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Hello, I am currently taking Socio 1A to complete my requirement for my Associate of Nursing Degree. I actually took SOCIO 1B from Proffesor Harry in 2007. I then became ad psychiatric technician in 2010 at Delta College. Then in 2022 I completed the RN program, only to realize I had the wrong Sociology course. In 2007 SOCIO 1B was required by the nursing department. Now I must complete this course to finish my degree and take my NCLEX exam for my RN license. Also I am here to keep learning as I am always eager to keep learning.

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Sociology is the study of human behavior, groups of people, patters of human behavior. Just like humans study the world around us from geologist to chemists. Sociology is another branch of study of the human interactions and groups within societies. Learning from the behaviors in a quantitative and qualitative ways. Anthropology is a different study, but similar to sociology. Anthropology studies culture and people’s way of life. Sociology takes aspects from different sciences and also meshes with ideas and research. Sociologist focus on the present as to learn from the patterns in current society and external components that may or may not affect people.

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"Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both" -C Wright Mills.

The ability to connect personal challenges to larger social issues. For example. During the COVID19 pandemic many issues became aggravated during this time for society and individuals. Correlating this difficult time and the personal struggles of individuals would bring the idea of social imagination.

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Henslin's, Down to Earth Sociology, explains about how society classifies many issues in society as "Psychiatric" instead of realizing that it is a problem within a group it if only placed emphasis on the individual. I agree that there are many issues within our communities that are now seen as just "psychiatric" and just the one individual. Taking a step, we must realize that it may be a problem of the society as well. Many patterns within cultures are prevalent.

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“Wealth Inequality in the United States”

The YouTube video Wealth Inequality in the United States made me realized that what I believed to be the wealth of the United States was far from the truth. The video explains that many Americans have the misconception that the wealth is distributed in a more expansive way throughout the US. For example, I was under the conception that the Top 1% actually had less of the wealth in the United States. What I have learned is that the lower class and the middle class are really not that far away from each other in terms of wealth. The top one percent actually has an estimated 40% of the wealth in the United States. Republicans and Democrats both have agreed that there should be a more healthy and wealthy middle class.

As a 90’s era child I truly didn’t realize many aspects of the economy and wealth in the United States. I do not recall the public schools I attended ever teaching about wealth and economy. The older I became the more that I realized that our education system needs more education on these topics. I do think in some ways that the lower and middle class is kept suppressed as to work for major corporations. It seems like the education system develops good employees that will follow therefore keeping the lower and middle class the same through the generations. To think that the rich are making in one hour what a lower and or middle-class person makes in 1-2 months is really disturbing. It gives the sense that there is a lot more inequality than I was aware of in the United States. Growing up I was lower class with immigrant parents working really hard to get by. During the 90’s there were still many more one income families. This was the case for my home as well. Now it is almost impossible to carry a family of four on one salary. I think that the middle class is disappearing and the country’s wealth is mostly held by the higher class. It is definitely a shock to realize how much more unequal the wealth is my country. I would agree that the middle class should be larger. Less Americans would fall in the poor/ poverty line also helping the entire economy in the United States.

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As I read this chapter, I realized that I enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning. I DO enjoy the taste of coffee as it is a bitter and warm taste that I am accustomed to now. I some way I have always tried to be aware of the many gimmicks that are placed on products and brands to sell and up price items in America. The reality is that I never really thought about the source of my coffee or the trade involved to make it to my cup in the morning. This morning I am having Peet’s Coffee. I brew my coffee myself almost every day. The reason why I aim to do this is to save money and because I was not worried about carrying a logo around. On the other hand, reading this chapter does make me think about the people that are drawn to the logo for status. As a coffee drinker I have realized that many of the people that I know consume Starbucks on a regular basis don’t actually just drink coffee at Starbucks. The people I know that drink Starbucks drinks on the regular usually order drinks that are very high in sugar as well. Usually, it will be blended drinks and sweet teas. I have always felt that these people were more addicted to the sugar that was in the cups of coffee than the actual effect of the caffeine. I think by now as a society we know how incredibly addicting sugar is and how it leaves us wanting more. I believe that Starbucks has monopolized on that addiction in a cup.

The truth is I don’t think the issue of Fair trade is something that is a small-scale issue at all. I think that it is something that requires large scale changes to actually make difference. On the other hand, I do think that consumers ultimately can make a change for the actual company and the products that they sell and carry. Starbucks for example does gain more profit from the “second” and “third” space concepts. On the other hand, us as consumers are willing to pay that extra money to Starbucks for that space of bathroom use. I think that this issue brings up a lot more on the way that Americans choose to spend and consume. For myself, I will continue to drink my home brewed coffee. I will however pay closer attention to the source of my coffee and the trade philosophies of those companies.

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Sports are considered a huge part of any countries culture and sense of nationality. This is very much the case in the United States much of the culture is around sporting events ranging from children’s teams to professional teams. Everyone watches the Super Bowl, right? Our country has placed much value on sports and the benefits that being a team player brings.

During my upbringing my immigrant parents did not place a value on sports and recreational activities. Therefore, my sibling and did not play sports. The older I become and the more I learned about physical activity there more I knew that I wanted to give my children the opportunity to play sports. On the contrary my husband grew up play sports his entire life. He doesn’t understand what life without sports was like for a child. I am Mexican-American and grew up in a Spanish speaking household. My husband is “White” of Scandinavian decent. I have explained to him some of the differences in resources as a first-generation child and the struggles that we face. The text spoke mostly about White and African Americans and the segregation that African American’s faced before 1968. As a Mexican-American first generation adult I am now more aware of how biases are extremely prevalent. These biases that we all have toward races and ethnic groups can be extremely damaging. Although a majority of players in certain sports may be of one race it is important to take a step back and realize that anyone of any ethnicity can be a great athlete. It is the hard work and dedication and possibly the availability of resources that can make the biggest different in my opinion.

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This reading is a very powerful unique reading that allows the reader to place itself in the shoes of an African -American man in the 1950-1960’s. I attempted to envision myself in his shoes and what it must have been like to live in a world where segregation was the norm.

As for myself I was born and raised in California. All of the schools that I attended were so blended that I was raised in a way that I am very inclusive with culture. I feel that racism is something that is taught by people that have a mentality of superiority over other races. It is unfortunate that people in the current U.S. still can be very judgmental and stereotypical. I think that every person should be judged only by their character and their integrity not by the color of their skin. Martin Luther King said it best! I would have hated living in a time where people were segregated by skin tone. It is obvious that people still discriminate by it is much less common and more taboo to do some. I hope as a nation that we can continue learning about our cultures and integrating them to our “melting pot” or should I say melting soup.

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This passage by Ezekiel a Jewish writer takes us through a Klan rally that he attended and informs the outsider of these practices that have taken place and probably continue to take place. As a young Mexican-American in the 1990’s I remember reading and learning about KKK in school and thinking to myself, “Why would they do this”. I asked myself how people could be so hateful as to kill others just based on skin color and ethnicity. Ezekiel goes on to explain that he learned that these troubled individuals are actually feeling like they are doing something good for a larger group and for their brotherhood. They might see it also as a sense of invasion from other cultures and ethnic groups. As a Jewish man he also understood the hate that was placed on him as he walked the camp. I think that in our society in California we have done a better job about integrating all cultures but in other areas of the US there may still be racism actively displayed. Ezekiel makes a good point about how many individuals that may not want to be classified as a racist claim that they do not see color. What he explains is that it is not about not seeing color but about blending with our differences.

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1.     I am Hispanic, Mexican- American.

2.     I know because my parents are from Mexico City and they are a blend of Indigenous and Spanish blood primarily.

3.     I learned what race I was from my parents and country of origin. I received the early messages from my parents and in school. I learned to speak Spanish as my first language and when I got to elementary school, I realized that I was Mexican-American.

4.     I decided what other race people are primarily but physical features, I would say.

I think that other people decide what race I am also by my stature and features.

What is race?
Any one of the groups/ categories that human being are often divided into based on physical traits or ancestry.

What does it mean to say that race is socially constructed?
I think that race is constructed in some part by the government that needed to somehow divide and find way to group people into categories. I still don't find the correct "race" on forms for myself. I doesn't list latin or hispanic most of the time. I am forced to place myself as asian or white.

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Chapter 12: Music/ Race and Cultural Appropriation (JCB)

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Chapter 12: Music/ Race and Cultural Appropriation (JCB)

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Growing up in California one can become so accustomed to listening to hip-hop and rap that we forget to really understand where the music originated from and why. This chapter explored some history within the African- American culture and the links between the music industry. Due to the history of the oppression within the African-Americans in the U.S. it is difficult at time for blacks in the US to allow other races to make music within these genres that have been typically dominant and founded by African-Americans since the early 1970’s. African-Americans have used music to speak about the oppression and discrimination that they have faced in the past and continue to face in the modern US. The question is that there are white artist may be benefiting from the African-American culture and music without enduring the struggles of the oppressed group. That is where many African-Americans have a difficult time with other non-blacks filtering into the world of the predominantly black music genres. I do think that it is important for these white artists that decide to engage in making music with African-American roots to speak on the topics and to pay tribute to the early founders and oppressed groups. This subculture has influenced the world in music, fashion, and mannerisms that it is important to recognize where and why it originated. Music has always been used as a form of expression especially for groups with such history.

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When we think of poverty and socio-economic class, we know that they exist but do we attempt to understand how they exist and why they exist. The Uses of Poverty speaks on the functions of poverty in society. It makes 13 points on why poverty continues to exist. This exert helps you understand the aspects of poverty in society that keep the upper class in the upper-class position. I, myself never really thought about the upper class being in the upper class because of the poor doing the "dirty work". What I know realize is that this statement makes complete sense because if it wasn't for the lower paying jobs there wouldn't be the same number of profits at the top.

What I really began to question was how things could be different and that poverty isn’t the only way. The exert talks about income redistribution and how there would have to be a considerable amount of it to benefit the poor and not just the already rich. I think during this economy we are seeing considerable amounts of inflation but the rising costs is not helping the poor. Instead, it is affecting the poor and middle class even more. The once middle class is actually struggling to stay afloat especially in California.

The most intriguing line that I found in this exert is that poverty would not exist if it didn’t benefit the already affluent and powerful.

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Moving Up from the Working Class 383-394 (H)

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Moving Up from the Working Class 383-394 (H)

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As a first generation Mexican-American daughter for immigrants I am encouraged to peruse college and bettering myself.  However, I am not guided in the same way that an individual that has parents that attended college or even graduated. When I graduated high school in 2006, I found myself really confused because I knew that I wanted to attend college and I knew that I needed an education in order to “do better”. I found myself confused because I knew I couldn’t afford college. My parents were not paying for my education either. Instead, I can say that it was a really confusing time as a young adult. I found myself lost as to even apply to college or what courses to take. I knew that I had a disadvantage compared to my friends that had parents that graduated college and these friends were expected to attend a 4-year university straight out of high school. I was sheltered by my parents and I knew they would not like me moving a few hours away. Instead, I decided to attend Delta College in my hometown.

I think if It wasn’t for my persistence in attempting to “do better” I would have just quit college. As an adult coming back to finish my nursing degree, I realized that there were many disadvantage students that persevered to the “American Dream”. I recently graduated from the Nursing program at Delta College and my parents attended. I am now a 33-year-old female with a whole family and full- time career. My parents were proud of me and they knew that I had worked hard. However, I don’t think they actually understand the amount of difficulty one must go through to keep pushing and actually graduate college. As I read the childhood recollections of the sociologist in this section, I realized that I too saw myself in these categories of disadvantages. I will continue to persevere and keep learning and educating myself as to pave the way for my children.

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We might think that toys don’t really hold a meaning or important place in the lives of our children and kids. The truth is that toys do hold special places in our childhood, up brining, lives. Not only that but they influence social gender roles in society. I clearly remember wanting a Tamagotchi that were extremely popular in the 2000’s. I remember everyone brought them to school and showed them off. I had a little mermaid one. I was basically a virtual caregiver for the little mermaid and had to “keep her alive”. My brother on the other hand had a dog or pet Tamagotchi that was less “girly”. In this Chapter, Toys and gender were explored. The relationships between gender roles in a society seem directly affected by the types of toys that are provided to our children.

Little girls are always expected to like pink and princesses. While little boys are expected to like cars and building things. There is a major difference in the toys that projected for little girls and the ones for little boys. I grew up with one brother and we are only a few years apart. So, he played dolls with me and I played marbles with him. My brother and I didn’t view it as he was girly or I was boyish It was just that we only had each other to play with.

I do think that it’s society that presses such hard lines on gender. When our children don’t fit in these categories feel like we aren’t doing the right thing. This chapter spoke about how many parents live out their wishes through their children and the types of toys they provide for them. I think that for me as a parent I try to find a balance as a consumer and purchase less items like toys. Instead, I try to focus on experiences and sports. I feel like my children grow the most from these rather than just buying them all the toys their little heart’s desire. It is very important as a consumer and as a parent to stop and think. Is this really something that is good for my child or am I just adding another plastic toy to later throw out.

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I visited my local target store. I do have to note that target recently put out a campaign that aimed for bisexual and gay individuals. There are rainbow items found throughout the store. I found that target organized most toys by isles. The first few isles are baby toys and those were mostly mixed no particular gender. They appear to be based of age and development from infant to toddler. The next few isles were completely covered in pink. I assumed instantly these are the “girl” isles. In these isles there are dolls and a lot of items with Disney princesses and caregiver roles. Then I found the “boy” isle after which are filled with cars, monster trucks, and dinosaurs. I then found some isle with toys that had Jenga, Uno, monopoly, and fidget toys. I felt like that isle had the most gender- neutral toys.

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During the Gilded age in American the upper class comprised a list known as the Social Register. It seems like the purpose what too keep name of families and people that were wealthy enough to be placed on this list. It gave the children of these members privileges within the group. For example, entrance to Ivy League schools that would secure and maintain their upper class. Gaining membership to upper-class secret societies and eating clubs. The children of the wealthy were expected to find suitable partners within the group with maintain upper-class elites. Although times have changed a lot from the 1900’s a sense of similarity still exists. There still continues to be secret societies where wealth is a pre-requisite to gain entrance. There is still the separation from the rest of society. I believe that social media in some ways has changed society to be able to blend more despite “social-class”. It is common now to see from extremely wealthy individuals on Instagram or TikTok to poor people with barely enough to eat. In some ways I do like this about social media as a creates a type of common ground and unity between all social classes.

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Chapter 11 Beauty/ Ideology: Counting Beauty

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Chapter 11 Beauty/ Ideology: Counting Beauty

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I chose ELLE magazine since it is one of the top magazines in the U.S. This magazine is from New York and it known for beauty and fashion. I looked at 50 images within the magazine and this is what I found. There was a ratio of about 11:39 for male to women images. This is to be expected since this magazine has a target audience/ buyer of women primarily. For race I divided basically between white and other. I found that 13 of the images out of the 50 were non-white. Then I looked further and I found that more than have of those 13 images were of black women. Very few images depicted Latin and Asian ethnicity. Out of all of the images I only saw one woman that was overweight. This woman is currently running for governor in Georgia. Although social media has increased the number of “regular” bodies in modeling and pushed the norms of fashion. In high fashion models are still extremely thin and at time underweight.

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Becoming male speaks about little boys and how masculinity is perceived superior to femininity even in childhood. It all starts from before the child is born when everyone wants to know if you are having a girl or boy. These days people are having gender reveals. Many times, elaborate parties that expose the gender of the baby before the actual baby shower. Henslin talks about how baby showers were dominantly for women. That is something that has changed in our currently society both men and women attend baby showers.
I found myself reflecting on the ideas and ideology that Henslin speaks about with young boys with my own two boys. I do see my children portraying some of these ideologies. For example, we never allow our two boys ages six and seven to play with barbies or dress in "girly" clothes. However modern society doesn't see pink just being a girl color. My sons wear pink t-shirts sometimes or purple. Something that in the past was exclusively viewed as taboo.
I do feel like my husband enhances the ideology about being a man to our children and not being "sissy". Just like the book talks about. It is interesting to relate this topic to one’s personal life and attempt to understand why we say and do certain things.

I feel like times have changed very much in regards to raising boys. Many parents are a lot softer, if I may say, in raising their sons. The truth remains that we continue to live in a society that pays men more for the same job.

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Becoming female speaks about some of the pressures as a teenage girl at school and in society. I found the passage about girl’s focusing on appearance and weight really relatable. I think that there needs to be more exposure and guidance for teenage girls. Personally, I was always a little heavier in weight than the "popular" girls in my elementary school. I remember comparing myself many times to these girls. I wished that I would be skinnier. I didn’t want to be called fat because I had heard kids call other kids fat. As an adult I took control of my health and eating to maintain my weight. I now see many of my high school or elementary school friends that were the thinner ones end up being a lot heavier as adults.

Girls and women are continuously being sexualized in our current society. Many people will treat a pretty woman way different than an a less attractive woman. I have noticed major differences in treatment when I am “dressed up” with make-up and heels vs. everyday gym wear and no make-up. Since society pushes image much more now with social media and images.
Women go to more extremes and surgeries to achieve a desired image. Many times, body dysmorphia develops and the person never is content with the way they appear. I think currently women are expected to keep up with their image, have a career, be educated, be an excellent mother, etc. The pressure has magnified for women along with image.

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(H) Sexuality and Gender in Children's Daily Worlds (180-191)

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(H) Sexuality and Gender in Children's Daily Worlds (180-191)

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Interestingly enough Thorne and Luria touch basis on children play and segregation between girls and boy in childhood play. In early childhood children are much less attentive to treating girls and boys different. Instead, they are able to play similarly with both sexes. Soon children in elementary school age begin segregating with “cooties”. I remember as a child I mostly had friends that were girls that I played with at recess. I think that when other kids saw a boy and a girl together a lot then they would tease them and say they like each other. It is interesting how society leads us into these behaviors. What we believe is socially acceptable is what we will probably end up doing. Bonding for girls and boys are completely different experiences as children. I think in the U.S. there is much more acceptance of other behavior in general especially in such a diverse state like California. Children from all different cultures and ethnicities attend schools making socially acceptable behavior much broader. Diversity changes the “norm” and pushes boundaries within heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior and play.

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Tannen speak on differences between women and men’s communication. In general, Women speak and soften the way they feel to not come off mean or rude. Men typically speak direct and don’t add apologies or explanations. I think the examples that were represented by Tannen are very realistic. I myself have learned to deal with different men and women management styles. Many times, women that act like men when communicating (as management) are seen as a “bitch”. I myself have judged women like this. The reality is that managers have different styles and not all are going to be so soft. Some will have a direct style like men do. After working as a psychiatric technician in a male prison I have learned sarcasm and now I find myself that some women in general public don’t understand my sarcastic jokes. I have found that the teasing and sarcasm breaks the ice and males find you witty. I believe that my sense of humor has helped me get along better with officers in my job and create better comradery.

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(H) 341-348 The Importance of Being Beautiful 

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(H) 341-348 The Importance of Being Beautiful 

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Beauty in the eye of the beholder, right? Well, the truth is that beauty and beauty standards affect how people treat us and also shape our lives. Katz speaks on how studies actually prove that beautiful people have advantages in the way people perceive them and treat them on a regular basis. I never actually thought about the idea that people perceive more beautiful people to be more honest and have a better character. When I read that study, I instantly thought back to my own judgements and personal opinions. I do think that if a person is well put together, they represent someone that cares about their hygiene and appearance which in turn can make them seem more capable. However, with time and experience my personal opinion is that sometimes beautiful people feel that they are better than or have some kind of privilege. I have been told personally that they believe that I would be that kind of person and to their surprise I wasn’t. I don’t know if it is because my parents raised me to be humble and down to earth or if it is because I wasn’t considered “beautiful growing up.

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Women in the military for many decades was very controversial since women were in the military to become soldiers. More recently it is more acceptable for women to be a part of any branch on the military. Miller conducted a study where she interviews active-duty Army soldiers in 1992-1994. During that particular time in history, it was mostly a time of peace besides Somalia and the end of dessert storm. Men felt that women should not be enlisted in the military but instead become employed by jobs where they were also to perform “all duties”.

From the interviews Miller concluded that men were reluctant to voice out their opinions about the way the actually felt due to reprimands and being labeled as prejudice. The men interview felt that women should not be allowed in military since they were able to promote faster if they had sexual relations with other soldiers. Also, the men interviewed felt that they would be the group that was discriminated against since women soldier were not held to the same standard as men soldiers.

Women in combat roles was one of the most controversial topics and continues to be. I asked my husband what he felt about this issue. My husband was a war air force veteran. He replied that unfortunately women are unable to perform special operation forces as well as men. Men typically have an instinct that may come naturally to protect at a different level. Although they there are women that may have excellent combat skills and are physically equipped it may still not equal a male soldier’s ability to kill. Women tend to lack the ability to “turn off” emotions when it comes to killing. Also, my husband brought up issues that may arise such as male soldiers may have to stay at the field for weeks at a time and may sexualize a women soldier and vice versa. Special operations troops support women in any other job such as infantry units but spec ops.

The reality is that there are many women in the military and hold higher ranks then some male soldiers. We must continue to observe the evolution and learn from history.

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Wedding and marriage are made to be one of the most important things a woman will through. Depending on the ethnicity some cultures prep so much for a wedding and even save since childhood. For some cultures a wedding is a big display for the family and the bride. I am Mexican- American and my parents have been married for over 30 years now. They only had a simple elopement with no real reception or party. My mother didn’t wear a wedding dress of have a fancy ring. However, my parents devoted themselves to their marriage and kids (My brother and I). I was never raised with the idea of a huge wedding or an amazing party. I also eloped last year to my husband. I wore a white dress but, it was really simple. My husband and I both agreed that we want to renew our vow with a wedding and have our family attend. The white wedding dream was never a true priority of mine. Instead, I idolized a healthy happy marriage. In 2022 a simple wedding is clearly over 20,000 dollars. Therefore, my husband and I preferred to wait for now. I think that we are both okay with not having a huge wedding so we conformed to eloping because we valued our union more than a wedding. For other Mexican-American women a white wedding is more important especially in catholic religion. I think one’s ideas all depend on what our family expectations were and what we find to be important.

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The “American Family” has changed and evolved very much since the 1950’s. Although many people think that our society and family life is getting worse, this may not be necessarily true. In the 1950’s our society and problems were completely different. They did exist but there was no social media to expose cheaters or phones to prove anything. The issues in families were still very similar in nature but women hid children out of wedlock and also hid mentally ill children. Many Americans built a stable life due to stability from the government in a form of GI bill. Many societal issues were not exposed. African Americans and Mexican Americans lived different lives than whites during that era. The resources were different and there were still rigid gender roles. Poverty rates were higher in that era than now.

Currently women have the option to live as a single mother. In the past women or unwed mothers fled out of the town and placed their children for adoption. Women currently have more rights therefore those rights change the way society lives. Currently there are many marriages that are not typical and also single parent homes. I think that women have more options in the new American family model. Fathers in current society are expected to not just be providers like before. Therefore, women are less likely to feel so overwhelmed in the home. I think the reality is that in the past family issues were hidden but still there.

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(H) 277-286 Eating Your Friends is the Hardest: The survivors of the F-227

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(H) 277-286 Eating Your Friends is the Hardest: The survivors of the F-227

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The story of the survivors of a propellor driven Fairchild from Uruguay was a fascinating story. I found myself putting myself in the survivor’s shoes and thinking about what I would do. First of all, I am amazed at the courage of these survivors. This type of situation and tragedy must have been so difficult. Even after surviving the actual crash that was not over. Surviving until they found help.

I thought to myself what would I do? I know that cannibalism is wrong. I find cannibalism to be some type of evil behavior. I have watched documentaries on people that actually try to practice this is a normal behavior, but it is far from normal. The truth is that I would probably do the same thing that these survivors did. I would try really hard to avoid eating my friends and family. I would avoid it at all costs. I would probably give into eating other humans to survive as they did in that situation.

This group of people were able to change the meaning of cannibalism to them. By changing the meaning they were able to engaged in that behavior to survive. I think this was all out of pure survival instinct. These people did not want to die. They did everything they could to see another day. They had to change their frame of mind and symbolism associated with cannibalism in order to survive.

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(H) 315-321 The Pathology of Imprisonment

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(H) 315-321 The Pathology of Imprisonment

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Zimbardo speaks on injustices in the prison system and how the “system” does nothing to rehabilitate inmates. The reality is that in the past there was treatment of this sort done to inmates in California. Many inmates have sued the State of California successfully. Also, family of the inmates have sued the state. Currently inmates in California not only have same right practically as a person on the street but they also receive 3 free meals and pay nothing for medical, dental, and housing. The situation for inmates has drastically changed so much that some are awarded thousands of dollars if they successfully sue the state for minimal inconveniences. The state of California offers opportunities for continued education and gender reassignment.

I am currently employed for the State of California, CDCR. The prison system. They have drastically changed from what is explained by Zimbardo. I do not negate the fact that injustices happened for inmates to receive better treatment and rights.

I do however know that depending on the state the prisons provide different resources. I work for a mental health department where inmates can receive services by psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers, rehabilitation therapy, and group therapy to name a few. Currently, I think the general public has a misconception that inmate in California is treated so badly by the prison system but the reality is far from that. Many times, the politics from other inmates and gangs are the ones that actually regulate.

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(H) 322-334 On Being Sane in Insane Places

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(H) 322-334 On Being Sane in Insane Places

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On Being Sane in Insane Places, was one of the most interesting readings that I found in this book. Rosenhan speaks about societal view of sanity and insanity. Is there a clear difference between the two or are we all just a mixture of sane and insane behaviors?

I actually have worked in mental health for over a decade. I found this section really close to home. I remember in my training and clinicals as a psychiatric technician, I questioned much of what went on in the locked institutions and in the board and care settings. As an outsider I viewed everything with a questioning eye. To the instructors and caretakers, it was all “normal schizophrenic behavior”. I do think that staff that work in mental health begin to normalize the behavior of the labels or diagnosis. Maybe so much that we forget to question things further. The way mental health in the community is completely different from that of the locked state institutions. The reality is that many pedophiles and criminals preferred to be deemed insane in order to serve their sentence in a state hospital versus a prison.

I believe this section really opens mental health to the outsider perspective. Mental health and mental illness are to be seen as constantly evolving within the individual. The truth is that many mentally ill individuals behave “normal” often. Therefore, this may be some of the reasons the pseudo patient’s behavior was not questioned. To the community “Crazy” people are always crazy. The truth is they are not. They may integrate to society well for a period of time then have a break again. Treating mental illness is something that is very gray. It is not black and white. Mental illness is still very new to research.

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(H)470-480  Police Accounts of Normal Force

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(H)470-480  Police Accounts of Normal Force

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Police brutality and excessive use of force of hot topics in the last few years. They are also very specific incidents of police force that were televised. Specifically, one of the most notorious cases of police excessive use of force was the George Floyd case. In the recent years police excessive use of force has received so much spotlight. Mainly since phones are able to capture real footage of events unlike in the past. Police are expected to protect and serve the community. On the other hand, as Hunt explained there are many factors and situations that can drive an officer to act in a more aggressive way.

Since I have worked for State of California CDCR, I have experienced many situations where inmates manipulate the system and somewhere staff may use more force than needed. The thing about situations is that when they happen, they are happening so fast that at times a type of flight of fight instinct may occur. In some instances where survival is priority for police officers.

Some of the videos seen become manipulated by the media and therefore the media sends out only a partial view of what happened. Misinformation is sent to the public about police officers. The reality is that many officers in current times are afraid to act due to the reprimands. Not only that but officers are now expected to year body cams that record anytime they arrive to an altercation or a subject is questioned. Police officers are humans and although are expected to behave extremely tactical and almost robotic, they too might fear for their lives. In other situation the police officer may use excessive use of for due to departments under training. I think that police officers require much more training since they have to make contact with individuals regularly. It is difficult to say if a police officer is using excessive use of force and they best way I think would be to actually be out in the field with the officer. They face many dangers in the community but many still aim to serve and protect.

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(H) 446-460 Kindergarten as Academic Boot Camp

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(H) 446-460 Kindergarten as Academic Boot Camp

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Kindergarten and conventional schools are an interesting place. Although we have come to see the school system as a norm in our society it has not always been this way. In the 1800s school were more home based and only had few students in a room. Currently most schools are within a district of schools that govern what is taught and how it is taught. Kindergarten is a place that is especially designed to help young children basically follow commands from adults and socialize. Kindergarten and preschool both teach children basic concepts from sharing to sitting in a circle for story time.

During COVID and after COVID many parents began thinking about homeschooling their children. Many parents continue to be reluctant to vaccinate their young children with these new COVID-19 vaccines. Also, as a country we are seeing many mass shootings in public schools which are pushing parents to rethink public school as a “safe place”.

As a parent of a new graduate of kindergarten I have noticed a huge difference in behavior from preschool to kindergarten. The expectation for kindergarteners in California public schools is set high. They must learn a long list of curriculums. I am currently in my 30’s and when I was in kindergarten the expectation was way less. I believe that more of my friends and family are attempting to home school due to the bureaucracies of the public schools. It is important to consider all these factors as a parent to be able to provide the education and mentality that you feel is right for your family.

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When I think back to a person that describes weird and crazy to me, I think of one of my female coworkers. She is a psychiatric technician. The behaviors that she exhibits are: pressured speech, hyperverbal, sexual preoccupation, and tremendous amounts of energy. This coworker, let’s call her H. H laughs extremely loud even when everyone else may not be laughing at a particular conversation. She is about 55yrs old. She is a white and Mexican single woman. She grew up in poverty and also was extremely poor when raising her only son. Currently she would be considered middle-class. She works tremendous number of hours of overtime. My other coworkers call her crazy and weird too. She openly speaks about having ADHD. She once told me and my coworkers in a loud conversation that she had contracted HPV from her boyfriend because he cheated. I immediately felt embarrassed for her. She also told us on another occasion that she had called in to work because she had to masturbate. I was shocked to say the least. She is one unique woman and I respect her. However, I do not see myself sharing these types of conversations openly with a group of not so close coworkers. She even labels herself as crazy. She will say, “you know I’m crazy, I don’t care”. My coworkers and I have adapted to her and accepted the label. Therefore, we see past it all. We basically accept her as “crazy and weird”.