DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Darius Muniz

Professor  Vaso Thomas

Sociology 11  3286Q

September 26th 2009

 

 

 

                                                            W.I. Thomas (Response#1)

 

                  “If men define situations as real, they become real in their consequences

 

            I think W.I Thomas is stating that a situation is only as serious as the importance we attach to it.  Once men have made their minds up in a course of action, you can be sure that action will be followed through until it manifests the desired outcome or until it destroys its creator in the process.

A thought is powerless by itself, but add the physical capabilities of a determined and motivated person and that thought can change the course of history and the very way we live life. So in essences, we create the environment we surround ourselves with and through power of mind shape and manipulate all aspects of that environment.

With this reality comes great responsibility for each environments creator to apply knowledge and understanding when defining situations as important and valid from those that are mere vices of man that will serve the wants of a few instead of the needs of all.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Darius Muniz

Professor Vaso Thomas

Sociology 11 3286Q

September 25th 2009

 

 

                                          In what ways are you a social being? (Response#2)

 

            The very definition of being human is social in nature, from the first moment we feel a touch or hear the warm voice of our mothers; we are now on the search for more. From the first time we see images, shadows, and shapes, it sparks our curiosity and wonder. The need to be social is early lived and expands all through our existence until we exist no more. From the first playground experience in the sand box, or on the swings, or maybe the jungle gym, we search for potential playmates. The first cartoon we watched, we interacted with the fictional characters either mimicking behavior or singing along.

            As we mature and grow emotionally and physically our social relationships or roles become more complex and diverse. Through adolescence we tend to identify with people we are social with and take from our environments all the things that interest us. We develop likes, wants, dislikes and other preferences through being social and acquiring experiences of life for our learning purposes. In fact, the very way we learn derives from being social with our environments and without which the learning process would be greatly impeded.

            So in every aspect of my coming to be the person I am today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life, I am down to my soul a social being. For everything I will teach my children, it will be through the means of social interaction and communication. For the mark I will leave on this world and on history, for the accomplishments and failures I will experience, the triumphs and defeats endured, and for every action that will define my existence on this planet as a child, brother, son, father, husband and every other title that defines me and all the rest of us as social beings. We are all but pieces to the same puzzle called life and the sooner we realize that the sooner we can accomplish so much more in our lifetimes and for the benefit of our future generations.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Darius Muniz

Professor Vaso Thomas

Sociology 11  3286Q

October  25th 2009

 

                                                  Agents of Socialization (Response#3)

 

            The agents of socialization are social forces that influence our lives and alter our self-images. Among these social forces there are seven distinct categories which are: the family, the school, the peer group, the mass media, the workplace, religion, and the state. These social agents serve as catalysts of socialization through the process of interaction and the constant analyzing and utilization of information as a means of adaptation to our environments.

            The family is the most important agent in the socialization process which starts immediately after birth and is a constant influence in shaping a person’s entire life. Our families are our first teachers and are responsible for giving us our first notions about the world. Through them we learn how to become socialized and how to behave appropriately according to societal standards, which in turn will improve your chances for survival in said society. Without the foundation provided by the family structure early in life, we would be left to acquire information from other agents of socialization and these other agents may not always provide information and survival tactics that would benefit our well-being.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Darius Muniz

Professor Vaso Thomas

Sociology 11 3286Q

November 12, 2009

 

                                                                 The Koreans

            The Koreans utilized small business as their answer to the socioeconomic conditions in which white collar main stream jobs were often closed to them, as a means in which to flourish in New York City. Due to the large number of small businesses owned by Koreans and the resulting stimulation on the local economy, the Koreans have created a means in which to ensure economic growth and stability for them and their future generations in America.

            Protestantism was practiced in South Korea and therefore reestablished by migrants here in the United States. Protestant churches acted as surrogate neighborhoods for Koreans to interact with each other and bring community among their population and hence led to their stability.

            An ethnic class resource as described by Kim for the Koreans are money, advanced education, high economic motivation, a work ethic, and professional or business skills which are derived from the social class circumstances of the immigrants in South Korea. Pretty much the skills and tools an ethnic group will utilize towards their advantage which are determined and shaped by the social class environments they have been accustomed to in their home lands.

Illsoo Kim utilizes the research method of ethnography which uses a holistic approach in determining all aspects of a specific culture or social groups defining attributes and characteristics.

The push factors that led to Korean migration to the U.S. were overpopulation and the severe conditions as a result, and the post war political uncertainties that were ever present in their country. The tensions between North and South Korea since the Korean War, has led many upper and middle class Koreans to leave for the United States and more stable living conditions.                                               The pull factors would be the prospect of greater achievement for them and their families in an environment where opportunities are abundant for all. As life in Korea becomes increasingly incapable of maintaining the increasing expectations of its citizens, the appeal of life in the United States has become a major factor in the decision to migrate.

As in Korea, Korean migrants tended to choose large metropolitan areas as their homes and tended to inter mix among other European populations not isolating themselves like other migrant groups most likely did in culture specific neighborhoods. It would seem that the Koreans were not affected or influenced by social discrimination in determining their place of residence and with the means and stability created by their small business endeavors, had no difficulty in integrating and actually flourishing in a competitive environment.

            Koreans seem to utilize their proficiency for business and seem to adapt to changing economic factors in creating Korean friendly resources and goods. Whether business is derived from Korea with relations from the outside U.S or if it originates in the United States itself, Koreans span all aspect of professional and business endeavors to help the economic stability and hence help to create the escalating social status of their ethnic group.

            In the aspect of supply and demand, the Latino and African American populations make up a large portion of the Koreans customer base. The Koreans retail markets are minority oriented and are generally located in these race-specific minority areas. So you can conclude that the Koreans rely on these minority groups for financial growth and the minorities rely on the Koreans for distribution of consumer goods which makes this relationship interdependent.

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.