Sociology In Sociology

1. We hear a lot about the 99% and how an elite group are accumulating the majority of the wealth of our country. As well, there is evidence that people are working full time jobs and still living in poverty. This is a huge issue of our time; we grow up with the idea of the “American Dream”, of hard work and determination creating economic prosperity, but this is simple not the case. To me, education is a way out of this cycle of poverty, yet, unfortunately, the education system in the United States is not up to par, clearly evident in our own Chicago community. Sociology can tell us why education is not equal for all and why the “American Dream” is limited to only a select few.

Where you live determines where you go to school. The local property taxes fund the public schools which means that if you live in an affluent area, it is likely your public schools will be well funded, allowing for newer technologies, better maintained and newer facilities, and higher teacher salaries. Where you live has to do with two factors: race and class.

The factor of race into location can be traced back in history to The New Deal and the concept of Red Lining. This began

For the last five years, I have worked at a miniature golf course and concession stand. How does this relate to sociology? Well, through observation you can note the different class of individuals who partake in this activity. From the way they choose the color of their ball and the way they take to us employees gives insight into the social influences that have impact that individual. For example, one day a little boy came to play with his grandparents. When it was time to pick out a ball color, he gleefully asked for pink. This was quickly shut down by the grandma who said that pink was a “girl” color and that he should pick another one. The thought that pink is gendered is evident of social construction; the grandma had this belief that a color was not appropriate for a boy because of social