotions, but yet it’s still very settle.
Wilkinson, R. G., & Marmot, M. G. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts.
The essay will be looking at , poverty, employment and unemployment, poor diets as determinants of health in this context amongst other factors such as housing, mental health, social support network, education, culture, individual behaviours, genetics, gender because they have the best documented evidence on research in health inequalities in Britain available in the Black Report (DHSS 1980; Townsend, Davidson and Whitehead, 1992), Acheson Report (Acheson 1998), and FairSociety, HealthyLives Report, and other academic sources.
Richard G. Wilkinson, M. G. (2003). The Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. Denmark: World Health Organization.
Over the years, the social determinants of health (SDOH) have been receiving more attention due to its importance in determining peoples’ health access, health quality and health outcome. The social determinants of health have been described by various scholars as the situation or environmental condition in which people are born, or where they grow, live and work; unfortunately these conditions have continued to affect and determine people’s ability to access proper care.1-5 In other words, the SDOH continues to consciously and unconsciously influence people’s access to most opportunities in life including access to healthcare services both in developed and developing countries.2 This issues have continue to deteriorate in most developing countries increasing people’s susceptibility to multi-morbidity among different age groups, with a slight increase among the elderly.6
It is evident that inequality (social or economic differences between people or groups, which often leads to unequal opportunity, and treatment) is present all around us, even in modern day Britain. There is a view that because of the inequalities, some social groups suffer more in terms of life chances. This means that these individuals may be limited in their ability to share in the economic and cultural goods of society, such as education, health and employment.
accessed 12-04-2014. Reference: Sociology for AS AQA Ken B 4th edition ISBN-13:978-0-7456-5551-2(Pb). World health organisation cited in Haralambos and Holborn (2009) Sociology themes and perspectives: student handbook, seventh edition, London Collins Publishers. Taylor, S. and D. Field 2003 Sociology of Health.
Packing for trips can be frustrating, sometimes you forget what you needed to bring, and other things can come up and ruin the whole trip. Everyone goes on trips, whether they’re for business, family or something completely different. Depending on what kind of trip you’re going on, there are different thing that you need to pack, and stuff you can't forget about. Not everyone can pack things effectively or without forgetting something.
There is nothing quite like traveling, going someplace new and finding out more about the world and yourself. Anyone can become a traveler it just takes a little bit of faith and courage. Traveling across the world or even across the country is a learning experience. When you are a traveler you see how people live and how different cultures work. It is the best educational experience you could give yourself. You see how the world works in a way no one can teach you. Seeing different cultures and people help build the person you want to be. If you are a traveler the world influences you, because when traveling, you see the good and the bad, and you learn from the right and the wrong. I am very lucky that I am able to be a traveler and see this