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I am taking this sociology class because I want to better understand how society functions and how social structures influence human behavior. I’m particularly interested in learning about topics like inequality, cultural norms, and how individuals interact within various groups. This knowledge will help me not only in my personal growth but also in working more effectively with diverse groups of people in my future career. I also hope to develop critical thinking skills to analyze social issues and contribute positively to society

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A Reflection on Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann Week 2

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A Reflection on Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann Week 2

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Summary of Key Points:

Johnston, Cairns, and Baumann discuss how social institutions, particularly family and education, are foundational in shaping individual behaviors and maintaining societal norms. These institutions are the first agents of socialization, teaching individuals the values, behaviors, and roles expected by society from an early age. The authors emphasize that socialization through institutions is essential for societal stability and individual identity development.

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really connected with the authors' idea that family is the first and most significant agent of socialization. Growing up, my family instilled values like respect and the importance of education, which I see reflected in my academic journey today. I often think about how much these early lessons shaped my work ethic and approach to setting goals. For example, my parents always emphasized hard work and perseverance in school, which made me value education and led me to pursue academic challenges in college. I wonder how different my path might have been if my family had different priorities.

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While the reading focuses on traditional institutions like family and schools, I found myself thinking about how modern influences, like social media, are changing the landscape of socialization. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are acting as new agents of socialization, shaping behaviors, self-perception, and even cultural trends. For example, are these platforms now replacing some traditional family roles? Could they be teaching values and behaviors that conflict with what we learn from family or education? I’m curious how these modern influences align with or challenge the traditional theories of socialization.

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This reading ties into our discussions on functionalism, which views institutions as necessary for maintaining social order and stability. According to functionalist theory, family and education are central to teaching shared societal values. But in today’s world, with social media emerging as a significant force, I wonder how much functionalism still applies. Are institutions like family still as effective at socializing children, or is there a growing gap between traditional and modern forms of socialization?

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I watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix, which explores how social media platforms manipulate users and influence their behaviors. The documentary highlights the growing role of these platforms as socializing agents, especially for younger generations. It’s striking how much social media can shape our sense of identity, much like traditional institutions once did. This shift away from face-to-face interactions and traditional socialization is concerning—how much control do institutions like family still have in an increasingly digital world? Link to the documentary.

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This week’s reading made me think deeply about the foundational role of family and other traditional institutions in shaping who we are as individuals. But it also raised important questions about how modern technologies like social media are altering the way we are socialized. Are these changes for better or worse? What does this mean for future generations, and how should we balance digital influences with traditional forms of socialization?