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Age. The Privilege Project. (n.d.). https://theprivilegeproject.org/privileges/age/

Jin, C. H. (2021, May 25). 6 charts that dismantle the trope of Asian Americans as a model minority. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/25/999874296/6-charts-that-dismantle-the-trope-of-asian-americans-as-a-model-minority

Rosenblum, K. E., & Travis, T.-M. (2016). Constructing Categories of Difference. In The meaning of difference American constructions of race and ethnicity, sex and gender, social class, sexuality, and disability (pp. 2–50). essay, McGraw-Hill Education.

Spencer, Q. (n.d.-a). 8/29/23 Async Lecture. Canvas - Learning Systems - Virginia Commonwealth University. https://virginiacommonwealth.instructure.com/courses/81714/discussion_topics/631496

Spencer, Q. (n.d.). Status and Identity. Canvas - Learning Systems - Virginia Commonwealth University. https://virginiacommonwealth.instructure.com/courses/81714/discussion_topics/614103?module_item_id=2910621

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How will your experiences and understanding of difference impact your work as a social worker?

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How will your experiences and understanding of difference impact your work as a social worker?

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As a social worker, I have to set aside my biases towards individuals who are placed into categories because society tells me that this is "who" they are, but that is not their true self. I must look past their master statuses in order to find the individual that my clients truly are.. I must also treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve while also being mindful of differences of their own self, culture, and ethnicity while finding solutions for their client's needs (NASW, 2021).

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In your life, how have you experienced your stigmatized statuses and your privileged statuses? How have these experiences influenced your understanding of difference?

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In your life, how have you experienced your stigmatized statuses and your privileged statuses? How have these experiences influenced your understanding of difference?

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Stigmatized Status: I was often berated by my classmates in high school that I should be able to understand this material better than others because I'm Asian. I also recall the time that those very same classmates would make fun of Asian-Americans, by intentionally squinting their eyes and calling me "ching-chong", even though I'm not from China.

Privileged Statuses: I first experienced of having the privilege of being able-bodied when I saw someone who had an amputated arm. Seeing what was the remnants of an arm really made me think about my body. I started to think about what would it be like having no arm and what difficulties may come with having a crucial part of the body gone.

Both experiences have taught me that the statuses that the individuals are born with can be a privilege and a stigma. It also accentuates slight changes whether it be your age or body that can be placed into a category that can be viewed negatively by society.

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Of those master statuses, which do you consider to be stigmatized statuses and which are privileged?

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Of those master statuses, which do you consider to be stigmatized statuses and which are privileged?

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Out of the master statuses, I think being Asian American is considered a stigmatized status. Asian Americans are considered the role minority, which creates pressure and problems because society expects this one category to do good because they are seen as individuals who have achieved higher success than the public (Jin, 2021).

And for privileges, I believe that my age and my ability to be able-bodied is considered a privilege. With my age, I am seen by society as an individual who can adapt to the workload and that I can keep up since I am a young individual (The Privilege Project). Being able-bodied is taking our bodies for granted as I can walk, read, see without worrying about any impairments that could affect my ability to be able-bodied.

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What do you consider to be your master statuses?

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What do you consider to be your master statuses?

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Master status, as described by Emily Beckman from the discussion topic about Status and Identity in Canvas is the primary categories that is most important for the individual. This can range from sex, gender, religion, and etc.

Applying the information to myself, I would be a twenty year old able Asian male.

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How does the process of dichotomization affect your understanding of difference?

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How does the process of dichotomization affect your understanding of difference?

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I'm more aware of how society uses dichotomization to label people in different categories, which creates an issue in power because society will always favor a category that they view is positive compared to other categories that individuals are placed in.

So taking this information of what I know about dichotomization and categories from the 8/29/23 asynchronous lecture, difference is created by adding categories that separate the individual from the greater categories that society favors upon. The difference can be good and bad, which can definitely hamper/improve the quality of life for the individual if they are placed in a category that is viewed in positive or negative way.

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Difference is defined in the framework section in the textbook as the individual's master statuses that defines their identity. Difference can also be defined as individuals placed in different categories that is perceived by the majority of society. (Rosenblum & Travis, pg 35.)