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The reason I am taking Sociology is because it is required curriculum to get to my goal of transferring into a UC and obtaining my bachelors in political science. I am also interested in learning, and diving more in depth into materials rather than staying surface deep.

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Miner, Body Ritual Among the Nacirema 06/12/2024

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Miner, Body Ritual Among the Nacirema 06/12/2024

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This reading was interesting, fascinating, and humorous. In ways we as a normal society can understand the Nacirema culture, for example “The Listener” who is pretty closely similar to who some of us perceive as God right? God listens and takes away our “SINS” which is very closely matched with their listeners. Furthermore, what is fascinating is the fact that these people decided that they will put themselves through pain that could nearly kill them again, this sounds familiar? Women who get surgeries to alter their bodies to be socially acceptable or beautiful and men who alter their looks to also be attractive is also life risking and very painful. Yes! It is funny that they through some humor in the reading ok, maybe it’s not perceived as humorous for some but a woman baking her head in a small oven for nearly an hour is not something you see everyday! Also, getting their teeth cleansed with jewels and being pretty much lied too and still returning to get the same thing also proves them as sheep. One follows the other, then the other, and the cycle continues. All in all, they are eerily similar to what society deemed as normal human beings so maybe they really aren’t that far fetched afterall.

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This reading has opened my eyes to the power of body language and the manner of it without one word falling from your lips. I never thought to realize that non verbal communication is a huge thing especially is my personal culture. When my family and I walk into a room I can tell almost immediately when someone is uncomfortable simply by the shift of their body language and the turn of facial expressions. Now reading into this material it’s made obvious that all of us suffer from the same thing. When you’re nervous you sweat, scared you shake, mad your facial expressions tense it’s all full circle non verbal communication and expressions are part of human beings and no matter the cultural differences between us a form of non verbal communication is always present.

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Clark, Sympathy in Everyday Life 06/16/2024

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Clark, Sympathy in Everyday Life 06/16/2024

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“Receiving sympathy is determined by social status of a person.” The amount of compassion you will receive all depends on your popularity and your position in life. To think deeper gearing toward African Americans and the discrimination we face today in 2024 if this wasn’t a viral issue and spoken about and pushed within our politics and leaders would this social issue have lack of empathy and compassion? Yes it would because in order for sympathy to be given the ones of status have to show some sort of compassion toward this subject and then those willing will follow. To think further I truly do not think it’s necessarily fair that people of social status determine how much an individual topic or an individual person receives sympathy. If a homeless man were to say I am suffering, hungry, and cannot afford the cost of living in California I need help someone might give him a dollar. If a black man was murdered by a white police officer for speeding, getting pulled over and reaching for his registration and this was spread like wildfire over the news, then a go fund me is created with a donation limit of 10,000 for the family I’d almost guarantee that the amount of donations would eclipse that 10,000 threshold not particularly because one is more sad then the other but because the unfortunate lost of that black man was covered by those of social status and standing he was advocated for but that homeless man whose hungry is not enough. That is what I gained from this reading and topic you must be “enough” to receive sympathy and support.

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In "Doing Sociological Research" from Down to Earth Sociology: Sociology : Introductory Readings (2007) by James M. Henslin successfully encompasses the fabric of sociological investigation. To this end, Henslin strongly draws the attention of sociologists toward the value of research in sociology to achieve sociology’s major objective of systemically and scientifically explaining occurrences in society. Such a coherent approach sets sociological research apart from other pursuits and forms the basis for developing well-founded theories capturing social action and organization patterns.

The reading highlights methodological versatility as both inherent and essential in sociological research. Henslin identifies the following techniques of gathering information, for instance; questionnaires, controlled experiments, direct observation, and the use of available data. These are generalized assumptions and each method is also subjected to certain merits and demerits which determine the suitability of each method depending on the research question, context, and available resources. This plurality of the approaches lets the sociologists consider the social occurrences from different angles, which is advantageous in getting a better view of the circumstances.

One cannot fail to notice a bulk of ethical dimensions in Henslin’s analysis. Sociological research entails handling people as substance of research hence application of high ethical standards such as consent to participate in the research, disclosure of identity and advocating against any harm that maycome with the research. This focus extends to ethics, which makes it important to protect the rights of the participants as well as ensure that the research is proper.

Henslin also discusses some of the problems that both fallers and theoreticians may experience when planning, funding, and implementing sociological studies, as well as when choosing subjects, and sources, maintaining neutrality, and analyzing the intricacy of social reality. In handling these challenges, there is need to find a middle ground in order to gets more accurate and valid results. Theory plays a crucial part of formulating the research questions and in analysis of data hence aiding in coming up with new hypotheses regarding social occurrences.

Also, the author uses examples of Henslin where sociological research is applied in practical areas of human lives and does not remain the theory nourishing only academic realms but is implemented in the formulation of public policies, in social transformations and in solving of existing social problems. This practical relevance is important towards underlining the importance of sociological research towards solving problems affecting society. Some of the methodological emphases include; reflexivity, that is the research team’s impact on the investigation, which is considered crucial in generating accurate results. Henslin has provided a detailed, empirical, and thorough approach to sociological research methods and an overview of ethics and practical uses, all of which emphasize the importance of organization and ethics in the analysis of social life.

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Chapter 5:  Shopping/Social Order 06/23/2024

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Chapter 5:  Shopping/Social Order 06/23/2024

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Coined as an exciting new approach to exploring themes and issues in sociology, Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann’s “Introducing Sociology Using the Stuff of Everyday Life” (2016) engages the reader in these sociological considerations of shopping by using a chapter within the text as a detailed case study. It starts by disputing the passive nature of shopping and positing that it is not just a simple and routine chore but is a social action connected to the person’s character and personality as well as the structures of society.

Added to that, the authors focus on shopping, which they reveal not only as the means of acquiring necessary products and services but also as an important form of recreation and identity. However, they do accept the fun and enjoyment that most people find in shopping, whether as a pastime, social activity, or self-enrichment. But they also reveal the negative effects of consumerism, the primary ones being debt pressure, being preoccupied with material possessions, and environmental concerns due to the consumerist culture.

The dichotomy undergirds their intervention is that of the consumer being pitted against the corporation. Such questions they raise about to the consumers being rational individuals making their choices or being mere products of marketing and socialization practices. Such duality is not unique to the Coka-Cola Company but forms part of broader discourses regarding choice and regulation in consumer culture, freedom, and discipline.

In addition, the chapter explores how shopping behaviors facilitate either inclusion or exclusion of the community. About media; shopping practices are used to examine how they represent and maintain social identities and group affiliations as well as how the same practices contribute to social isolation given the progressing individualism.

Thus, Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann through adopting sociological view encourage readers to consider the notion of shopping from different angle, which is deeper and more profound than just the facade. It meann to promote ’critical awareness’ in readers as to the nature of consumer culture and to encourage them to regard today’s shopping as potential both source of fun and potential disaster.

All in all, their writing strategy involves being sympathetic towards the consumer experience, but also analyzes consumer culture from a critical perspective, consumers’ lives and the lives of consumer shoppers are intertwined here: the Readers are encouraged to ponder how shopping influences not only individual lives but collective ones as well

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Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead 06/24/2024

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Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead 06/24/2024

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William E. Thompson through his article reveals an entirely different culture concerning death and management of the same in the current world compared to that of the earlier twentieth century. He defines how rural America and big cities in early twentieth century were familiar and intimate with death and how it has become professional and euphemistic now. Death used to be natural consequence of life, people died in their homes and their close ones, especially women of the deceased were actively involved in processes like washing the corpse and dressing it for burial. Funerals were conducted within the home where the family had a sitting area known as the parlor, and this provided company for the bereaved as they received visitors who came to pay their condolence.

Death, today, is not as public a process as in the past, people die in hospitals and funeral homes and the responsibility is in the hands of professional rather than the family. Some of the activities involved in the process of death have been commercialized and mechanical, and are no longer handled by those who are emotionally related during events such as washing, dressing, preserving the body, and arranging the funeral. Funeral directors and embalmers serve as another profession that deals with the dead, handling the body with the professionalism which requires some level of distance.

Thus, the theme of the article by Thompson can be considered as sociological as it describes the stigma connected to the handling of the dead and it describes how these ‘death specialists’ cope with this stigma. Murder had been of handling the deceased as a responsibility of the families and the community but the current world has delegated this job to personnel. The stigma comes from people’s negative perception of death and its functioning hence, it is concealed from public eye, performed behind doors.

Continuing with the occasional cultural evolution, Thompson encourages readers to think about what it does to our concept of mortality. Subcontracting is an interesting way to look at the process of approaching death, but has the society become too detached from this aspect of life? Additionally, how does this shift impact grieving and the funeral rituals that previously provided closure through home wakes and inclusion in a close-knit family system?

Thus, the exploration of Thompson offers thought-provoking insights into how cultural transformations influence discourses surrounding death while thus prompting contemplation of the significance of such a change on individual bereavement processes and socially sanctioned mourning practices.

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Goffman, The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life 06/24/2024

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Goffman, The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life 06/24/2024

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Perhaps the most striking idea that relates to the description of individual behavior can be linked with Erving Goffman’s “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” which defines people’s activity with the help of theatrical metaphor. In essence, Goffman theorizes that this is the self is always in a state of performance in various ways, for the social situation, much as it is, is like a theater. This idea questions the notion of the ‘true self’ or a ‘core self’, hence there is a question of who we truly are: concerning, say, Kim, being a ‘good girl’.

Goffman’s approach helps explain how individuals can avoid appearing foolish by presenting themselves to the world in a particular form, selecting manners of acting, movements of the body, and facial expressions or costumes and ornaments to influence those who surround them to respond in ways that an actor wants them to. This kind of management of impressions is consistent with how people are expected, obligated, or programmed to act, verbally, non-verbally, collectively, and individually, to express social identity, to perform,… From greetings as simple as ‘Hello’ for a passing stranger to business executive posturing, there is always a perceivably negotiated performance initiated to elicit specific reactions.

However, there are several criticisms associated with Goffman’s approach to the concept of interaction: For instance, it eliminates the prospects of sincere interpersonal interactions. If life is theater and every human transaction is reduced to a case of cipher playing with cipher then where is the spontaneity and authenticity? This may be considered quite insightful yet somewhat worrying to fully grasp the fact that our actions are dictated by reactions from others. They also question the concept of mere interaction and suggest that is it not all about real human affection but rather just a performance.

In addition, applying Goffman’s concept leads to insightful thoughts on power and manipulation in social relationships. If interactions are purposely staged, people may try putting up a show to gain an advantage or to control the way that they are seen and heard, the notion of interactions parallels that of the Machiavellian notion of deception at its basest.

Finally, it is possible to conclude that with the help of the framework offered by Goffman, one can get a comfortable outlook on the patterns of human behavior and map out the critical questions concerning the concept of authenticity, the nature of the individual’s identity, and the implications of the dramatic performance regulatory the relations between its subjects. It shows that people lie naturally and there is always an element of pretense in them to act in certain manners and compel us to think about how truthful people are being or how far are we straying from moral values and liners.

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Branding/The Self and Social Interaction 06/24/2024

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Branding/The Self and Social Interaction 06/24/2024

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The writing explores the very deep meaning of branding as an aspect that controls or shapes modern post-modern consumerism and consumption. A brand is no longer a simple name, it is a symbol that contains many expectations, perceptions, and even goals that people have achieved in societies, also it is more than that as it becomes part of how people see themselves and their neighbors.

In its essence, it is a process of creating a distinct perceptual image for products that are actually not very different to avoid any confusion as it adds a non- utilitarian meaning to products. Trademarks signify status, quality, and personal image, therefore dictating customers’ behavior and societal expectations. This phenomenon has emerged with and helped define mass production and global market environments, where brands are no longer only economic mediators but also instruments for building self-stories as well as social relations and identities.

Furthermore, brands are no longer limited to material products and services but also to beliefs, organizations, and individuals. They operate as vessels for communication and identity management, as well as for the experience and observation of the pertinent specifications of interpersonal relationships. This means self-branding becomes even more apparent in the present time as a way of making the best of a professional and personal brand on social media platforms.

Researchers point out that classifying a brand as a message that marketers send to docile consumers that they can control and communicate was present in early theoretical concepts, but the emphasis is now more on the co-construction of various meanings of brands between consumers and organizations. This interactive process also highlights that brands are not mere mirrors but active agents that mediate, contour, and remould who society and its members are or wish to be.

In conclusion, brands are indeed not only sources of power and economic might in the contemporary world but also in that they enable signification and self-ascension in an increasingly consumptionist culture. They mediate a complex relationship of micro-macro identification and enable differentiated bargaining between subjective identity and objective positioning within a ‘bubble’ of late modern culture

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Would You Hire an Ex-Convict? 06/24/2024

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Would You Hire an Ex-Convict? 06/24/2024

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In “Would You Hire an Ex-Convict?” Devah Pager provides a comprehensive insight into how the distinctly colored experiences of black and white male ex-convicts influence their chances in the workplace. I think that her experimental angle allows for a better understanding of the challenges that ex-offenders cope with in the world of work. The findings underscore a troubling trend: at 46%, all individuals with criminal records report a high unemployment rate, thus meaning that employment chances are highly diminished especially to ‘ex-offenders’ compared with other ‘qualification or no qualification ’ applicants. This discrimination leads to the continuation of poverty and high crime rates and prisoners return to prison once more and ruin more minority communities caused by systemic racism.

It also stresses the role of employment not only in providing an income but also as a means of correcting deviant behavior and integrating individuals back into society. The concept of denying former criminals the chance to find a steady job and lead a normal life because of their past is hardly conducive to their reform. It plunges society into increased social isolation, entrenches black people in particular and discriminatorily isolates them from society even after they have served their time in prison.

In matters of justice and equality, the position of ex-convicts remains questionable within a society that rejects them through hiring prejudice. Safety and trust concerns are reasonable, but segregating people solely because of a previous mistake is counterproductive and does not take into account the ability of a human to change and grow. Efforts toward equal opportunity hiring, job training for the ex-incarcerated, and communications about the challenges of reintegration may help counteract generational recidivism.

Finally, it is suggested that some policy choices should be reasonable, humane, and based on the second-chance principle for persons with criminal backgrounds. Undoubtedly, by facilitating reconciliations through addressing systemic barriers and encouraging institutional and organizational inclusivity we not only help people who want to establish a fresh start but also help the society become more inclusive and fair for everyone.

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If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably 06/24/2024

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If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably 06/24/2024

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The obedience experiments as told by Philip Meyer of Stanley Milgram give a shocking insight into how human beings can go to the extreme under pressure from authority. Milgram wanted to find out why normal men and women would become capable of doing wrong things such as shocking another man to death on denied commands from an officer.

The experiments that have been depicted expose the darker aspects of man and society. Situated at first to investigate whether Germans had a special proclivity to follow orders blindly, Milgram discovered that people all over the world possessed this inherent oligarchal compliance irrespective of nationality. This undermines the rather simplistic thinking that always associates genocides such as the holocaust with the German nationals.

What is even more worrisome is how the participants were led into the experimental situation supposedly testing learning through negative reinforcement, and proceeded to shock the learner even when he protested and seemed uncomfortable. The changes Milgram made to the experiment – swapping Yale for a more humble setting in Bridgeport – indicated that obedience remained fairly high though slightly less so, demonstrating the importance of the context of authority.

The repercussions do not stop at the door of the laboratory. Milgram found that ordinary people can be commanded to act in harmful ways as long as they believe that they are following the directions of an authority figure, which gives the readers much to think about concerning absolute human morality and the possibility of the misuse of power in any form of a hierarchy, including schools, organizations, and even governments. The experiments thus make them realize certain uncomfortable facts regarding the power of suggestion, readiness to conform even at the cost of ethical principles, and the tendency to obey authority, even if the last is wrong.

In the present global setting where power or authority bears substantial impact on people’s reactions and decisions, Milgram’s experiment provides an eye-opener. These appeals make us develop critical thinking skills, ethical sense, and the dominance of self in defiance of unjust authority, contradicting the traditionalistic concept of the prevalent propensity of man to obey. The aesthetic potential is great, making people think about how world powers can be prevented from using their positions to exploit citizens, and how the day can be won when people will not blindly follow evil leaders but will strive to do what is right.

Even Milgram’s experiments with subjects who complied and obeyed orders regardless of the human suffering they caused should serve as a reminder of the fact that humans can act nastily when personal responsibilities are overshadowed by the authority. It is important to remain wakeful for and stand assertively for a set of ethical values, not succumb to the pressure of conformity, and make certain that power conforms to justice and compassion. Reflecting upon the significance of Milgram’s findings, one cannot only recognise the potential in individuals when it comes to obeying authority but also address the challenge for humanity in search of creating a better world.

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Herbert J. Gans' exploration of poverty in "The Uses of Poverty: “The Poor Pay All” is an interesting article that radically revises some of the popular concepts regarding poverty as the function that is performed in society. At first, it may appear disconcerting; however, his dissection makes the reader expand past the conventional understanding of poverty.

Katz engages Gans in his argument, elucidating that poverty keeps low-wage dirty work going because it is necessary for society’s economic performance. This view makes people conscious about how poor people work and spend their money helping the rich enjoy commodities originating from food production to services.

However, Gans gives elaboration on how poverty creates job opportunities for social workers, police, and health care providers among others. This observation raises some interdependence where although poverty is viewed as something negative, it, can sustain parts of the economy that are focused on eradicating it.

Thus, according to Gans, from a social standpoint, poverty helps non-poor people to define their identity through comparison with the received norms. It subverts social structure and offers a trite story of self-control, yet applies it unjustly to the poor as the Other who explains society’s rules by deviation.

Most importantly, Gans’ thesis produces and provokes disturbing questions about status differentials and the ranking of a society. In this case, it provokes thinking about whether, in today’s world, it is for our own sake to keep poverty and injustices going in the name of fields of economy and politics.

However, Gans’ analysis is not without controversy. This brings questions on the rights of other people to use particular categories of people, especially the vulnerable ones, to enrich the rest. What is more, it fails to capture two more fundamental principles of human dignity and their agency embedded in poverty leaving them mere ‘implements’ and not worthy human beings in need of sustenance and respect.

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 Morris & Grimes, Moving Up from the Working Class 06/25/2024

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 Morris & Grimes, Moving Up from the Working Class 06/25/2024

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Social mobility is a potently contested subject, which has been viewed by many as a dream companioning people from the working class trying to rise the social ladder; Joan M. Morris and Michael D. Grimes indeed move poignantly with this composition “Moving Up from the Working Class”. This feature demonstrates how one’s socialization in a working-class environment determines one’s cultural and educational prospects and therefore, transforms their ambitions and accomplishments.

Among the broader themes, there is a concept of cultural capital, which the authors describe as how the parts of the cultural endowment of the family at the cellular level of social structure affect the child and his/her further possibilities: ‘subculture’ activities like music concerts, museums, etc. The above analysis highlights the differences between the affairs of the sociologists analyzed and middle-class professionals, showing that the differences emanate from the sociopolitical conditions of socio-economic statuses.

From the personal experiences described in the article, the viewer gets an idea of the fight and the perseverance that is needed to chart one’s course against the odds. Some participants described their accomplishments in the face of major adversities such as economic difficulties, and lack of encouragement to continue with education, yet participants were able to achieve academic and professional goals. This clearly shows that it is up to the individuals and they have to break the barriers of societies and persist.

Furthermore, the article provides insight into ways in which class-based socialization affects one’s choice of career and formal education. It explains how different groups are treated differently based on one or the other; this demystifies the existence of meritocracy. The narrated experiences describe not only personal successes but organizational barriers that prevent people from climbing the social ladder in many cases.

Therefore, “Moving Up from the Working Class” forces the reader to think twice about the issues of class mobility and the consequences of early nurture on adult behavior. It applies justice to the provision of resources and chances to empower those who want to rise above their status in life. Finally, it raises the question of how organizations help or, on the contrary, impede people’s dreams and becomes a rationale for societal change and support for opportunities for improved mobility.

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The U.S. Upper Class-Wealth Inequality in The United States 06/27/2024

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The U.S. Upper Class-Wealth Inequality in The United States 06/27/2024

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Social inequality has always been one of the biggest challenges in all societies. It is all about discrimination of wealth where some individuals would always be fortunate to receive more of their society's goods and services while other groups of people would receive less. It is a well-known saying that wealthy people would keep on becoming wealthier while poor people would keep on becoming poorer.  From this chapter the US upper class, it has been learnt that the American upper class exhibits class solidarity if observed from a class perspective. The class solidarity is exhibited by the upper class of America from the group's awareness that they would always be sharing a common fake and consider each other equals. Their voting behavior in support of the Republican party as well as charitable efforts could also be observed to be the manifestations of their ability for joint efforts to achieve common interests. The video “Wealth Inequality in America” highlights the distribution of wealth in America by indicating inequality and the differences in our perception of inequality. From the video, it has been learned that most American citizens believe that the overall system is unfair. The difference between the perception of the people of America and the reality makes us aware of what the real situation is. From the charts explained in the video, it could be observed that there is a big difference between what American think the distribution is and what the actual distribution is. However, the reality is that in America the “top 20” class in society occupies the majority of the distribution of wealth which again indicates a high level of wealth inequality still today. In American society, the distribution of wealth is highly unequal because there is a very thin line between the poor and the middle class: the rich and wealthiest have the most access to wealth in society. The upper-class families in America are the descendants of those who were fortunate enough to achieve both short-term and long-term economic success during the Gilded Age. The role of several associational arrangements and institutions to make the American upper class to pass through life with very little contact with other social classes is significant. People belonging to upper class societies do not have much awareness about what is going on in the country with other social classes which makes it happen that people often become reluctant to think about others and just concentrate on what they can achieve and keep growing. It is all about how we think about the social norms and distribution of wealth in our societies. The upper class keeps growing their money and resources while the middle and poor class continue to struggle and the gap between these classes remains the same and keeps increasing. The role of several factors is important in allowing American upper-class society to become dominant full stop for instance to be a member in the upper-class society of America it is important to be overwhelmingly white, Anglo Saxon, and Protestant. Although unofficially codified, ethnic, personal, and religious characteristics as well as social and generational seasoning were equally important for getting accepted into upper class society. It is believed that how people can control economic wealth would decide whether they can be members of the upper class. It is also believed that only the people who belong to upper class society in America could redefine the future.

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Can coffee consumption be a marker of social class? From chapter 4 it has been learned how consumer tastes are connected to our social class. It is very surprising to know that consumers' tastes and preferences could also be related to their social classes. The chapter has highlighted the way visible and demonstrative consumption habits of people such as “conspicuous consumption” are different in different groups that also different among groups. For many people, it is a biological necessity to have a daily cup of coffee rather than a sociological phenomenon. In this chapter, coffee consumption has been considered a factor to examine the social aspects of people's tastes and preferences. It is a fact that people belonging to different social classes consume different types of things in different ways not only to fulfill their biological necessity but also to show their class to others. It is a fact that consumption of a specific thing can be a necessity to a particular class while it can be a luxury to some other people. For instance, sociologist Thorsten Veblen highlighted the way social elites would purchase and display items belonging to high status to distinguish themselves from others and portray themselves as socially superior. They would purchase high end products to demonstrate their high status which would instill the amount of deference, prestige, and individual commands. People belonging to high society or high status would consume coffee from Starbucks while people who are middle class individuals would choose McDonald's. According to sociology, coffee consumption is related to the class difference between people where upper class people would try to display famous logos by selecting a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Sociologist Sonia Bookman examined people who went to upscale chains like Starbucks as well as people who drink coffee at Tim Horton as well as compared the responses with that of Dunkin' Donuts. The sociologist identified that Starbucks was highly associated with sophistication and refinement that are two important ideas of high-status people while Tim Horton was considered and perceived as a pragmatic choice for ordinary people who would like to have a cup of coffee not to show their status to others. The survey also concluded that lower middle class, middle class, and working-class people would not accept the fake pretension of being the members of high status by visiting Starbucks outlets and instead day to Pride in an affordable and low-maintenance coffee. From this it could be understood that working class or middle-class consumers are in a position to challenge the cultural evaluations and accept the idea that if they drink upscale coffee then that would be nothing but cultural sophistication. It is true that social class is not only an economic category but also a demonstration of cultural dimension that can also be explained and expressed through consumption. An individual can try to express himself or herself as a member of high society by consuming products like an elite which can be considered cultural capital as explained by Pierre Bourdieu.

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When Theory Actually Applies: Starbucks is to Bourdieu as Dunkin’ Donuts is to Foucault

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Dedicated to joyous cups of joe in this (ever colder!) month of January, what follows is the third of four posts, which cover sections from my paper, “Dunkin’ Donuts: A Site and Source of Bostonian…

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Chapter 3 Fast Food/Work and Economy 06/27/2024

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Chapter 3 Fast Food/Work and Economy 06/27/2024

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In this chapter, the relationship between fast food, work, and the economy has been explained. It explores the way the fast-food industry can be considered an element to understand broader sociological concepts that are connected with economic and work structures. The growth of the fast-food industry was rapidly paced in the middle of the 20th century. Several factors such as changes in conventional family structures, urbanization, and technological advancement in producing food and related services played an immensely significant role in the growing fast-food industry. The labor force in the fast-food industry has been working at typically low wage due to their low skills. The work structure is such that it is highly routinized and monotonous to some extent. This kind of work structure has negatively impacted the labor force and workers because issues like lack of benefits, high rate of job insecurity, and very limited opportunities for growth and advancement have always been major issues.  Undoubtedly, the fast-food industry is one of the largest employers on the global platform to profile employment opportunities for several individuals having limited skills and educational qualifications. Fast food restaurants create jobs that are considered easy to fill. People working in this segment have the opportunity to earn and gain valuable skills. While discussing the democratic characteristics of the workers belonging to the fast-food industry, it has been highlighted that the prevalence of immigrant workers, people from minority sections, and young people are mostly recruited in this industrial sector. This industry is also a source of economic inequality because despite benefits it contributes to economic inequality by creating jobs that are often low paying which makes workers struggle to fulfill their needs. Exploitation of workers is commonly observed in this industrial sector where benefits such as retirement plans, or healthcare benefits are not provided to the workers. It is an undoubted fact that in the global economy the fast-food industry is one of the most significant industrial sectors that exemplifies the prominent features of consumer culture, globalization, and economic inequality. The economic implications include the business model of this industry that is highly dependent on the concept of McDonaldization, doctrines of control, predictability, and efficiency. On the other hand, there are certain societal consequences of the way the fast-food industry is dominating the global economy. It has impacts on environmental sustainability, health outcomes of consumers, and dietary habits of consumers. It also influences the way consumer culture is shaped as well as how people commodify in their everyday life.  In the fast-food industry, we cannot overlook the influence of neoliberalism, labor exploitation, and capitalism. Labor conditions are never considered significant factors contributing to the success of the dominant position of the fast-food industry on the global platform. People are still in the belief that the working class might never have the opportunity to grow and advance and move to the next level, concerns that also remain within discussions of policy makers because proactive actions are still not implemented. The fast-food industry is growing rapidly, living harmful health consequences as well. Additionally, sociological issues are associated with the fast-food industry when the connection between the economy and work structure in this industry are considered. It is very important to understand the sociological significance of the industry on economic and work structures because people should think how things can be improved by taking better care of working conditions, labor force, and sustainability. It is also important to consider how negative impacts of fast food in the street on health conditions can be eliminated.

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Ehrenreich, Nickeled and Dimed 06/27/2024

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Ehrenreich, Nickeled and Dimed 06/27/2024

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The technocratic and holistic models highlight opposite ends of the spectrum of beliefs about cultural life and birth. If we look at the ideological conflicts between holistic healing and biomedicine, we can understand the differences in opinions and beliefs that shape how people would respond to treating a disease either by focusing on holistic healing processes or biomedicine. Similarly, industrialists and ecological activists have differences in opinions that often lead to conflicts among them. These groups are more oriented to core values because of which they struggle over the future regarding their beliefs about their rituals that day daily enact. From historical events in the United States, we can observe how women struggled to attain equality with men and experienced several cultural fronts. In fact, the cultural treatment of birth can be considered as one of the most revealing indicators highlighting women's status in a given society. Women are taught profound lessons about defectiveness and weaknesses of their body and power of technology through their ritual transformation during birth in the United States. Similarly, in hospitals the status of women as individuals is considered subordinate status that is reinforced by the patriarchal nature of technocracy.

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Leidner, Over the Counter at McDonald's 06/27/2024

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Leidner, Over the Counter at McDonald's 06/27/2024

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In "Over the Counter at McDonald's," found in James M. Henslin's "Down to Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings," Robin Leidner searches through the working conditions and organizational culture at McDonald's for broader sociological concepts related to work and control within the service industry. Leidner addresses the high degree of standardization and control maintained by McDonald's in providing a standardized product and service experience. This goes to the extreme of training employees, where workers will pay attention to specific scripts and routines which dictate interaction with customers, reducing task complexity, although at a cost to employee autonomy. This emphasis on efficiency and predictability of the company is squarely aligned with the concept of "McDonaldization." It puts great emphasis on streamlined processes that maximize aspects of efficiency, especially for customers who do not have to wait very long. Leidner examines the consequences of such a controlled environment upon workers, arguing that while this environment generates jobs for relatively unskilled workers, it is likely to be highly boring, with little opportunity to reach higher positions, which generates high rates of turnover. Customer contact is also standardized to be friendly but speedy, producing a cheerful but shallow environment.  Case studies such as McDonald's offer Leidner a platform to draw broader points about work, control, and the rationalization of everyday life in a way that readers can consider these dynamics operating elsewhere within the service industry and workers with consumers across the board. The analysis brings out a tension between efficiency and human autonomy, while at the same time putting the trends in perspective.

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Wishard, Caught Between the Ages 06/27/2024

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Wishard, Caught Between the Ages 06/27/2024

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In "Caught Between the Ages," part of James M. Henslin's "Down to Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings," John Wishard has tried to bring out the deep social changes in the indiscriminate upheavals and pangs of dislocation humanity feels while crossing over from an industrial society into an informational one. Wishard speaks of the technological innovation in communications and information processing that has changed social relations, job milieus, and even personal identity. The very rapidity of the change can be very easy to leave one with the feeling of being torn between eras—the sense of inexperience at living according to new norms but, yet substantially guided by old ones. Wishard stresses that it is difficult to take a sense of stability and coherence from a world where traditional values and practices are ever more significantly questioned and remodeled. He also holds the belief that this period of transition is linked with another kind of cultural tension: that of human beings, insofar as they struggle to combine this progress of technology with all the improvements and changes it has brought into their lives. This essay looks at the psychological and social dimensions of living through such transformative times and, in particular, the challenge of reconciling continuity with change at the level of the individual and society.

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Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann introduce in "Corporate Ideologies" the idea of how corporations shape societal values and beliefs with ideology. It discusses the means by which businesses propagate certain worldviews in order to retain dominance and acquire influence over consumer behavior. Often, these ideologies thus promote a belief in congruence: corporate interests align with the public interest and hence justify practices that benefit most the corporation. The authors underline how these narratives are embedded within everyday life and, in subtle ways, reinforce corporate power and powerlessness vis-à-vis critical scrutiny about their impacts on society and people. This chapter is particularly opening one's eyes since it reveals mechanisms that are frequently concealed about ways corporations shape our perceptions and choices. It encourages us to think critically about the media we expose ourselves to and the brands we use, calling for recognition and questioning of the motives behind and larger social ramifications of corporate messages. This will underline the fact that corporate power is ever-present in our lives and that there is an absolute need to adopt a critical and informed perspective on the issue.

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"Amongst the billions of people in this world, the most striking observation by many would be the differences among each one". In "Coffee Shop Ethnography," Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann describe the coffee shop as an encapsulation of social life, expressing to readers how these spaces perform and promote the social hub. It interprets the ways by which ethnographic methods operate to engage queries concerning the interactions, behaviors, and social dynamics taking place within coffee shops and the environments that foster community and social connections. They also talk about the cultural meaning associated with coffee shops—that they reflect larger social patterns of consumer lifestyle choices. This section emphasizes the importance of everyday spaces in understanding social structures and interactions and, therefore, gets on to venture a ransom and sophisticated exploration into how people use and purport meaning onto shared public spaces. More specifically, from the student's point of view, what the chapter drove home was the value of ethnographic research in sociology and the power of observing and taking meaning from everyday social situations.

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Amongst the billions of people in this world, the most striking observation by many would be the differences among each one. People have specialized in their efforts to understand beyond their senses and how it had become to be the way it is. It is true that pictures can tell a thousand words how a simple action can mean more than one thing to a lot of people. Social sciences and its branches provide a wide area of study, each science specializing in one aspect. Anthropology, one of the most popularly known social sciences, studies how man and its society interact with its environment (Harris, 1997). Undoubtedly, there have been no disagreements on how man form culture which can be both micro and macro in a mans perspective. Edward Taylor, a British anthropology, defined culture to represent to totality of the human world from material culture such as social infrastructures, developed landscapes to the abstract culture such as knowledge, beliefs and practices (Taylor, 1920).

Anthropology studies deeper than what can be observed by mans senses instead, it uses data gathered to understand the meaning deeper than their actions and answer the common questions of why and how. Most often than not, it is usually understood as a result of culture
Shelter, next to food and water, stands as one of the most basic needs of man. With shelter we are provided protection, comfort, and a place for interaction. The home is the most common known shelter but nowadays, any place with a roof and walls can be considered as one. With the environment adapting to the culture of society, establishments have been built to act as a form of shelter to people. Restaurants provide shelter and sustenance. Similarly, a coffee shop provides shelter, comfort and sustenance as well. Coffee shops have evolved from a mere stand that sells coffee and a sandwich to an establishment that sells coffee, a variety of pastries and furniture for comfort while taking the time to sip a glass of coffee. It is popularly known to be a cozy place that serves a variety of beverages and pastries just enough to get you full for your length of stay. It serves as a venue for studying, for interaction and for peace and quiet for most people.

In this paper, the researcher spent some time inside a coffee shop observing the movement of people. People were not always leaving some would spend time to take their seat on a chair or a sofa to drink their coffee and to do what they came inside the coffee shop for. It was easy to blend because it seemed like the researcher was only studying while taking down notes of her observation. There lots of room to move around, transferring from one table to another would help in observing and making a detailed observation of what happened. From time to time, buying coffee or interacting with the people around would be needed as a form of participation in the area. While observing, the researcher was able to develop themes within the small establishment. The goal is to find the particular differences amongst the strong patterns of activity within the shop. Moreover, it is the role of the participant to use his observations as a tool to gathering more data by initiating participation in the action of others. Two of the most important questions to be answered are the following Why do most people choose a coffee shop to study or work over a library or a place more conducive to concentration What kind of interactions happens inside the coffee shop

SETTING AND CONTEXT
One of the most common coffee shop and is well liked by people is Starbucks Coffee. It can be found in every city and would follow a standardized pattern in their interior designing. Starbucks interiors were designed for the purpose of providing comfort to their customers. Consequently, their place is packed with a menu, a barista to serve, and variety of coffee and pastries to address to customers from different age groups. The room is air-conditioned well. More often than not, its temperature is set too low that it makes one feel like it is winter. Perhaps it is a strategy of Starbucks or any coffee shop to make their customers buy a hot drink. Nonetheless, it serves as a good venue during the hot days. Different tables were arranged accordingly to ensure it can accommodate numerous customers who had come to stay for a long period of time while making it seem spacious. Some chairs have been placed outside as well to accommodate those who enjoy fresh air. Most of the time, those who would sit outside were those who were smokers. Inside, one can find a stack of magazines and the most recent issue of newspaper. I believe it accommodates those who wish to lounge and spend some time reading for current events or would like some peace and quiet like
I had come for. It would be a place for a sort-of-getaway from the busy life however, it can also be a place for comfort to aid one from their busy life by providing a venue to study or to do work. Several electricity outlets are stationed in different parts of the establishment for customers who wish to use their laptops. Normally, outlets are usually filled as there is a constant flow of people who come in to use their laptops. Chairs are also arranged around the fireplace to accommodate those who have come in to just read and do not have a lot of books or notebooks to write on. Each area provides for a specific purpose.

While some studied, the others would work. One girl spent most of her time talking on the phone than reading her book or using her laptop. It appeared as if she was working on organizing an event as she kept making calls and getting calls. The venue created an atmosphere of silence. It is a suitable place for an informal meeting over a cup of coffee. Moreover, people who are in meetings do not appear to be uncomfortable in providing their insights nor hiding their expressions. Although there were a lot of movement, people entering would seem to be talking in a volume that would not be too distracting for other people. People would laugh in soft tones. When a mother came in with two boys to buy them some desserts, one of the children disrupted a lot of people in the room by making loud whines. This resulted to a lot of customers giving the mother a disapproving look.

ANALYSIS
This paper will be using the theory of Functionalism behind any thought, questions don e during the field notes. I chose this theory because it seemed to be the most applicable to the present moreover, it seemed like a reaction to the outdated ideologies of other anthropologists.

According to Bronislaw Malinowski (1984), a well known anthropologist and one of the first researchers to do ethnography, believed there is a difference between the views of the people within the society or whom Malinowksi referred to as actors and the analysts. He introduced analysis of society in a participant observation method. He stated that integrating all the details observed, the sociological blend of different relevant factors, is the role of the ethnographer. Each detail observed, as a result of culture response, serves a function to the attainment of mans basic needs. This is apparent in the idea behind why infrastructures and its design are developed according to their goal of attracting their clients by accommodating their needs. In this case, coffee shops establishments are developed in the most suited way possible to accommodate their customers needs. More outlets are made instead of the usual frequency you find at home to accommodate those who use a laptop moreover, free internet is provided to attract their customers. Another proof would be the aura that is provided by the coffee shop to be a venue suitable for studying, working or relaxing.

These aid the idea of Malinowksi that the needs of individuals are satisfied by the social structure of their culture (Barnard and Spencer, 1996). Likewise, customers as part of the society or culture within the area also play a part in providing for the needs of others. Malinowski stated seven basic needs that humans have that should be provided by culture to be fully functional namely metabolism reproduction safety movement health bodily comforts and growth. A coffee shop is capable of providing for all of these. You can buy very good pastries and sometimes even delicacies in Starbucks or other coffee shops that will sustain your metabolism the closed space but equally wide area enables customers like us for safety and movement interior designing allows bodily comforts and so on.

The idea behind every coffee shop owners strategy is not the coffee. Its to how to attract their customers inside their shop by providing amenities to suit their needs which will eventually lead them to buy their coffee. As a common practice, it is courteous to buy coffee to be able to use the services being provided by their shop. Rarely do we find people lounging inside without buying a coffee unless they do not have plans of staying long. The amenities serve as a function in culture to provide for the needs of the individual. The focal point of this idea is the individual whilst the individual also contributes as a function to the society.

Another observation that was interesting is how everything can be interconnected with another. When observing people inside the coffee shop as a group, it is apparent that everybody reacts in strong patterns although slightly in different means. People, as a form of respect to others, would communicate in soft voices so as not to disrupt the peacefulness of the place otherwise people react to the noise that they hear.

Customers go to their spots according to their needs such as a man with a laptop would go to a table nearby an outlet a customer who wishes to read a book would sit by the fireplace that did not have tables or, a student would go to an area with a spacious table to put his books and notebooks on. This is supported by the functionalist idea which states that one activity is connect to another while incorporating the known culture with the group in context (Garbarino, 1983).

In the scene that was earlier witnessed between a few gentlemen talking over a somewhat informal meeting. They were dressed in business suits but their aura seemed light as if what they were talking about were not too serious while some were still able to laugh subtly. This scene was striking because it shows an example of the difference between what behaviour should be done at a coffee shop and between what they are actually doing. It is given that people, in respect of others, should be talking at a minimal volume. So why is a coffee shop so conducive for a business meeting Some questions were brought up such as why they chose the coffee shop for a meeting. When I asked one man who stood up to get some water, he said that Starbucks was a place that did not require too much silence yet they still maintained a low voice. The meeting was not too serious, as per the businessman, and they were still able to understand each other despite the low voice and they enjoyed the comforts of the establishment as a bonus to their very productive meeting.

Upon buying what seemed to be my second cup of coffee for the day, I asked the bartender why people come at the coffee shop to meet with other people. His reply was simple, it was because it is where the coffee is at. I asked why talks were always accompanied by coffee he stated that It had been that way for a very long time. Coffee compliments long talks and discussions. Similarly, in a macroscopic view, society is structured into a working unity with parts working with other parts to maintain a whole (Broce, 1973). Any beverage, hot or cold, depending on the weather accommodates the need of a person during a long conversation. Also, it enables the conversation to prolong as they do more talking than drinking.

The theory of Functionalism which Malinowski supported is very helpful in the field of Anthropology. Other than the fact that it explains how culture can function for the society and merely a result to mans actions is interesting, it provided an insight on why establishments were made that way. It explained why people enjoy going to a coffee shop with some spending most of their time inside. The culture within the society of people in a coffee shop opens people to the satisfaction of their basic needs. Who does not want their needs to be satisfied This research opened ideas to how a coffee shop should be designed and how the people inside the establishment can react according to the culture and atmosphere that it provided.

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Amongst the billions of people in this world, the most striking observation by many would be the differences among each one. People have sp...

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In the article "Shopping for 'We-ness'", Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann discuss ways through which shopping experiences can help elicit communal or collective identity, or "we-ness." From the article, it is understood that people use shopping not as a way of simply getting goods but rather as a way of reinforcing group bonds and visibly expressing shared identities. The authors have used a variety of examples to illustrate the way in which shopping environments and consumer choices both mirrored and shaped social relationships, communal ties, and cultural affiliations. This reaches the epitome of sociological meaning for consumer behavior, given that it puts forward many examples demonstrating how the act of shopping can be a ritual enhancing social cohesion and an expression of collective values. Most importantly, from the student's point of view, it pays attention to different everyday activities regarding just the way in which they complicate social integration and identity formation.

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In "Fight for $15", Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann delve into the social movement for a $15 minimum wage. It shall be approached from a sociological perspective of how corporate ideologies come to intersect with labor rights and economic inequality. One establishes how many corporations generally view profit before the welfare of workers, hence sustaining continuously low wages and bad working conditions. They further deconstruct how the Fight for $15 movement challenges corporate ideologies by bringing into view low-wage workers' struggles for fair compensation. Through this struggle, not only was there representation of income inequality but refraction of values in society with respect to labor and justice. The Fight for $15 is an illustration of how grassroots movements can challenge hegemonic economic structures and advance social change by mobilizing workers and garnering public awareness for income inequality. It has also made us understand what happens within the labor market in regard to power balance and social activism for economic justice. From this chapter, it has been identified that corporate ideology often considers profit maximization and efficiency more important than workers inequality which in turn leads to labor exploitation and economic inequality. The movement, the Fight for $15 can be considered a response to the conventional corporate ideologies with the aim of uplifting workers who are generally paid low wages. It is all about considering the establishment of fairness and equality as well as improved working conditions for workers. Since the historical time, low wage workers have been experiencing exploitation and struggles because employers have remained reluctant to their well-being. It is high time now to promote equity and fairness in economic systems. To address income disparities, system change is needed where public awareness is one of the most important aspects. This chapter makes us think about the way social movements have significantly contributed to economic justice and collective action in response to dominant corporate policies and practices. Strong reforms are needed in the systemic structures as well as socio economic structures so that inequalities can be minimized and eventually eradicated.

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Ten years ago next week, 200 fast-food workers walked out at 20 New York City restaurants, demanding $15 an hour in pay. At the time, many observers scoffed at $15 as an absurd, pie-in-the-sky demand. As the movement's anniversary approaches, the Fight for $15 movement has proven the naysayers wrong.

Congress has failed to increase the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. But across the country, states and companies have raised wages in the wake of Fight for $15's efforts. While, for many, $15 an hour is still too low, the increases have been especially important in the current era of rising inflation.

Twelve states and Washington DC have adopted a $15 minimum hourly wage, although in many states it's being phased in. Even deep-red Nebraska has embraced a $15 minimum, while Hawaii has approved an impressive $18 minimum to be phased in between now and 2028.

"The movement's success is inspirational," said Yannet Lathrop, a policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project. " It has helped 26 million workers across the US win $150bn per year in additional pay. Its impact for workers of color is significant. About 12 million workers of color have benefited and their additional earnings are $76bn a year." For workers whose wages rose, this means an average raise of roughly $6,000 a year.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) helped create and underwrite the Fight for $15 movement because it believed that the US was paying far too little attention to the plight of low-wage workers. Fight for $15 began in New York and relied on a series of one-day strikes that inspired fast-food workers in other cities. It ultimately expanded to staging strikes in 340 US cities on the movement's fourth anniversary in 2016.

"The key accomplishment was that the Fight for $15, which was led by black, brown and immigrant workers all across the country, taught all workers that when you join together you can make changes in your jobs and in your lives," Mary Kay Henry, the SEIU's president, told the Guardian.

"Twenty-six million workers have seen their wages go up to $15. That is a standard that was scoffed at when it started, but that standard is now getting challenged for demands for an ever-higher minimum, which is a real indicator of success."

"The Fight for $15", Henry added, "has changed the way the country thinks about wages, the way elected officials think about wages, and the way economists think about wages."

Frances Holmes, a fast-food worker in St Louis, Missouri, is glad that her pay has jumped from $7.75 an hour a decade ago to $15 today. "I was able to move from an apartment to a house," she said. "I was able to afford to buy bacon again, but it's still a struggle living on $15. They don't give you enough hours to work each week. Our biggest hope is to have a union. That would help us get more money and more hours."

Not all of the campaign's initial aims have panned out. Its original goal was "$15 and a union", and while it has racked up major successes in raising wages, it has failed to unionize any fast-food workers. One reason is that its pressure campaign against McDonald's has not gotten the fast-food giant to agree not to oppose unionization efforts.

"The Fight for $15 has lifted up the whole issue of the pathetic state of the minimum wage," said Ruth Milkman, a sociologist at the City University of New York's School of Labor and Urban Studies. "In terms of pushing the envelope to make the utopian real, it was extremely successful, at least in blue cities and states."

"As for its stated goal of '$15 and a union'," Milkman added, "the second half of that has not taken place." She said the movement's assumption that it could get the federal government to declare that heavily franchised companies like McDonald's were joint employers "turned out to be wrong". If the government considered McDonald's to be a joint employer with its franchisees, it would make it far easier for employees of the fast-food giant to unionize and win contracts that would cover many of its locations, rather than having to negotiate many individual contracts with individual franchisees.

"It's pretty tough to unionize in the fast-food sector without the joint employer thing," Milkman said.

With their successes on the wage front and lack of success on the unionization front, workers and strategists behind Fight for $15 are trying to figure out their next steps. One ambitious new initiative has been to set up a new group, the Union of Southern Service Workers, to help workers across the southern region of the US, where the Fight for $15 movement has had the least success in getting employers and states to raise pay.

Last weekend, more than 100 fast-food, retail, healthcare, warehouse and other workers from the south's service economy met in Columbia, South Carolina, to launch this new, non-traditional union. The organizers said the effort would seek to unite "workers across workplaces plagued by low pay, high turnover and a legacy of racism".

Terrence Wise, a Taco Bell worker and Fight for $15 leader who attended the South Carolina meeting that founded the new union, said: "We're going to do whatever it takes: go on strike, do civil disobedience, do union elections, target the employer in any way possible. That's what's unique about this. It's across different industries.

"We know that wages are lowest in the south, and we know the history of the south: slavery, plantations, union-busting," Wise continued. "Racial inequality is baked into the country and especially the southern states. We know we can win in California and New York. Don't you want to take the fight where it's hardest to win, where it's most challenging? That means the south."

This new union may push for union elections at nursing homes in Mississippi or stage protests at Amazon warehouses in Georgia over safety problems there.

Wise said another goal of the South Carolina meeting was to help develop new leaders, people like Lizett Aguilar, a McDonald's worker in Los Angeles. Aguilar said the biggest effect of Fight for $15 for her hasn't been that her pay rose to $16 an hour from $8.50 a decade ago, but that "the Fight for $15 has helped me lose my fear about speaking out against injustice". Aguilar has helped lead marches and knocked on legislators' doors to win passage of California's Assembly Bill 257 (AB 257), which has set up a type of sectoral bargaining for more than 550,000 California fast-food workers to help them get raises and reduce wage theft and sexual harassment.

Fight for $15 leaders say their movement helped inspire the union drives at Starbucks and Amazon. Indeed, some activists say the Fight for $15 movement should seek to help the unionization wave grow faster and further by copying the Starbucks campaign and pushing to unionize hundreds of McDonald's restaurants, despite the lack of joint employer status.

But some Fight for $15 leaders don't see that as a formula for success. SEIU president Henry said: "Bargaining store by store in a franchised industry is not going to give workers the power they need. That's why we will fight to pass legislation like AB 257 in other states."

Terrence Wise feels considerable pride when he hears that Bank of America announced a $15 minimum wage in 2017 and a $22 minimum wage recently. "Whenever I hear about wages being increased - just the other week in Nebraska, or when we hear about Starbucks workers forming a union or Amazon workers challenging Jeff Bezos - that kind of change is real, and we know it was inspired by the Fight for $15 and those workers in New York City walking out 10 years ago," Wise said.

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'The success is inspirational': the Fight for $15 movement 10 years on

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Federal lawmakers failed to increase the minimum wage, but US workers made other gains, and they are setting their sights on new goals

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How has your social class affected your life and choices?

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How has your social class affected your life and choices?

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Witnessing life in a typical middle class American family had a very significant influence on my life and decisions. Thus financial stability became a reliable protection and chance since the childhood. It was always underlined that formal education is a key to success and subsequent stability in one’s lifestyle. From my side, I have learned the values of hard work and saving for the future as my parents were teaching me from childhood, I have to be responsible, so I was showing responsibility in everything that I was doing.

Thus, in the social context perceiving oneself and behaving as a middle-class individual involved an interaction between the classes. There was a need to be like other people but be conscious of the money factor at the same time. This often dictated what actions were taken, when and where vacations were to be taken, and even what to wear. The middle-class influenced me to learn the essence of values over substance items, and the ability to plan a budget.

Because of middle-class culture people sought careers that were stable and had practical applications in their everyday lives. Writing there were incentives to take up jobs that were more secure and rewarding in terms of remunerations and other privileges more often than not obtained by professional employees such as teachers, nurse or engineers. People considered business as being associated with some risks which could however be overcome with egg-and-butter through dedicated efforts.

All in all, I consider myself to be a middle-class individual, where the beliefs influenced by this social status include education, as well as the importance of finance and volunteering in society. Out of all the lessons I have learned in University, these two lessons stand out the most There has been a time I was faced with an economic crisis, Theoretical knowledge was not enough, but it taught me that I can always stand up again It also taught me a lesson of having lofty goals but also be realistic. These values remain relevant to me up to date, and I always apply them when making choices and handling issues in my day to day life.

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Coffee: Class, Distinction, and "Good" Taste

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Coffee: Class, Distinction, and "Good" Taste

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This chapter does a stellar job of explaining how our consumer culture and behaviors are the reflection of the coming class divide. This supports the concept of no choice being individualistic but rather, this highlights the fact that choices are socially interpolated. The case of consuming coffee is relevant in this sense as it has a daily aspect of people’s lives while having a much deeper meaning than people’s choice of beverage.

Melissa is an excellent narrative where this woman quit consuming something she despised but decided to carry on drinking coffee. It accentuates how much social dealings can become institutionalised, thus raising the discourse of their existence without prior intention from the people. Melissa’s routine was less about coffee, but about drinking it thus pointing to the fact that our habits are determined by the society we find ourselves in and the standards that it sets.

The notion established by Thorstein Veblen known as conspicuous consumption is very important in comprehending how consumption procedures can designate status. According to Veblen, consumption patterns where goods are bought to display the purchasing power exist and this passes through several scale classes and societal levels, thus the cycle of emulation is set in practice. This phenomenon can be evidenced when it comes to such aspects as luxury consumables and services, as well as a routine such as coffee consumption.

The chapter also creates a good link between coffee intake and other structures of economics and societies. It discusses how this $4 coffee is connected to commodity globalization and how the hardship of producers and workers is evident in big corporations around the world. This connection must be viewed as an urgent call to critically reflect on the consumption practices and corresponding consequences for people globally.

In addition, the background information given on the ‘Gilded Age’ coupled with the rat race that has been depicted in the consumption of the period informs the present-day society. Similarly, as today’s consumers may need to go to a specific coffee shop or purchase a particular brand to announce to the world that they are hip and can afford to do so, older societies felt the need to boast about having expensive tableware.
Altogether, this chapter provides a stimulating reflection on how the means endures and imprints the social class in the structures of consumer choice. It makes the readers think about their consumption and evaluate the consequences of those common practices.

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The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All HERBERT J. GANS 

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The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All HERBERT J. GANS 

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According to Herbert J. Gans, the poor have functions that are contrary to the general perception of a deprived class of people. Leaving aside this assertion as quite shocking, Gans in his turn claims that poverty does exist and continues to exist as it plays a number of roles which are useful to the representatives of various groups of society. For instance, it offers employment opportunity in areas like social work, Criminology and public health among other areas. Poverty also explains the roles of ‘poverty warriors,’ the media and journalism professionals, and social scientist personalities that establish careers out of eradicating poverty issues.

And yet, Gans’ view may not pay sufficient attention to some other major roles of the poor. For instance, the poor are used as the reference point when dealing with other societal challenges shifting focus from the system’s perversion and failures. Furthermore, poverty creates social bond among the non-poor people, people feel common or united in their hatred for the poor people.

Although Gans’ theory is provoking, there are several theories through which one can look at poverty sustainability. It can therefore be deduced that major social determinants of health, for instance, educational attainment, access to health care, and employment status, are major factors that lead to poverty. Moreover, following the welfare state’s structural adjustment programs that have included lower taxation for the rich and further business liberalization, poverty remains an inevitability.

To sum up, although Gans’ functional analysis of poverty exposes an uncomfortable reality of the advantages that somenadager groups receive from poverty, it is equally important to analyze the roles of such structural characteristics that maintain poverty in the society. They are as follows Thus, only by addressing these causes can there be a possibility of establishing equity in society.

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Coming from a working-class background, I have witnessed at close quarters what efforts parents have to put in so that their children should not remain deprived of the opportunities that are otherwise available to others. Such scenarios were not strange as my parents, like the majority of Middle Eastern workers, had to perform multiple jobs and sacrifice even basic needs to ensure that I aimed for and attained education and dreams they could not. The never-ending pursuit of better status is one of the typical stories of struggling for one’s improvement that has emerged from numerous working-class families that teach their children good work ethic and rejection of anything pointless right from the start.

The idea of ‘cultural capital’ that Morris and Grimes describe is very appealing to me I remember watching the television and never being able to relate to anything to do with ‘high’ culture when I was in childhood, hence it feels very ‘alien’ when you try to move in the middle-class tract. When entering college I remember feeling like I just did not belong there. The conversations my peers were having ranged from the intricacies of different tastes in music, art, and beautiful things in art exhibitions around the world, and travels in different countries—topics I could not talk much about due to lack of experience growing up in a rural area with little exposure to such a lifestyle at all. This greatly made me feel how some first-generation college students advocate; wondering whether I fit or could excel in that environment.

However, I never let these instigate me due to my working-class background which has endowed me with tenacity. I remember a class fellow Maria, whose parents have migrated to the United States of America and struggled a lot, taking up menial jobs. As was the case with my own parents, they also knew that education was the most important thing in Maria’s life. Although growing up in a poor family, Maria never dropped out of school and grew up to be a professional lawyer. Despite these peculiarities, her story was not all that different from mine because it also encompassed cultural clashes and self-questions, as well as the determination that is characteristic of people from the working class.

Although it is a shocker and severing of one’s social status, it does change one’s perception and gives a focus on opportunities. In managing these new cultural experiences in my life, I was able to assimilate them simultaneously with my parents’ instilled moral and work culture. It educates society with different experiences that improve the quality of life and shows that no matter the background one comes from, upward mobility is not only achievable but valuable.

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What is race?  What is ethnicity? What does it mean to say that race is socially constructed?

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What is race?  What is ethnicity? What does it mean to say that race is socially constructed?

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Race and ethnicity are the two most generic terms in vocabulary distinguishing people based on physical and cultural characteristics. Race refers to the categorization of human beings into groups based on skin color, facial features, texture of the hair, etc. Throughout history, these traits have been responsible for fitting people into distinct categories known as races. These traits have led people to believe that the respective races possess, inherently, biological differences. It is, however, critical to note that race is socially constructed and not a scientifically valid biological concept. That clearly states the notion of race as socially fabricated through social, political, and economic processes rather than generally stratified by genetic differences. The notion of races in defining people has changed across cultures, varied in different times in history, which changes to prove its arbitrariness and its constructed features.

Ethnicity, on the other hand, is based upon shared practices of culture, common perspectives, and the differences that separate one group of people from another. Ethnicity is most commonly tied to aspects like nationality, language, religion, and cultural heritage. While race is more associated with what the outer world perceives in a person, ethnicity deals more with self-definition and being of a group through cultural lineage and similar historical experiences. For example, a person may consider himself/herself Hispanic or Latino on account of cultural and linguistic affiliations to Latin America, regardless of race.

When we say that race is socially constructed, we mean that there exists no basis for race in terms of fixed or inherent biological differences but is created by and given meaning by society. In this way, the construction of race services a range of social functions, usually to reinforce power dynamics and social hierarchies. For example, racial categories have served at one time or another to underpin substantiated unequal treatment and discrimination, slavery history, segregation, and continuing racial inequalities. The social construction of race thus implies a changeability and evolution of these categories; their meanings have changed with context. Understanding race as a social construct certainly helps in challenging the validity of racial distinctions and begs for a more nuanced view of human diversity.

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The intersection of sports and race is filled with a great deal of knowledge of what is acted out in society in the world of athletics. One can gather from this pervasive nature of racial stereotyping and how it actually gauges clear perceptions and opportunities for athletes. For instance, the glorification of Black athletes based on their bodily prowess is normally undercut with stereotyping that degrades their intellectual contributions to the sport. This is a broader societal issue in which racial biases impact the way people are viewed and valued. Racial stacking is where athletes seem to go through certain positions based on stereotyping rather than actual skills and potential that a player may have. This not only reinforces racial biases but also decreases the growth and development of athletes, as opportunities are closed off to them so that diversification of skill sets occurs. Sometimes, positional segregation is also experienced by some people when they would be excluded from a group because of their lack of knowledge on the interest or areas that are related to the existing members of the groups. I have often observed that I was excluded from my brother’s group because I had very little knowledge of sports at that time. Moreover, male individuals would not easily accept females to join their group because they always perceived females as less talented in the domain of sports based on my gender.

Another critical lesson learned is the understanding of the socioeconomic barriers that sometimes cross boundaries with race in sports. This can relate to and be affected by one's racial and economic background, relating either to participation or simply making it to the top in a number of sports. That much reveals, therefore, that there is more work to do in taking steps toward more inclusivity and equitability in sports so that everyone has an equal opportunity to follow their passions. It is with regard to this role of the media that examination of the athletes' regard for public perceptions of them makes efforts to reinforce racial stereotypes through narratives or challenge them. It is therefore that this reflection places a need for a balanced and fair representation of athletes from all racial backgrounds to ensure their contribution is put across as inclusive and respectful. Investigations into the relationship between sport and race offer insight, at best, that is incisive and full of depth into how racial dynamics function within a given context.

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The relationship between music racism, and cultural aspects offer rich insights into the impacts of cultural dynamics and the influence of power structures on creative expression. To me, music has always been a medium to express our feelings and emotions and also to satisfy our soul. Different genres of music exhibit different expressions such as political expression of people are inconsistencies and conflicts between American dream and reality. Cultural practices are often adopted by socially powerful groups to resist several people from expressing their emotions or struggles. This makes me sad and upset because I have seen many people become the victim of social exploitation where they cannot express their emotions even through music.

However, many people still enjoy listening to music even in difficult times because music can heal our stressful mind and give us calmness and stress free movement. On the other hand, different individuals have different choices regarding music. Whatever type of music we like to listen to, we can always relate to the music or the video. It is an undoubted fact that music has often been considered an effective tool for activists to express their viewpoints and promote their movements. It helps them to raise mass awareness and reach out to a large mass of people. Systemic biases create, in this domain of music, a certain dynamic in racism—that some gain million-dollar opportunities simply because they are heard. There will be high entry barriers for the people of color usually: they will be expected to perform only certain genres that inhibit their creativity and opportunities for commerce. This lays out racial stereotypes that, in return, make the diversity of voices and views within the music industry smaller. For example, the use of elements of Black music is incorporated into mainstream culture, there is no regard to the history and social contexts from which they emerged, and the cycle of exploitation and marginalization continues.

It is in the same conversation about cultural appropriation that respect, acknowledgement, and equity in cultural exchange came out. There has to be a very apparent line between appreciation and appropriation, such that all ways of a culture can be shared out while giving credit to the origins and benefiting the people it emanates from. This reflection, therefore, encourages an industry rife with appropriation to be more considerate and respectful in its engagements with other people's cultures for a more diverse and inclusive sector. Overall, such relations among music, racism, and cultural appropriation shed light on the complicated process of cultural interaction and make avalanche-clear the importance of equity and respect in the domain of creative expression. This reinforces the continued necessity for dialogue and action toward developing a fairer and more inclusive music industry where everyone's voice is celebrated and uplifted.

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Any individual can experience different situations while countering identity and race. The psychological and emotional aspects associated with living in a society in which racial identity would be considered whether a target for discrimination or a source of status and pride can be highly impactful. African Americans experience several discriminations in a society as well as become the victim of racism which has its roots in the historical period in the United States of America. I think that every individual should be more oriented to self-acceptance, especially people who are included in marginalized communities. In everyday life, we can experience racism but that should not affect our psychological and emotional aspects because we all know that social structures have the challenges of racism that often affect our perceptions, opportunities, and interactions with others. We must learn to develop and prepare ourselves strong enough to navigate our society that would be racially charged. It is more important for us to embrace our own identity without focusing on societal pressures. We must develop empathy and understanding for everyone, especially for those who experience situations and events differently from us. We have to acknowledge our internal biases and challenge them so that we can help others to fight back ongoing struggles associated with identity and race. Diverse experiences must be recognized and our objective should be oriented to develop an equitable and inclusive society. We can share our personal stories or reflections with the hope of raising awareness and inducing greater understanding whereby we can address racial inequalities.

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BARBIES AND MONSTER TRUCKS: SOCIALIZATION AND“DOING GENDER” 

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BARBIES AND MONSTER TRUCKS: SOCIALIZATION AND“DOING GENDER” 

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The chapter "Barbies and Monster Trucks: The Topic of Socialization and ‘Doing Gender’ provides a thoughtful analysis for understanding gender socialization. It shows how even at a tender age, through toys, society’s standards and roles regarding gender are imposed on the individual. The story about Amy made me realize how pervasive the gender stereotype thinking is and how children are receptive to such thinking and that can come from our parents. Ideas like Amy’s friend, who only allows pink toys for her infant daughter, show how much pressure surrounds people, from the beginning of their lives.

Child daycare therefore plays a crucial socialization process that has such effects on children’s development and self-identities. Children’s toys, while seemingly ordinary objects, have the very specific purpose of informing boys and girls of their proper roles and acceptable activities. This can help restrain the teenager from venturing and experimenting in different spheres of life and, therefore, he or she can fail to develop diverse skills and interests. Raising the idea that gender is not a biological category but rather a social one, the chapter destabilizes the assumption that children’s preferences towards toys might be natural.

The differentiation in to sex and gender brought by sociologists is vital in this discussion. As for sex, it is a physiological trait that can be defined in the biological sense, whereas gender conveys the social aspects and the role of being male or female. This distinction contributes to the understanding that behaviors and characteristics considered typical for one gender or another are not in any way linked to the individual’s anatomical part. However, the chapter that describes the experiences of pinning intersex and transgender complications of the simplified gender binary impression is also elaborated in this chapter.

This could be seen in the story of Christine Williams’ where she experienced how socialization plays a pity; parents as well as children adolescents always adhere to the gender socialization. Nonetheless, her severe rejection of these ideas at the start and gradual conformity to them show the difficulty of liberation from the given cultural practice. This gives rise to several crucial questions about ways and means of creating a better environment that would let a child have as many opportunities to develop their personality and choose the directions of their activity in a less rigorous gender perspective.

Overall, the chapter makes a plea for a reflective evaluation of the nature and roles of toys and other mediational means that constitute children’s consumer culture and its contribution to gender socialization. It makes us acknowledge gender as constructed and encourages us to defy a black-and-white, male-female divide-restricted way of living. Thus, by applying these theories into practice, more children can be allowed to be children and not to be restricted by their gender roles in society.

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Chapter 11 LOOKING GOOD: IDEOLOGY, INTERSECTIONALITY, AND THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

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Chapter 11 LOOKING GOOD: IDEOLOGY, INTERSECTIONALITY, AND THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

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Beauty, ideology, and industrialism are three concepts that show the world their latent ideas about equity and worth. By examining the nature of beauty as a concept that is historical, cultural, and economical, this paper demonstrates that beauty is a system that is learned and not inborn. Beauty is culturally constructed and therefore encompasses standards that reflect the social discourses of a particular society- usually white, youthful, and slimmer bodies in Western societies.

The socially constructed aspect of beauty has ramifications. It supports stereotyping of gender especially women and puts them under a lot of pressure to meet certain standards. These pressures are likewise race-normed, meaning that the standard of beauty that is usually pushed is white, making women of color feel both unattractive and unworthy. Thus, the intersection of gender and race in defining beauty standards continues to strengthen both sexism and racism, thus the systematic sexualization of women of color.

These concepts are exploited in the beauty industry contributing to regulation and enhancement of dissatisfaction and cyclical consumption. This is a very sharp reflection of the constant marketing of beauty products which guarantees change and worth but continuously reiterates the feeling of ineffectiveness. This dynamic has been especially observed when moving from internal improvement toward the growth of the external body image, a change identified in Joan Jacobs Brumber’s research. The focus on buying beauty proves modern commodification and the intertwining of consumerism and the self.

Defining beauty as a societal construct helps in uncovering and challenging these ideas and their applications. It provokes an individual into thinking about the parameters and the boundaries of what is generally accepted about looks and pushes one into thinking about the whys and hows of these rules for identity. Similarly, the breakdown of the essence of beauty reveals many layers of societal contemplation that can help in the improvement of overall beauty standards.

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On Becoming Male:Reflections of a Sociologist on childhood and Early Socialization JAMES M. HENSLIN

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On Becoming Male:Reflections of a Sociologist on childhood and Early Socialization JAMES M. HENSLIN

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James M. Henslin's exploration in "On Becoming Male: ”Early Socialization and Childhood Through the Eyes of a Sociologist: A Discussion” provides revealing insights into the way boys are shaped for their part in a male-dominated world. According to Henslin, maleness is not even innate; it is learned through the process of socialization concerning cultural values and the ways parents bring them up. This perspective has less influence than the biological determinism perspective and gives priority to social learning for the development of gender.

Henslin’s personal experience and observation of the world around him shows that if not for a delicate cue, boys are being groomed to be the way they are. From the colors of their clothing, and the toys they are supposed to play with to even instructions given on how a boy should behave, there is a cultural direction on how to be masculine. It, therefore, becomes clear that these practices are well rooted and socially accepted hence occupying a reputable place and going unnoticed among parents and society.

This is especially the case when addressing the sex–gender dichotomy that Henslin rightly distinguishes. Thus, although our biological sex is predetermined, our gender is shaped and developed during the process of socialization and by cultural norms. This differentiation thus makes a sharp reminder of how there is the possibility of change in how gender roles are conceived and modeled. Currently, it is possible to rethink the patterns associated with masculinity and femininity since the appraisal of these attributes as inherent characteristics allows for changing them for the benefit of society.

Henslin’s ideas make the audience think about their childhoods and the procedures of gender role socialization. His consideration of cause-and-effect relation prompts the reflection about gender-based social roles and norms, insisting on raising societies that nurture individuals, free from the prejudice of their gender

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 On Becoming Female: Lessons Learned in School DONNA EDER

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 On Becoming Female: Lessons Learned in School DONNA EDER

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Donna Eder's article "On Becoming Female: Dysfunctional Femininity is a crucial part of ‘Lessons Learned in School,’ as it explores the social interactions of middle school girls, and uncovers important truths about female identity and mentality. Thinking about this, it can be seen how profound are the roots of beauty norms in every society and how early girls are introduced to them. Through close observation of the research team at Woodview Middle School, it is seen that how cheerleading as a sport is quite apparent with the concepts of beauty and thus has reinforced them. To be clear, appearance, neatness, and smiling through the pain, fortify an overpowering message that how a girl looks is of similar and possibly even greater value than what she can achieve.

This obsession with one’s appearance is not limited to specific events such as cheerleading but is now incorporated into social interactions. The story of boys using numbers to rate girls in terms of beauty can be considered to describe the phenomenon even more accurately. It highlights a disturbing reality: people, but particularly girls are given labels; and in most cases, their worth is determined by the size and shape of their bodies. Hence, constant policing contributes to the development of anxiety and self-consciousness among girls about themselves and their values. Emphasis on peers and remarks like ‘it’s a waste’ followed by ranking of fellow students as seen in the case of the girl's learning activities is an example of how and why these standards are easily infested among peers.

Besides, gossiping has positive and negative effects on the lives of girls most of the time. Still, it is a platform that contributes to the definition of standards many girls adhere to, and where girls monitor each other’s looks, promoting a culture of shaming. The cases where girls comment on each other’s dressing code and bodily shapes implying that they look too thin, too heavy, or are not fashionable enough give a clear picture of how appearance-based judgments seep into their peers’ interactions.

This emphasis on appearance does not only explain how the girls see themselves but also how they relate to others. It establishes a social order in which the beautiful are more valuable than those who are plain or unattractive as if beauty alone signified achievement merits. These experiences in the long run leave deep impressions into the female folk performance and efficacy germane to the female gender into adulthood. In One’s paper rise, Eder offers a fascinating portrayal of this type of conditioning among young people, making us reflect upon how this process might be changed to adopt a more inclusive and accurate vision of the female self-image.

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Sexuality and Gender in Children’s Daily Worlds

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Sexuality and Gender in Children’s Daily Worlds

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The study by Barrie Thorne and Zella Luria offers a substantive insight into how children’s play merely enacts gender-related roles that continue into adult life. What is remarkable is that the researchers underline how strict and cautious boys and girls are about the division of play activities. ‘Boys and girls play different games and have their different groups of friends’ is an observation that rings so true in most a child’s social conduct that it underlines the extent to which such behaviors are not arbitrary but sociologically laden.

Highlighted in the study is the following issue, namely, the differences in the social organization of boys and girls. Group situations of boys are characterized by competition and testing of boundaries that contribute to their independence and the mastery of hierarchy. However, girls’ play is all about reciprocal cooperation, and it involves a lot of emotions such as touching. Using these interactions children are prepared for the occupation of the post projections of the adult gender roles: the boy acts independently, and assertively, while the girl is oriented to care, and relationships.

Thorne and Luria’s research is especially informative in exploring how continuity in children’s same-sex play experience and gender scripts in adulthood is fostered. Besides the usage of ‘dirty talk’ and the notion of breaking rules among boys, it is demonstrated that early socialization in gender roles implies the processes of learning the behaviors that indicate dominance. While boys’ rule-breaking conducts and larger, agonistically structured groups indicate socialization into a mold of domination, girls’ rule-supporting behaviors, and composition of groups with fewer children indicate socialization into compliance.

This study adds an important angle of understanding how children’s interactions based on gender are encouraged, and further how differing treatment associated with a boy’s and girl’s play is essential in the construction of gender in adult life. It compels us to think about the significance of such factors for lifelong social relationships and how to modify childhood socialization processes to increase Mainstream culture's prevalence.

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“But What Do You Mean?”Women and Men in Conversation   DEBORAH TANNEN 

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“But What Do You Mean?”Women and Men in Conversation   DEBORAH TANNEN 

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In analyzing gendered communication patterns in “But What Do You Mean? Women and Men in Conversation,” Deborah Tannen shows how interactional practices dictated by social conventions govern interactions between men and women and cause confusion. All these observations are also true in my premises, mainly in the professional environment. For instance, in the case of apologies Tannen shows how women may use the word sorry to keep a friendly relationship while men can interpret this as an acknowledgment of guilt. Thus, this difference in interpretation can be destructive to women's perceived organizational competence; something that I have personally witnessed in workplace meetings where women are seen to apologize even when the situation does not warrant it while men do not.

However, I do agree with Tannen concerning the act of thanking about the argument that such a gesture is a ritual. “Thank you” is employed by females as a way of setting a positive tone to interactions, hence does not bring the pleasure women get from its use when men fail to respond in the same fashion. This lexical reciprocity is a barely veiled way of maintaining a relationship, but this sometimes proves to be destructive if it is not recognized or returned in kind.

The most noticeable feature in Tannen’s work is the comparative treatment of the reception ago criticism and received praise. It may prove that whereas a man will plain out comment, a woman will always try to sugarcoat it and even attempt to compliment the receiver. These differences can result in women feeling insecure if the feedback they receive entails no encouragement besides criticism. I have found that promoting both reserved and expressive styles makes it possible and easy to improve the flow of communication between people.

In sum, the works of Tannen can be cited to recognize and control gender differences to improve communication. As such, people and organizations can work towards improving positive relations between them, following an understanding of the above elements of masculinity, thus helping both sexes.

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Women in the Military               LAURA L. MILLER         

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Women in the Military               LAURA L. MILLER         

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Analyzing the key aspects of women in the military, Laura L. Miller gives an account of the aspects of gender integration in the context of the male-dominated spheres. In her study, she shows how military women encounter structurally similar types of resistant practices as the powerless but it is used by the powerful, specifically men. This counterintuitive finding is rather a vivid example of the fact that gender bias is now almost everywhere to prevent women from having equal opportunities even under the conditions of very scheduled institutions such as the military.

Women employees in the military reported that subservience to the male-dominated force is achievable through the following; Miller’s study revealed that gender harassment common in military men between 1992 and 1994 included calling a woman’s work, spreading rumors, and sabotage among others. This behavior is a result of a belief held by male colleagues that for women to be in such a position, most likely, their positions were procured authoritatively and that women utilize their gender to propeller themselves to higher offices than what is rightfully deserved. Perceptions such as these lead the male gender to believe that they are oppressed by military women, which leads to what seems like an open as well as a hidden conflict in the military.

Miller identifies several differences among the various forms of workplace harassment, sexual and gender being one of them. While sexual harassment comprises a sexual gesture that is unwanted by the recipient or just ignoring her, gender harassment includes many acts that seek to remind women of the appropriate gender roles or question the competency of female leaders. This type of image harassment is not less difficult to make a point on how it might interfere with female employees’ performance, promotion opportunities, and even well-being as much as sexual harassment does.

Miller’s work also explains the paramount issues that women in particular encounter in leadership roles. These women often encounter some sort of reluctance from the male subordinates particularly when they have to obey a woman. This resistance is usually expressed in setting tactics such as delay, denial of knowledge of certain directives about their work, and other forms of subversion that are not severe enough to warrant disciplinary actions but which subvert women’s authority nonetheless. Additionally, the theme under discussion states that women in the military are in the limelight and hence, they feel more pressured than men to demonstrate their efficiency. Such scrutiny can result in increased levels of stress and fairly developed feelings of victimization; elements that can work to make the situation even worse as far as leadership is concerned.

The other moral issue that Miller has raised is About Women’s sexuality or the private spheres of their lives, rumors, and gossip. Such rumors tend to challenge women’s moral standing and thereby professionalism purporting to subject women to extra pressure and discriminate against them. While men are often judged and named based on their career or their position, women are often judged for their intimacy, and those judgments create a hostile atmosphere in the workplace that erases women’s career success.

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I do not believe in shaming a child for their preference in gender of toys, if a little boy prefers to play with Barbie dolls rather than cars in some parents eyes this make a little child more feminine but how could this be when a child’s brain is still developing they’re still being taught right from wrong. I think society pushes their beliefs on small children and the adults watching over them try to guide them the way society pushes them to be rather than letting kids be kids. Personally, I don’t think if my two year old daughter decided she liked to play with cars more than Barbie’s this determines her sexuality when she’s an adult that would be unfair for me to assume on the small basis of a toy, but still this happens. Children who are still learning the world are shamed for simply liking the opposite gender toy and that I will never agree with or stand for it personally. In the article, it was stated that her parents allowed her to play with opposite gender toys with no judgement and she liked to do it but because of this should we assume that she’s interested in the same sex? No- if it worked that way I’m sure things would have turned out very differently for our author. All in all the parents are responsible for how they decided to guide their child or children through life confining them to unnecessary conditions and stresses are what I believe trigger the negative emotions and thoughts into children. When I say just let kids be kids this is not the same as let kids do what they want rather let them have fun and do not confine them to strict gender rules when it comes to their toys because you are afraid that this affects their sexuality when in reality they just want to have fun.

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My answer: Race is how the world chose to define and interpret people, because of the color of your skin, your ethnicity in this world you are predestined to be something or to not be therefore race is a category.

What race are you? I am African American .

How do you know? Based on my characteristics this was determined I know that I am a black female because my mother is a black female and my father is black male therefore it’s determined that based on my ancestors genetics I am black.

How did I make this decision? This is based on genetics therefore the decision was predestined for me because of the family I was born in so it was not a decision I made nor a choice rather the way I was destined to be.

Person 1: What race are you?

Response: I am black and Mexican

Person 1: How do you know?

Response: Because on my birth certificate this is written and my mother is Mexican and my dad is black.

Person 1: How did you make this decision?

I didn’t, God did- he makes the rules and I walk the life he has predetermined for me.~ Anthony

Person 2: What race are you?

Response: I am African American

Person 2: How do you know?

Response: Because when I look in the mirror the color of my skin appears darker than others, my features are different from those of a different race than me therefore I am black.

Person 2:How did you make this decision?

Response: I made this decision based on my features, ancestors and skin tone. ~ Stephanie

Person 3: What race are you?

Response: Polynesian

Person 3: How do you know?

Response: Because the family around me is Polynesian, I was born into this race/culture which makes me also Polynesian.

Person 3: How did you make this decision?

Response: how can you make a decision about race when you have no say so?~ llamalina

Person 4: What race are you?

Response: I am Mexican.

Person 4: How do you know?

Response: I speak Spanish, my mother speaks Spanish and so does my kids I am Mexican.

Person 4: How did you make this decision?

Response: I made this decision because (long pause at least 5 minutes) I made this decision because my mother always told me I was Mexican and it’s on all my documents plus I am an immigrant who worked for citizenship originally from Mexico so that’s how I know I am Mexican ~ Jason

Person 5: What race are you?

Response: Black & White.

Person 5: How do you know?

Response: If you want the real answer I know because my mother is a white woman and my dad is a black man.

Person 5: How did you make this decision?

Response: I had no say so (hahahaha) but I could say I just assumed? Because my parents are of this race so am I. ~Christopher

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I agree with this reading, why is our society pretending to be accepting of people who live different lifestyles than that of themselves? As little children we as the adults should not confine them to our beliefs because we are afraid of how one society will view them and two this will alter their behavior and beliefs when they are older. The way a child grows up and turns out is not defined by the toys they pick up as a child it is not right to assume if a girl likes to play with Lego’s and a boy likes to play with a pink Barbie car they will grow up to be a lesbian or a gay man now that just sounds outrageous. No matter the claims the world makes of acceptance society still can’t help but hinder people’s choices in hoping they fit into the box they are supposed to be in because God forbid they don’t and society will tear them apart so yes gender roles are handed down early whether gay marriage is legal and pride month has its own celebration this choice is still not acceptable in society rather it’s more hidden in my opinion. The toys children play with will NOT define them however in our world when you’re born into something and predestined to be “it” you must follow this pathway and when you choose to stray from it and pull away from the way the world wants you to be you become something according to society you are not supposed to be but all in all you are really fulfilling your happiness.

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The racist mind reading was interesting, diving into detail in the KKK, natzi groups and all others who were extremely troubled in their own lives that they tormented those who were different then them because it was easier in that moment to output anger rather than figure out another way. Ezekiel also uncovers in detail the white racism in America this is very chilling because even today this is an ongoing problem those of us who live in white america and are not a white American are in big trouble, as an African American citizen in this society we will never be treated equally despite any changes to the constitution or whatever “laws” they consider in the future this is reality for us. The hate groups created against a specific race is so much deeper than (HATE) these people despise those who are unlike them and are willing to go as far as to murder these people because of the color of their skin and if this is the case why aren’t we protected? Why hasn’t American leaders stepped up and realized that this hate from many white Americans / Nazi’s against specific races is unacceptable? America is not protecting those who need protection because no matter what falls from our leaders mouths the hate and racism in this country runs deeper than those who are bluntly racist there are still hidden racist who enjoy to see this type of behavior and this accusation does not fall short we see hate within our communities, and in the police fields, there was also phone calls of that Louisiana judge who referred to a black man as “roach” and a “nigger” then allowed to resign rather than fired for her wrong doings? America does not protect America covers up truths in hopes that the lies will disappear and that was made a point in this reading.

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The Importance of Being Beautiful SIDNEY KATZ

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The Importance of Being Beautiful SIDNEY KATZ

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Sidney Katz's exploration of the pervasive influence of physical attractiveness on social stratification reveals a concerning reality: In our society, people establish quite a high standard that they check on others and sometimes penalize them depending on how they look. Katz’s proposition is that beauty provides a host of perquisites to which people are not entitled – better grades, more credit from employers on the job, and lighter punishment if apprehended for a crime. This bias is referred to as the ‘halo effect’ which results in the belief that beautiful people are somehow better in personality and moral Character than their less attractive counterparts. On the other hand, the horns effect is biased and this prejudices people based on ugly looks, and usually the prejudice includes presumptions about their bad attitude.

Katz affirms his arguments with captivating studies, for instance, Karen Dion’s on how kids’ misconduct is regarded by face. This line of research and others show that physically and socially desirable people receive favorable treatment while socially undesirable people are punished. Such prejudice persists even to adulthood; people are discriminative against based on their height in employment opportunities and even in courts.

The consequences of Katz’s results are rather serious since they highlights the fact that prejudices in a society causing people with specific looks to be excluded from specific activities inevitably create a predictable outcome. Privileged people gain positive feedback and encouragement, thus getting confidence and opportunities; on the contrary, unattractive subjects face neglect and rejection, which contributes to their low self-esteem and limited chances.

To fight such biases, the members of society need to recognize and consciously avoid falling into the halo and horns effects and make fair judgments about the character and capability of people meeting them. Such awareness is likely to result in fair treatment and go a long way in ending the infamous appearance bias that Katz portrays in his write-up.

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What is considered beautiful will always be “All American” the example used is this reading perfectly depicts the way our country tends to work what is beautiful and eye catching to them is white women therefore that is what they choose for their magazines the other races thrown in there are to distract attention from the fact that what they want you to see and care about is what is MOSTLY there! If we think about and implement another example from our readings, Toys, Genders /sex, Sexuality American society from a young age forces young boys and girls to go toward what is considered the “normal” thing to do as a minor so that when they grow older they won’t fall astray or short of normal. All in all no matter what we advocate for the racism and sexism runs deep in our country and nothing is being done about it because the lies are hidden behind minor truths by whether it’s hiding other races in a white American dominated magazine or freeing slaves from captivity America wants what America wants and the people will hurdle like sheep or fall astray and become unacceptable within their country/society.

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(JCB) White Wedding/Marriage and the Family

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(JCB) White Wedding/Marriage and the Family

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Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann explore what the sociological implications take place in view of marriage and family. While placing an especial emphasis on the cultural importance that has come to be placed on the notions of purity and romantic love, the authors have defined through an exploration of how weddings are ultimately a reflection of societal values and the way in which they relate to gender roles and economic pressures. The authors remind about how marriage has ranged from economic alliances to its modern avatars as symbols of love and personal fulfillment. The concept of white wedding is associated with several sociological concepts where we can relate those concepts to the idealistic dream that several people have with their wedding regardless of their racial or class backgrounds. In the contemporary scenario, this concept is very fascinating because a wedding is not only something related to a big occasion or event but also it is a phenomenon that is oriented to a familial unity or union where several people attend a big ceremony. However, different ideologies and opinions are also associated with white wedding because it also encompasses social expectations and financial aspects associated with the ceremony. Many people are now more oriented to express their perspective regarding traditional roles as well as personal choices that are influenced by institutional frameworks, economic factors, and cultural norms. Marriage is located in relation to social institutions such as religion, law, and the state that structure and legitimize unions. It contrasts this with things like single-parent families and gay marriages or other same-gender relationships to the model of a nuclear family. The gendered power balance within marriage is another issue that is examined, while traditional roles are challenged by feminist perspectives. Broadly, what this chapter does is underline how personal decisions about marriage are strictly reproduced by cultural norms, economic realities, and institutional frameworks, therefore providing ample evidence of the multiple levels at which human agency and social structure engage with one another.

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White weddings hold a special place in the hearts of couples worldwide and are considered a timeless tradition in many cultures. The concept of a white wedding is steeped in meaning and symbolism, representing purity, tradition, and new beginnings. This article aims to explore the significance, customs, ceremonies, and destinations associated with white weddings, shedding light on both historical and modern perspectives.

To understand the origins of white weddings, it is essential to delve into their historical background. White weddings gained popularity during the 19th century when Queen Victoria of England chose to wear a white wedding dress for her nuptials, setting a trend that would continue for generations. This historical event played a significant role in the establishment of the white wedding tradition.

Traditions and customs are integral components of white weddings, and they contribute to the overall beauty and elegance of the occasion. Central elements include the choice of a white wedding dress, traditionally symbolizing purity and innocence, as well as the wearing of a bridal veil, signifying modesty and the reveal of the bride. The flower bouquet and the bridal party, consisting of bridesmaids and groomsmen, play important roles in traditional white weddings.

White wedding ceremonies and rituals are deeply intertwined with cultural and religious practices. These ceremonies often take place in venues such as churches, serene outdoor gardens, or breathtaking beaches, each offering its unique ambiance and significance. Key moments during the wedding ceremony include the exchange of vows, where couples profess their love and commitment to one another, as well as the unity ceremony, which symbolizes the merging of two lives into one.

In recent years, modern trends and variations have brought new dimensions to white weddings. Couples have started embracing non-traditional wedding dress colors and styles, allowing for individuality and self-expression. Personalizing ceremony elements, such as writing unique vows or incorporating meaningful rituals, further adds a personal touch to the celebration. Unique wedding themes and imaginative décor choices offer couples the opportunity to create unforgettable and one-of-a-kind experiences.

By exploring the historical roots, customs, ceremonies, popular destinations, and modern trends associated with white weddings, this article aims to provide insight and inspiration for couples planning their own special day. Whether honoring tradition or embracing creativity, the beauty and significance of white weddings continue to capture the hearts and imaginations of couples around the world.

Key takeaway:

Meaning and Significance of White Weddings

In the vibrant world of wedding traditions, white weddings hold a special meaning. Today, we will explore the enchanting realm of white weddings, their significance, and delve into the historical background that birthed this timeless tradition. Get ready to uncover intriguing stories and unravel the historical threads that have woven white weddings into the tapestry of matrimonial celebrations.

Historical Background of White Weddings

White weddings have a rich historical background that dates back centuries. They originated in Western cultures and have become a popular tradition worldwide. Understanding the historical background of white weddings provides insight into the significance and symbolism behind this cherished celebration.

1. Early Origins: The historical background of white weddings can be traced back to ancient Roman and Greek civilizations. The color white was associated with joy, purity, and new beginnings, making it the ideal choice for wedding ceremonies.

2. Evolution of Tradition: The historical background of white weddings gained prominence during the Victorian era in the 19th century. Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 had a significant impact on bridal fashion and customs. It was Queen Victoria who set the trend for future brides by wearing a white wedding dress.

3. Symbolism: Understanding the historical background reveals that white symbolizes purity, innocence, and the bride's virginity. Throughout history, brides wore elaborate white gowns to showcase their modesty and virtue. Moreover, white was considered a mark of social status as only wealthy families could afford such luxurious fabrics.

4. Influence of Media: The rise of mass media in the 20th century further popularized the historical background of white weddings. Movies, magazines, and advertisements prominently featured glamorous brides in stunning white dresses, inspiring countless couples to follow suit.

5. Cultural Variations: While white weddings are common in Western cultures, it's important to recognize that other cultures have their own unique wedding traditions. For instance, in some Asian cultures, the bride may wear a red dress symbolizing luck and prosperity. Nonetheless, white weddings have transcended borders and are now embraced in diverse cultural contexts. Understanding the historical background of white weddings adds depth and meaning to this cherished tradition. It allows couples to connect with centuries-old customs and appreciate the symbolism behind their special day. When planning your own white wedding, consider incorporating elements from different eras or cultures to create a unique and personalized experience. Explore vintage-inspired dresses, traditional rituals, or historical venues to add a touch of historical charm to your celebration. By embracing the historical background of white weddings, you can create a memorable and meaningful experience for you and your loved ones.

Traditions and Customs of White Weddings

Discover the enchanting world of white weddings as we explore the rich traditions and customs that make them truly special. From the iconic white wedding dress that symbolizes purity and elegance, to the delicate bridal veil that adds an air of mystery, to the vibrant flower bouquet that expresses love and joy, and the cherished bridal party that stands by the couple's side. Join us on this journey and uncover the captivating rituals and magical moments that make white weddings a celebration to remember.

The White Wedding Dress

The white wedding dress is a central element of traditional weddings, symbolizing purity, innocence, and the beginning of a new chapter in a couple's life together. Here are some key points to consider when it comes to the white wedding dress:

Historical significance: The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress dates back to the 19th century when Queen Victoria set the trend by choosing a white gown for her wedding. This sparked a desire among brides to emulate her style and symbolism.

Symbolism of purity: The white color of the wedding dress represents purity and virginity. Although this symbolism has evolved over time, many brides still choose a white dress to embody the idea of a fresh start and the beginning of a pure union.

Various styles and designs: From classic ball gowns to sleek mermaid silhouettes, there is a wide range of white wedding dress styles to choose from. Brides can explore different necklines, fabrics, and embellishments to find a dress that reflects their personal taste and complements their body shape.

Accessories and embellishments: The white wedding dress can be enhanced with various accessories and embellishments to add personal touches and create a unique look. This can include lace overlays, beading, embroidery, or even colored accents to add a touch of individuality.

Customization opportunities: Brides can also opt for custom-made white wedding dresses, allowing them to work closely with designers to create a dress that is tailored to their specific preferences and style.

Keeping traditions or breaking conventions: While white remains the traditional choice for wedding dresses, some brides are exploring non-traditional options. They may choose ivory, blush, or even bold-colored dresses to express their personality or match the wedding theme.

When choosing the white wedding dress, it is essential to consider the individual's style, body shape, and comfort. It should reflect the bride's personality and make her feel confident and beautiful on her special day.

Remember, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to the white wedding dress. It is a personal decision that allows the bride to create a memorable and meaningful experience. Whether embracing tradition or breaking conventions, the white wedding dress remains a symbol of love and celebration.

The Bridal Veil

The bridal veil, an essential accessory in a white wedding, holds significant symbolic meaning for the bride. Made traditionally from a sheer fabric, the veil's length can vary between short and long. Let's delve into the various aspects of the bridal veil:

When selecting a bridal veil, brides should consider the length that complements their wedding dress and the desired overall look. It's important to try on various styles to find the perfect one that makes them feel beautiful and confident on their special day. The Bridal Veil holds profound symbolic meaning and adds an elegant touch to a white wedding. Whether the style is traditional or modern, the veil is a cherished accessory that enhances the bride's beauty and completes her bridal ensemble.

The Flower Bouquet

When it comes to white weddings, the flower bouquet holds a significant role in the overall aesthetics and symbolism of the ceremony. Here are some important aspects to consider:

1. Flower selection: The choice of flowers for the bouquet is a personal decision. Popular options include roses, lilies, peonies, and orchids. The flowers should complement the bride's dress and the theme of the wedding.

2. Color coordination: Coordinate the colors of the flowers with the wedding color scheme. Opt for shades that enhance the overall aesthetic and create a cohesive look.

3. Size and shape: Consider the size and shape of the bouquet, as it should suit the bride's body proportions and the formality of the event. Bouquets can range from small and round to cascading and dramatic.

4. Floral accessories: Enhance the bouquet with additional elements such as ribbons, lace, or jewels. These accessories can add a touch of elegance or personalization to the bouquet.

5. Symbolism: Flowers hold different meanings, so choose blooms that resonate with the couple's values or represent their love story. For example, roses symbolize love and passion, while lilies represent purity and beauty.

6. Seasonal flowers: Opt for flowers that are in season during the wedding to ensure their freshness and availability. This can also be a more cost-effective option.

7. Bouquet preservation: To preserve the memories of the special day, consider preserving the bouquet. Techniques such as drying or pressing the flowers can help keep them intact for years to come.

The flower bouquet is a cherished element of a white wedding, symbolizing beauty, love, and new beginnings. It adds a touch of elegance and completes the bride's ensemble as she walks down the aisle. By considering these factors, couples can choose a flower bouquet that perfectly complements their white wedding and creates a lasting impression.
The Bridal Party

The Bridal Party is an essential part of a white wedding ceremony, playing significant roles and adding to the overall celebration. Here are some key aspects to consider when it comes to

1. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: The Bridal Party typically consists of close friends and family members who support the bride and groom throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day. The bridesmaids assist The Bridal Party with various tasks, such as dress shopping, wedding preparations, and offering emotional support. The groomsmen fulfill similar roles for the groom.

2. Maid of Honor and Best Man: The maid of honor is usually the bride's closest friend or sister who takes on a leadership role within The Bridal Party. She stands alongside the bride during the ceremony and helps coordinate the bridesmaids' activities. The best man performs similar duties for the groom, including holding the rings during the ceremony and delivering a toast during the reception.

3. Duties and Responsibilities: The Bridal Party supports the bride and groom in various ways, from planning bridal showers and bachelor parties to assisting with wedding day logistics. They often help with the decoration setup, greet guests, and ensure everything runs smoothly during the ceremony and reception.

4. Attire: The Bridal Party usually wears coordinated outfits that complement the overall wedding theme and the bride's chosen attire. Bridesmaids traditionally wear matching dresses that complement the bride's gown, while groomsmen typically wear suits or tuxedos that match the groom's attire.

5. Personal Touches: Many couples choose to incorporate personal touches into their Bridal Party's attire, such as customized accessories or monogrammed gifts. These thoughtful gestures add a unique touch to the wedding celebration and show appreciation for The Bridal Party's support. I attended a wedding where the bride had a large Bridal Party consisting of her closest friends and family members. They all wore elegant pastel-colored dresses that perfectly matched the overall theme of the wedding. The maid of honor gave a heartfelt speech, expressing her love and admiration for the bride, which brought tears of joy to everyone's eyes. Throughout the day, The Bridal Party worked tirelessly to ensure the bride and groom had a stress-free wedding experience. Their camaraderie and dedication truly added to the celebration, making it a memorable event for all.

White Wedding Ceremonies and Rituals

White wedding ceremonies and rituals are filled with beauty, symbolism, and heartfelt moments. In this section, we will uncover the magic behind these ceremonies and explore the significance of the wedding ceremony, the emotional exchange of vows, and the unity ceremony. Get ready to immerse yourself in the traditions and customs that make white weddings so special and memorable. Let's dive in and discover the enchanting aspects of these cherished wedding rituals.

The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony, also known as the central event and the most important part of a white wedding, is the moment when two individuals officially come together in matrimony and exchange vows of love and commitment. The wedding ceremony typically follows a set structure and includes various rituals and traditions that symbolize the union of the couple. During The Wedding Ceremony, the couple usually stands before an altar or a designated area where the officiant leads the proceedings. The ceremony begins with an opening statement, introducing the purpose of the gathering and the significance of the occasion. The officiant may also share words of wisdom or reflect on the nature of love and marriage. Following The Wedding Ceremony's opening statement, the couple exchanges their vows. These are personal promises spoken to one another, expressing their love, commitment, and intentions for their future together. The vows often include heartfelt sentiments and affirmations of support, loyalty, and devotion. It is a deeply emotional moment that signifies the union of two individuals. After exchanging vows, the couple may choose to perform a unity ceremony. This is a symbolic act that represents the merging of two lives into one. It can involve activities such as the lighting of a unity candle, the pouring of sand into a shared vessel, or the tying of a knot with a ceremonial cord. The unity ceremony serves as a visual representation of the couple's commitment to each other and their willingness to support and uplift one another throughout their journey together. Once The Wedding Ceremony's unity ceremony is complete, the officiant pronounces the couple as officially married and invites them to seal their union with a kiss. This kiss is a joyful and celebratory moment that is often met with cheers and applause from the gathered guests. The wedding ceremony, known as The Wedding Ceremony, is the highlight of a white wedding. It is a sacred and solemn event where two individuals come together in love and commitment. The ceremony includes the exchange of vows and often features a unity ceremony to symbolize the merging of two lives. It is a moment filled with joy, emotion, and the beginning of a lifelong journey together. As you plan your own wedding ceremony, consider personalizing it to reflect your unique relationship and values. You can incorporate elements that hold special meaning to you as a couple, such as cultural traditions, religious rituals, or personal touches. Remember, The Wedding Ceremony is a celebration of love and a declaration of commitment, so make it a moment that truly represents you and your partner.

The Exchange of Vows

The exchange of vows is an integral part of a white wedding ceremony. It is the moment when the couple makes their promises and commitments to each other, declaring their love and dedication. Here are some key details to understand about

1. Personalized Declarations: During The Exchange of Vows, the couple has the opportunity to express their love and commitment in their own words. This allows for a more personalized and meaningful ceremony. Couples can choose to write their own vows or select from traditional vows that resonate with them.

2. Shared Promises: The vows exchanged typically include promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. These promises symbolize the couple's commitment to support each other through the ups and downs of life, and to create a partnership based on love, trust, and mutual respect.

3. Witnesses and Officiants: The Exchange of Vows is witnessed by family and friends who are present to support the couple on their special day. The officiant plays a key role in guiding the couple through their vows, ensuring that they understand the significance of The Exchange of Vows they are making.

4. Symbolic Gestures: Some couples choose to incorporate symbolic gestures during The Exchange of Vows. This could include exchanging rings as a symbol of their eternal love and commitment, or lighting a unity candle to represent the merging of their lives.

5. Emotional Significance: The Exchange of Vows is often an emotional moment for both the couple and their loved ones. It is a time when heartfelt sentiments are shared, creating a powerful and memorable experience for everyone present. The Exchange of Vows is a significant part of a white wedding ceremony. It is a time for the couple to express their love, make promises, and embark on their journey together as husband and wife. It is a cherished moment that symbolizes the beginning of their lifelong commitment to each other. To enhance The Exchange of Vows in your wedding ceremony, consider adding personal touches to your vows that reflect your unique relationship. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and express your deepest feelings. Remember, this is your opportunity to make promises that will shape your future together.

The Unity Ceremony

is a significant part of a White Wedding, symbolizing the joining of two individuals in marriage. This ceremonial act has deep meaning and is often incorporated into wedding ceremonies to amplify the bond between the couple. During the Unity Ceremony, couples perform various rituals that visually represent their union. These rituals are typically chosen based on personal preferences and cultural traditions. Here are some common Unity Ceremony rituals:

1. Unity Candle: The couple lights two individual candles, symbolizing their separate lives. They then use these individual flames to light a larger, central candle, representing their union as a married couple. This act signifies the creation of a new family.

2. Sand Ceremony: The couple pours two different colored sands into a single container, representing their separate lives coming together. The blending of the sands creates a unique pattern, symbolizing the unbreakable bond formed through marriage.

3. Handfasting: In this ancient Celtic tradition, the couple's hands are bound together with a decorative cord or ribbon, symbolizing their connection and commitment. This ritual is often accompanied by the recitation of vows or promises.

4. Tree Planting: The couple plants a small tree or seeds, representing the growth and nurturing of their relationship. They water the tree together, symbolizing their dedication to nourishing their love and watching it flourish over time.

5. Wine or Love Letter Box Ceremony: The couple places love letters or written promises to each other into a box, along with a bottle of wine. The box is designed to be opened on a future anniversary, allowing the couple to relive their vows and reflect on their journey together. The Unity Ceremony is a beautiful way to signify the couple's commitment and love for each other. It serves as a reminder of their shared values, goals, and dreams. By incorporating this ritual into their wedding ceremony, couples cultivate a strong foundation for their marriage and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of unity and happiness.

Popular White Wedding Destinations

Dreaming of a picture-perfect wedding? Look no further as we dive into the most sought-after destinations for white weddings. From the traditional elegance of church ceremonies to the enchanting allure of outdoor garden venues and the serene beauty of beach settings, we'll explore the diverse options available for couples seeking the perfect backdrop to say, "I do." Get ready to discover the most popular white wedding destinations that will make your special day truly unforgettable.

Traditional Church Weddings

Traditional Church Weddings have long been a cherished choice for couples seeking a timeless and enchanting ceremony. Rooted in customs that have been passed down through generations, these weddings gracefully unfold within the holy confines of a church or chapel.

1. Ceremony Venue: Traditional Church Weddings reverently take place in religious sanctuaries, such as a church or chapel. These hallowed settings lend a sacred ambience to the wedding ceremony.

2. Religious Officiant: A revered religious officiant, such as a priest, minister, or pastor, gracefully presides over the wedding ceremony. With their wisdom and guidance, they lead the couple through the sacred vows and blessings that have become intrinsic to Traditional Church Weddings.

3. Religious Elements: Rooted in faith, Traditional Church Weddings often incorporate religious elements that infuse the ceremony with spiritual depth. Scripture readings, prayers, and hymns gracefully enhance the sacredness of the occasion, evoking a profound sense of meaning.

4. Traditional Wedding Attire: The bride, a vision of purity and innocence, traditionally dons a white wedding gown. The groom, equally dashing, adorns himself in a sophisticated suit or tuxedo. Bridesmaids and groomsmen often complement the couple's attire, further enhancing the aesthetic of a Traditional Church Wedding.

5. Walk down the Aisle: Guided by her father or another esteemed family member, the bride elegantly makes her way down the aisle. This symbolic procession signifies the giving away of the bride, as she embarks on a lifelong journey with her chosen partner.

6. Exchange of Vows and Rings: With heartfelt sincerity, the couple faithfully exchanges their vows, wholeheartedly expressing their love and unwavering commitment to one another. The exchange of rings symbolizes the eternal unity and boundless love they share.

7. Unity Candle or Unity Cross: As a poignant emblem of unity, some Traditional Church Weddings incorporate a unity candle or unity cross ceremony. This significant ritual symbolizes the intertwining of two souls and their respective families.

8. Traditional Music: The dulcet strains of classic hymns and organ melodies reverberate within the walls of a Traditional Church Wedding. These timeless musical arrangements create an evocative atmosphere, etching sentiments of nostalgia in the hearts of all present.

9. Rice or Flower Petal Exit: As the newlywed couple emerges from the church, they are serenaded by a cascade of rice or flower petals, tenderly thrown by jubilant guests. This cherished tradition symbolizes abundant blessings of fertility, luck, and prosperity for the couple's future.

10. Reception in Church Hall: Following the momentous ceremony, many Traditional Church Weddings extend the celebration with a reception held within the church's welcoming halls. This intimate gathering allows the couple and their esteemed guests to revel in each other's company and indulge in a delectable feast. Traditional Church Weddings eloquently embody a rich tapestry of tradition, spirituality, and timeless grace. For those seeking an enduring and classic wedding ceremony, these cherished celebrations offer an experience brimming with significance and everlasting memories.

Outdoor Garden Weddings

When it comes to weddings, outdoor garden weddings are a popular choice for couples who want to exchange their vows surrounded by natural beauty. Outdoor garden weddings have a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In ancient Greece, couples would exchange their vows in the presence of nature, believing it to be a sacred space that symbolized fertility and abundance. Here are some key details to consider when planning an outdoor garden wedding:

1. Venue selection: Choose a garden or outdoor space that fits your outdoor garden wedding vision. Consider factors such as the size of the space, availability of amenities like restrooms and electricity, and any regulations or permits required. Popular options include botanical gardens, private estates, and public parks.

2. Decor: Take advantage of the natural surroundings and enhance the beauty of the outdoor garden with floral arrangements that complement the existing blooms. Consider incorporating elements like bunting, lanterns, or fairy lights to create a magical ambiance.

3. Seating arrangements: Provide ample seating for your guests, whether it's traditional chairs or a more casual setup with blankets or hay bales. Consider renting a tent or marquee to provide shade or protection from the elements, especially if you're hosting the outdoor garden wedding during the summer or unpredictable weather seasons.

4. Dress code: Inform your guests of the outdoor garden wedding venue so they can dress accordingly. Remember to consider factors such as the temperature, potential windy conditions, and whether the terrain might require appropriate footwear.

5. Sound system: Outdoor spaces can pose challenges when it comes to sound quality, so ensure your ceremony and reception areas are equipped with a proper sound system or consider hiring a professional sound technician. 6. Weather backup plan: As beautiful as outdoor garden weddings are, weather can be unpredictable. Have a backup plan in case of rain or extreme weather conditions, such as renting a tent or having an indoor space on standby. During medieval times, garden weddings were popular in Europe among the aristocracy and nobility. Elaborate gardens with meticulously manicured landscapes provided a picturesque setting for grand ceremonies and celebrations. In the 18th and 19th centuries, garden weddings became even more fashionable as the Romantic movement embraced the beauty of nature. Romantic poets, such as William Wordsworth, praised the serene and idyllic qualities of gardens, inspiring couples to choose these outdoor spaces for their outdoor garden weddings. Today, outdoor garden weddings continue to captivate couples who seek a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. The allure of exchanging vows surrounded by blooming flowers, lush greenery, and the soothing sounds of nature creates an unforgettable experience for both the couple and their guests. Choosing to have an outdoor garden wedding allows couples to celebrate their special day in a setting that perfectly embodies their love and the beauty of nature.

Beach Weddings

When it comes to planning a beach wedding, beach weddings have become increasingly popular. The unique setting and picturesque backdrop of the beach make it a perfect choice for couples who want a romantic and memorable beach wedding ceremony. Here are some important factors to consider when planning a beach wedding:

1. Location: Choose a beach that is easily accessible for your guests and has the necessary facilities for a beach wedding ceremony, such as restrooms and parking. Some popular beach wedding destinations include Hawaii, the Caribbean, and coastal areas in California.

2. Weather: Keep in mind that weather conditions can be unpredictable at the beach. Consider the time of year and research the typical weather patterns for your chosen beach wedding location. It's advisable to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather, such as renting a tent or booking a nearby indoor venue.

3. Permits and Regulations: Many beaches require permits for hosting events, including beach weddings. Make sure to check with the local authorities regarding any permits or regulations that need to be followed for your beach wedding. It's important to obtain any necessary permits well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications.

4. Attire: Beach weddings typically call for more casual and lightweight attire. Brides often opt for flowy and lightweight dresses, while grooms might choose linen suits or even a more relaxed beachwear style for their beach wedding. It's essential to consider the beach terrain and temperature when selecting your beach wedding attire.

5. Decorations: Take advantage of the natural beauty of the beach while planning your beach wedding decorations. Incorporate elements like seashells, driftwood, or nautical-themed accents in your beach wedding decorations. Keep in mind that strong winds and the possibility of sand being kicked up can affect your beach wedding decorations, so choose sturdy and secure items.Pro-tip: Provide your guests with some essentials to make their beach wedding experience more enjoyable. Consider having sunscreen, bug spray, and umbrellas available to protect them from the sun and elements at your beach wedding. Also, encourage guests to bring appropriate footwear, such as sandals or flip-flops, to navigate the sand with ease.Beach weddings offer a unique and romantic ambiance. By considering these factors and planning accordingly, you can ensure a beautiful and unforgettable beach wedding day on the sandy shores.

Modern Trends and Variations in White Weddings

Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of modern trends and variations in white weddings! We'll be exploring non-traditional wedding dresses that redefine bridal fashion, personalized ceremony elements that make the big day truly unique, and out-of-the-box wedding themes that add a splash of creativity to the celebration. So, fasten your seatbelts and embark on this exhilarating journey through the ever-evolving landscape of white weddings. Let's discover the exciting twists and turns that make these modern trends so captivating!

Non-traditional Wedding Dresses

When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, some brides opt for non-traditional styles that reflect their unique personality and sense of style. Non-traditional wedding dresses have gained significant popularity in recent years, with more and more brides embracing their individuality and opting for unconventional styles to make a statement on their special day. Here are some options to consider:

1. Colorful Wedding Dresses: Instead of the traditional white gown, brides can choose non-traditional wedding dresses in different colors such as blush, champagne, or even bold shades like red or black. These colorful dresses add a modern and unconventional touch to the wedding attire.

2. Short Wedding Dresses: For brides who want a more relaxed and casual look, non-traditional short wedding dresses are a popular choice. These dresses can range from knee-length to tea-length, showcasing the bride's legs and allowing for ease of movement.

3. Jumpsuits and Pantsuits: Perfect for the fashion-forward bride, jumpsuits and pantsuits are stylish alternatives to traditional wedding dresses. These non-traditional wedding dresses provide comfort and a contemporary feel while still exuding elegance and sophistication.

4. Boho Wedding Dresses: Bohemian-inspired non-traditional wedding dresses are all about free-spiritedness and a natural look. Flowy silhouettes, lace details, and ethereal fabrics are key elements of this style. These dresses are perfect for outdoor or beach weddings.

5. Bridal Separates: Another non-traditional option gaining popularity is bridal separates, where the bride combines a separate top and skirt or pants to create a unique wedding ensemble. This allows for customization and the ability to mix and match different pieces to achieve a one-of-a-kind look.

6. Unique Embellishments: Non-traditional wedding dresses can also feature unconventional embellishments such as feathers, fringe, or sequins. These details add texture and create a memorable and eye-catching bridal look. Fun Fact: Non-traditional wedding dresses are a trend that more brides are embracing, as they want to showcase their individuality and make a statement on their special day.

Personalized Ceremony Elements

Personalized ceremony elements can add a unique and meaningful touch to your white wedding. Here are some ideas to consider:

Customized vows: Instead of using traditional wedding vows, couples can incorporate personalized ceremony elements by customizing their vows to reflect their relationship and commitment to each other. This allows them to express their love, promises, and aspirations in their own words.

Symbolic rituals: To enhance the significance of the ceremony, couples can include personalized ceremony elements like incorporating symbolic rituals. For example, a sand ceremony where the couple combines different colored sands to represent their unity or a candle lighting ceremony where the couple lights a unity candle together.

Family involvement: To make the ceremony more personal, couples can include personalized ceremony elements by involving their family members. They can invite their parents or other loved ones to give readings, blessings, or participate in a unity ritual.

Music choices: Personalized ceremony elements can also be incorporated through music choices. Couples can select meaningful songs or music that holds significance for them, creating a more personalized atmosphere. They can choose songs that have special memories or lyrics that resonate with their relationship.

Special touches in decor: Adding personal touches to the ceremony decor is another way to incorporate personalized ceremony elements. Couples can make it more meaningful by incorporating their photos, sentimental items, or objects that represent their shared interests or hobbies.

Incorporating cultural or religious traditions: To honor their cultural or religious backgrounds, couples can include personalized ceremony elements by incorporating traditions that are important to them. This can include rituals, prayers, or customs that reflect their heritage.

Unique ceremony venue: Choosing a non-traditional venue can add personalized ceremony elements to the wedding. Couples can opt for a location that holds special significance to them, such as a place where they had their first date or a destination that holds sentimental value.

Writing personal letters or vows to each other: Another way to incorporate personalized ceremony elements is by writing personal letters or vows to each other. Couples can exchange them privately before or during the ceremony, allowing them to express their feelings and emotions in a more intimate and personal way.

By incorporating personalized ceremony elements, couples can create a wedding ceremony that truly reflects their love story and celebrates their unique bond.

Unique Wedding Themes

When it comes to planning a wedding, incorporating unique wedding themes can add an extra touch of personalization and excitement to the celebration. Here are some ideas to consider:

Fairy Tale: Transform your wedding venue into a magical wonderland inspired by your favorite fairy tales. Decorate with twinkling lights, enchanted forest elements, and incorporate whimsical details like glass slippers or castle-inspired centerpieces.

Vintage Glamour: Take a step back in time with a vintage glamour theme. Opt for a classic color palette, antique decor, and attire that reflects the elegance of the past. Incorporate vintage props, such as old typewriters or classic cars, to transport your guests to a bygone era.

Tropical Paradise: Bring the beach to your wedding with a tropical paradise theme. Set the mood with vibrant colors, lush greenery, and tropical flowers. Consider hosting your wedding at a beachfront or tropical destination for a truly immersive experience.

Bohemian Chic: Embrace a free-spirited and bohemian vibe for your wedding. Create a relaxed atmosphere with dreamcatchers, macramé decor, and a mix of eclectic furniture. Opt for flowy, bohemian-inspired wedding attire, and encourage guests to embrace their inner hippie.

Industrial Elegance: Combine the rawness of industrial spaces with elegant elements for a unique wedding theme. Choose a venue with exposed brick walls and metal fixtures, and complement them with soft lighting, lush flowers, and elegant table settings.

Remember, the key to successful wedding planning is to find unique wedding themes that resonate with you as a couple. Let your personalities shine through and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Some Facts About What Is a White Wedding:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a white wedding?

A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding that originated in Great Britain. It refers to a wedding where the bride traditionally wears a white dress.

Why is it called a white wedding?

The term "white wedding" comes from the white color of the wedding dress, which became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding in 1840.

How did white weddings become popular?

The popularity of white weddings can be traced back to Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, when she wore a white dress and made it fashionable. Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding further popularized the idea of a white wedding, as it was broadcast to 750 million people and Diana's dress was seen as a fairytale.

What does a white wedding symbolize?

A white wedding symbolizes tradition, purity, innocence, and the transition from a single life to a married one. The color white is seen as pure, serene, and symbolic of new beginnings, which aligns with the concept of starting a new life in marriage.

Can a white wedding include elements other than the bride's dress?

Yes, in 2023, the definition of a white wedding has expanded and can include various elements such as white decor, invitations, or even the groom's suit. It allows for more creativity and personalization in the wedding style.

Why is a white wedding associated with a traditional Christian ceremony?

In the English language and Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) translations, a white wedding refers to the bride wearing a white dress in a traditional Christian ceremony. This association originated from the Western wedding routine, where a white dress became symbolic in Christian religious traditions.

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Ever wondered about the origins and significance of white weddings? From historical backgrounds to modern interpretations, our latest article delves deep into the enchanting world of white weddings. Discover the traditions, ceremonies, and stories that have shaped this timeless matrimonial celebration. Don't miss out on this captivating read!

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Stephanie Coontz writes about the changing American family. With a fair historical perspective, Coontz assesses this nostalgia for families gone by, arguing that what far too many people consider to be the "traditional family" is actually an exceedingly recent and fleeting historical development—mid-20th century—in which there was a male breadwinner with a stay-at-home wife. This family model was to a huge degree a result of peculiar economic conditions and governmental policies that subsidized male employment as well as home ownership. Coontz shows that in earlier years of, say, colonial times, families were different in structure, and the women together with children made useful contributions to the family economy. The 19th century affected the demarcation between work and home life by the process of industrialization, thus creating new dynamics and problems for families. This marriage, typical of that beau ideal of the mid-20th century, was marked by relative economic stability and high marriage and birth rates; it also belied serious social issues like gender inequality, domestic violence, and little opportunity for women. The chapter is concluded by the notation that families of today are diverse and flexible; they take many forms, such as single-parent households, cohabitation, and dual-earner families. Coontz herself puts forth an emphasis on the understanding of its history behind such shifts so people can appreciate just how complex and challenging the modern family is as well. Many things have changed with time as much as the families in the 1900s changed to the families we see and experience today. Very often, I see many people complaining about the families we come across today because people are really falling apart. They are not trying to identify the flaws on their own part in the families but they are busy blaming each other. These days the rate of divorce is much higher because people are failing to find compatibility and the responsibility of adjusting and living together. Although in the 1900s there were issues in families, people did not always think about falling apart and instead, they would try to solve their problems and come up with plausible solutions. The rate of divorce is increasing these days. It can be said that it is high time for people to understand the significance of having a healthy family. I believe that behaviors in families might change in the United States but people eventually will understand that they need to change their mindset along with the changes in their surroundings and environment and become more responsive to adapt to the changes so that they can find a comfortable way to lead a better life.

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The Changing American Family (Published 2013)

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Same-sex parents. Cohabiting couples. Voluntary kin. Children with parents in prison. Immigrant-Americans. What we thought of as the typical American family is being rapidly redefined. It is more diverse than it was even half a year ago.

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Have you ever fantasized about your future wedding?

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The concept of a wedding has always been a cultural norm for an African American girl and a blend of preference and tradition. Thus, while child, I did dream of the wedding I was to have in the future, but I did not dream of the ‘White Wedding’ as it has been depicted in media and other forms of popular culture.

To many African American families weddings could be very emphasized with cultural and traditional aspects. The dream of the wedding started with thinking about the ceremony that would imply some of these traditions like jumping the broom or the items of African ancestry in the wedding. Such cultural features represent stability, honoring of elders, and collectivism, which has lots of significance.

Also, the concept of gender and sexual orientation also contribute to the creation of the vision of weddings. Concerning the wedding, as a woman, I thought of the type of dress I might wear and how it would feel to walk down the aisle, the feeling of sharing the joy with relatives and friends.

Gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity too inform such fantasies. For example, weddings can sometimes represent a positive assertion of African America’s cultural identity and survival that is in many ways unique from the mainstream American culture. This could be involving the use of music, foods, and functions that come along with a multicultural relationship.

Gender, sex, and social class also determine the wedding fancies that a person can develop. This means that one is expected to make changes in the scale and style of the wedding, right from the location to the people to invite to even general demeanor depending on ones’s economic status. The nature of the fantasy is then shaped by personal preferences and experiences thus developing vision that is personal of the fantasy.

So in other words, if the ‘white wedding’ concept does not resonate with everyone, including myself, the dream of a wedding is still important. It is about coming up with a day festival that defines the essential civil values, ethnic demoralization, and the pleasures of expressing fidelity with family and loved ones.

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The F-227 crash survivors’ story narrated by James M. Henslin brings out the dark side of human nature and how even social norms are brought to the test when people find themselves in a stranded situation. This chapter emphasizes the strength that culture has on ethical judgments irrespective of issues of life, and death.

The survivors, mostly young and from privileged backgrounds, were thrust into an unimaginable scenario where their very survival depended on breaking one of society's strongest taboos: For want of better words, it can be referred to as cannibalism. Thus, the fictional norm greatly appealed to people’s horror and repugnance, and out of this, the latter created new norms for their existence. This versatility yet again touches on another element of human social conduct: the capacity to develop new norms in a society that had none when the old ones are ineffective.

Most prominent here is the issue of group cohesiveness and support in the situation described. Rules that the surviving party had to impose on themselves in eating the other party’s flesh were vital to pretending to be normal sane humans. This underscores a fundamental aspect of social life: the humanitarian aspect of humans’ demands for belonging to a community or sharing common values, even in such situations as famines. These norms offered them certain behavioral patterns for dealing with questions of morality that arose during the Holocaust and thus allowed the characters to remain human.

In this perspective, Henslin’s account succeeds in going beyond the sensationalism that forms the basis of the story to consider the basics of social lives, and behavior. It leaves the reader and inculcates the thought process as to how cultures work in people’s lives and how in tasks such as these, what is right can be adjusted by human beings to achieve the ultimate good. This chapter can be considered as a loud call for the understanding of the paradoxes of culture, morality, and the survival of human spirit.

Lastly, “Eating Your Friends Is the Hardest” is not simply a fable about people holding on to their lives at any costs; it is a commentary on society and the set standards that people live with. It presents viewers with the dilemma of where one can draw the line concerning right and wrong in the face of adversity.

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In “The Pathology of Imprisonment”, Philip Zimbardo captures the natural savage and animal-like tendency within the prison system. Another study that Zarate conducted and which became widely famous was the phenomenon of ‘‘The Stanford Prison Experiment,’’ aiming to investigate how easily individuals placed in a prison environment are capable of assuming roles encouraging abuse and causing severe psychological problems in other prisoners. As this transformation demonstrates, external forces are highly determinant in shaping the morality and actions of an employee.

The findings by Zimbardo negate the idea that prisons in current standings are reformative and have become sources of violence and resentment. This is complimented by the letter from the anonymous prisoner which makes the argument more real by demonstrating the severe psychological toll of such an environment. Zimbardo’s version of prison reform: the concern for the humane treatment of prisoners, proper training of the prison guards, community participation, and the necessity for an independent commission including the prisoner’s ombudsmen for legal protection.

According to Zimbardo, the main idea of the successful reform is empathy and care, namely the authority should remember that the prisoners are people as well. Treating the prison environment and not the inmates can help, diminish the high rate of recidivism and make the prisons change from the nurseries of hatred into the schools of repentance and rehabilitation. Every criminal requires a change in perspective for justice and for the stability of society’s moral standard.

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In his article “On Being Sane in Insane Places,” David L. Rosenhan provides clear evidence that one should not trust psychiatric diagnoses. He suggests that people’s ability to define Sanity and insanity might not be as straightforward as is generally thought. In Rosenhan’s study `On Being Sane in Insane Places’ the researcher and 7 assistants posed as patients suffering from auditory hallucinations, with a view of being admitted to different mental hospitals. As they presented their symptoms and were admitted, they worked no differently than any other patient, but all had severe mental illnesses and stayed in the hospital for many months.

This study has important implications and asks crucial questions about the epistemology of psychiatric diagnosis and the role of formal settings. If even trained professionals could not differentiate between a person who had or had not, undergone a sane transformation in a psychiatric setting then this indicated that the context and setting played a large role in assessing the psychiatric condition of an individual. These suggestions imply that the diagnosis can be dependent on the environment and has little or nothing to do with the actual status of the patient’s mental health as concluded by Rosenhan.

The implications are profound. If the state of being sane and the state of being insane cannot be distinguished, then it means that there are dangers of ascribing unhelpful and even false labels to certain patients. In its assertion, Rosenhan’s work expounds on the capacities of misidentification and the social rejection associated with psychiatric categorization. It demands a more critical approach to diagnosing and newer evaluations on how mental health workers categorize and manage mental disorders.

In the end, Rosenhan’s study points out that there is still a long way to go in promoting a broader and more accurate understanding of psycho-social disorders. As such, the study supports the need for enhancing the process of coming up with psychiatric diagnosis; in this case, the role and impact of context, and the assessment of people’s mental health. This critical analysis engages further discussions and changes in the concerns of psychiatry to enhance the lives of those with mental disorders.

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Police Accounts of Normal Force                

 

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Police Accounts of Normal Force                

 

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In the article “Police Accounts of Normal Force” Jennifer Hunt, put the spotlight directly on the force culture in police departments. One has to admit that the practices described in the case highlight how violence is automatically built into the police force’s occupational culture. Using Hunt’s personal observations and qualitative sociological study, it is understood that what is regarded as lawful excessive force is perceived as legitimate within the ‘police subculture’. As such, this normalization is not analyzed about individual officers’ sadistic inclinations but in terms of the performative culture that is promoted.

Thus, Hunt’s results imply that police brutality is normal, and officers expect and are encouraged to use force on the job: their peers and formal, albeit unofficial, mentors are other policemen. This culture makes officers, especially the new or female ones, resort to the use of force to be accepted by the other officers. This could as a result force officers to apply excess force in the pursuit of this norm; this is evident by the ‘Mexican standoff’ story of the female officer.

Hence, their work is frequently centered on altering cultures and breaking vicious circles that are dangerous to society, and for a social reformer targeting to decrease police violence, this element is vital. They should address the informal processes and the peer pressure that foster and even require the use of excessive force. This could mean massive reform in the police force, a new approach and guidelines for the handling of such matters by policemen, and having permanent checks on the police among other measures. The findings of the Zimbardo experiment post Code-Blue imply that situational factors and structure play a major role in upholding or abusing procedural characteristics, thereby indicating that policing brutality can be substantially lowered by changing the environment and culture within the police departments.

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Very often, we come across several incidents when we experience both weird and crazy moments. From one such situation, I am sharing an example where I have felt both crazy and weird. Recently, I found myself thinking someone was “weird” when I observed a man talking animatedly to himself while walking down the street. This behavior seemed strange because it violated social norms about public conduct, where talking to oneself is generally seen as abnormal. These norms, though often unspoken, dictate that conversations should involve at least two people, and public self-talk is often frowned upon. I was not fully aware of these norms until I witnessed this behavior. They exist implicitly within societal expectations about how individuals should behave in public spaces. These expectations vary by social context but are generally reinforced by observing the actions of others and through socialization.

The man’s social status might have influenced my perception. For example, if he had been dressed in a business suit, I might have considered the possibility of him using a Bluetooth device, thinking he was engaged in a phone conversation. However, his casual attire and disheveled appearance led me to label him as “weird” rather than rationalizing his behavior.

In certain contexts, talking to oneself can appear rational. For example, rehearsing a speech or practicing a language might necessitate self-talk. Athletes often use self-talk to motivate themselves. The significance lies in understanding that context and perceived purpose can transform what seems like irrational behavior into something entirely logical. I can imagine a situation where I might talk to myself, such as preparing for a presentation or working through a complex problem out loud. In those instances, I would not consider my behavior “weird” because I understand my intentions and the context.

Labeling the man as “weird” affected my perception, making me view him as an outsider or someone to avoid. This label also influenced my feelings, making me more judgmental and less empathetic. It created a barrier to understanding his behavior in context, highlighting how labels can distort our perceptions and interactions. Recognizing this helps in fostering a more compassionate and nuanced view of others’ behaviors.

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The role of kindergarten in the American educational system has been examined, positing that it serves as an initiation into the structured and disciplined environment of formal schooling. Kindergarten is one of the critical phases in children's learning and development where children learn to conform to institutional expectations and norms. However, kindergarten is not only a place for learning and aquarium fundamental skills like reading, writing, and mathematical skills but also a socializing environment where children interact with others and learn how to follow routines or maintain behavioral expectations. Children are taught to obey authority figures, follow instructions and schedules, and interact with their teachers and peers which help them to reflect social norms as well. From a very early phase of childhood, children learn conformity and discipline because these are significant not only for their educational phase but also for their adulthood in their future professional environment. These expectations are often implicit, with children quickly learning what behaviors are rewarded and which are discouraged. It has been highlighted that this early socialization process can significantly impact a child's attitude towards education and authority, shaping their future academic and social experiences. By likening kindergarten to a boot camp, it effectively critiques the rigid and uniform nature of early education, prompting a reconsideration of how we might balance the need for socialization with fostering individuality and critical thinking in young learners.

Every child needs to get accustomed to major social institutions; conformity is an important aspect for education. Although a learning environment should be socially constructed and discipline should be instilled in children, following instructions is important as much as people have to follow the norms of society, it would be wrong to label a child “bad” if he or she could not follow the rules. Those children must be taught about following instructions or disciplines. If a child is not attentive to any instruction, then that does not necessarily make the child a “bad” child. If any child fails to follow any norm or rule, then that child would be labeled as either disobedient or a bad child which is not always the correct thing to do. Teachers must use words like energetic or active for students who are successful learners and obedient while making children understand the significance of being comprehensive and obedient.

The analysis brings to light the hidden curriculum of schooling, which goes beyond academic learning to include the transmission of cultural values and social norms. He suggests that by understanding kindergarten as a form of academic boot camp, we can better appreciate how educational institutions play a critical role in preparing individuals for their roles in society. The emphasis on discipline and conformity, while essential for maintaining order, may also stifle creativity and individualism, raising questions about the broader implications of this approach to early education.