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Tattoos
Then: In the past (1950s and earlier), tattoos were considered deviant. People thought only criminals, gang members, or rebellious people got them. It was seen as unprofessional or dangerous.

Now: Tattoos are common and socially accepted. Many teachers, doctors, and business people have tattoos.

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The Civil Rights Movement fought for equal rights and an end to segregation for Black Americans. Because of this movement, I experience life today in a society where laws protect my right to equal education, voting, and public access. While inequality still exists, the social and legal changes of that era shaped a foundation that allows me and others to have more opportunities and protections than would have been possible without their efforts.

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Environmental issues and changes to the earth impact my life and the future.

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Cultural trends shape what I like and how I act.

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The job market changes how I make and spend money.

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Birth

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Smoking in Public
Then: In the 1960s–80s, people could smoke almost anywhere — on planes, in restaurants, even at work. It was totally normal.

Now: Smoking in public is often banned. It’s seen as unhealthy and inconsiderate. People may judge you for it.

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Many people are fleeing their homes due to conflicts and crises, creating a global problem.

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A global agreement to fight climate change by reducing emissions.

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4. The graph illustrates the evolution of diabetes in the US over time. It tracks years, the percentage of people with diabetes, and the total number of people each year that had diabetes. The Big Issue here is that diabetes is now much more common than it was before.

5. This matters now because people spend more money on doctors, the need to eat healthy, and new ways to treat it.

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historical trend of something in the social world. Examples include the economy, education, health, religion, environment, or public opinion on an issue

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I chose a smartphone as my artifact. I use it every day to talk to people, stay connected, and get things done. In my culture, having a smartphone shows you’re part of the modern, connected world. The brand or apps someone uses can say a lot about their personality or style. Before smartphones, people used flip phones or landlines. There are unspoken rules, like not being on your phone during meals, and using it carelessly—like texting while driving—can have serious consequences.

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From a conflict theory perspective, gender inequality and LGBTQ discrimination exist because society benefits those in power—often cisgender men and heterosexuals—while limiting opportunities for marginalized groups. I’ve noticed social expectations around gender can make it harder to express myself, and friends who are LGBTQ or outside traditional gender roles have faced being underestimated, misgendered, or excluded. People with different genders or sexual identities often face even greater barriers, like unequal pay and discrimination, showing how deeply these norms reinforce inequality.

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A worldwide disease outbreak caused illness, death, and major disruptions.

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Religion - 2020

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Religion - 2020

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One major change in the religious landscape between my grandparents’ lifetimes and mine is the rise of the “nones”—people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” While most of my grandparents’ generation were strongly affiliated with a specific religion, by 2020 more young people were choosing not to follow organized religion. This shift shows how American beliefs are becoming more diverse and individualized over time. A graph showing trends in religious affiliation or a symbol representing my own beliefs could illustrate this change.

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Religion

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Racial and ethnic inequality in the U.S. is seen in trends like median household income, where Black and Hispanic households earn less than white households. Conflict theory explains this by showing how society benefits those in power while limiting opportunities for marginalized groups. This issue has made me more aware of unequal opportunities in schools and jobs. People I know from minority backgrounds have faced discrimination in work, education, or housing, while others experience barriers like harsher treatment in the criminal justice system or language and employment discrimination.

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Education - 2023

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Education - 2023

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One manifest function of the education system that affects me is learning academic skills like reading, writing, and math, which prepare me for future work and life. A latent function is the socialization I experience—making friends, learning teamwork, and understanding social norms. Elements like access to advanced classes, school funding, and teacher quality have also affected my potential to succeed, showing how inequalities in the education system can influence opportunities even when I work hard.

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I am interested in the climate change movement because it addresses the urgent environmental challenges affecting our planet. This issue is important because the choices society makes now will determine the availability of resources, air and water quality, and overall health for future generations. If we take strong action, future generations may live in a safer, more sustainable world. If not, they could face more extreme weather, resource shortages, and environmental disasters that would greatly impact their quality of life.

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Module 11 - Social Institutions: The Economy and Work - 2023

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Module 11 - Social Institutions: The Economy and Work - 2023

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Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that more people, including friends and family, are taking on gig work or part-time jobs instead of traditional full-time careers. This shift has made it harder for some to save money or plan long-term, but it also allows for more flexibility. In the future, I think the economy will affect me by influencing the kind of job I can get and how much I can earn. Rising living costs and competition for jobs may make it more important to develop specialized skills and consider multiple income sources.

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Module 11 - Social Institutions: Family - 2023

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Module 11 - Social Institutions: Family - 2023

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More young adults, including some in my extended family, are living with their parents longer than previous generations, often due to rising living costs and student debt. This has affected my family by changing household responsibilities and support dynamics. I think this trend will continue, encouraging stronger intergenerational support but also delaying milestones like independence, marriage, and buying a home.

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older people still living with their parents

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One big agent of socialization in my life has been school. Its main purpose is to teach me things like math and writing, but it also taught me how to work with others and follow social rules. Through school, I learned the importance of responsibility, fairness, and doing my best. It really shaped how I see myself—kind of like Cooley’s idea of the looking-glass self—because I started to understand how others saw me and how my behavior affected them. It helped me grow into the person I am today.

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Politics

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Politics

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I will turn 18 in 2029, which will let me vote and have a direct voice in politics. Major issues that concern me include climate change, education funding, healthcare access, and social justice. A graph showing public concern over climate change or education could represent these issues. When choosing a candidate, I would consider their positions on these topics and how well they represent people like me. While I try to form my own views, my family and community also influence my political opinions.

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Module 10 - Social Institutions: Politics

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My primary group, my family, and my secondary group, my school friends, have both shaped who I am. In my family, my role is being a supportive daughter and sibling, while with my friends, I’m someone they can count on and have fun with. These groups have taught me how to communicate, be responsible, and understand others’ feelings. They influence how I act and make decisions, encouraging me to stay true to my values while also adapting to different social situations.

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My favorite movie is The Breakfast Club. This movie taught messages about stereotypes and how they don’t fully define who someone is. It showed role expectations like the “brain,” “athlete,” “basket case,” “princess,” and “criminal,” which reflect how students are often boxed into labels at school. The movie helped me understand that people are more complex than the roles society gives them, and it influenced how I think about empathy and not judging others too quickly.

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Module 12 - Social Institutions: Health and Medicine

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Module 12 - Social Institutions: Health and Medicine

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A public issue that influences my health beyond my control is unequal access to healthcare and healthy food, often called living in a “food desert.” This issue affects people’s ability to get nutritious meals and medical care, which can lead to long-term health problems. I believe part of my health is under my direct control through choices like what I eat, how active I am, and whether I follow medical advice. However, a large part of my health is shaped by my social world, such as income level, neighborhood resources, school health education, and access to doctors.