The concept of social identity, social class,gender and...

Social Identity is the understanding of who we are, and reciprocally, other peoples understanding of themselves. Richard Jenkins believed that this social identity is achieved through socialization within social groups. He argued that by placing themselves in the role of others, people, particularly children, gain a greater understanding of the role that they should play. For example, a six-year-old girl playing mommy with her dolls will, as she gets into the role, begin to understand what a mother expects from a daughter and will, in response, be able to perform her own role as a daughter better. This is known as the play stage. Identity taking or role-playing is, according to Tony Bilton, the primary way in which individuals creates†¦show more content†¦However various people have proved such expectations wrong. Ann Oakley (1972) firmly believed that the culture of a society is what determines the type of behaviour displayed by the sexes. I believe that that assumption is right. If one compared the behaviour of a woman in India to that of a woman living in North America one would certainly notice a huge difference in behaviour. The constant demand of liberty for all helps to form females identity in North America. They demand and get freedom of speech; movement and can occupy any job in society. This is not the case with Indian women. Not only when born is a girl considered a liability but she is also treated as inferior to the male of the species. In many cases, Indian women are viewed as possessions. As in the example of the Pakistani girl, possessions can be tampered with to teach lessons to the offending family. It is kind of like stealing cattle with the knowledge that the person who owns it will feel upset because they intended to kill it and get some meat. Because of this type of treatment, Indian women tend to be more timid and probably consider an American woman bold. They would not dream of interrupting a man while he is speaking far less disagreeing with him, certain jobs are closed to them and their world would more or less revolve around keeping their husbands and families happy. The realization ofShow MoreRelatedWhat Is Identity? Who Defines Such, And How Is It Constructed?1570 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is identity? Who defines such, and how is it constructed? The Oxford English dictionary, describes identity as â€Å"being who, or what a person is, and the characteristics determining who, or what that person is.† But, identity is much more complex than its dictionary definition. Although the word â€Å"identity† is used correctly in everyday discourse, its meaning is not captured by the definition. Identity has a double sense, it can refer to one’s self, a personal identity; but at the same timeRead MoreSocial Stratification : Social Class, Ethnicity, Age, And Gender1074 Words   |  5 Pages It is in the human nature to be social beings, and have a social identity. Social stratification is the organization of individuals into social groups based on their access to basic needs. Aspects that affect social stratification are wealth, power, and prestige. Wealth is the amount of currency or goods that an individual or family owns. This can include money, houses, livestock, etc. Power is the ability for one to achieve their goals regardless of opposition. Wealth is directly related toRead MoreEssay about Educational Achievement and Development1338 Words   |  6 Pagesin developing their individual identity. 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The term race refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics (which usually result from genetic ancestry). Race presumes shared biological or genetic traits, whether actual or asserted and the category to which others assign individuals on the basis of physical characteristics. Races areRead MoreRace And Ethnicity : Biological And Sociological Factors957 Words   |  4 PagesRace and Ethnicity both relates to biological and sociological factors respectively and even though they can overlap, they are distinct. The term race refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics (which usually result from genetic ancestry). Race presumes shared biological or genetic traits, whether actual or asserted and the category to which others assign individuals on the basis of physical characteristics. Races areRead MoreThe Presentation Of The Self By Irving Goffman1167 Words   |  5 Pages The sociological concept ‘dramaturgy’, was developed by Irving Goffman (1922 – 1982) and initially used in his book The Presentation of the Self (1959). The concept was also a feature of subsequent works Behavior in Public Places (1963) and Interaction Rituals (1967), where the focus was on interaction and social scene rather than self-presentation and identity work. Dramaturgy uses the theatre as an extended metaphor to explain how people perform a variety of social roles, like actors in a playRead MoreEssay about Race and Ethnicity in Social Sciences877 Words   |  4 PagesUse of the Terms Race and Ethnicity in the Social Sciences Defining identity can be complex and therefore we have to investigate the factors involved that make us who we are and how we are seen by others, collectively or individually. Social scientists have to consider the key elements which shape identity, the importance of social structures and agency involved. The differences and/or similarities between us are the focus that categorise and label us in society. Knowing who we are is importantRead MoreSociological Accounts on Individuals Acquiring Their Identities591 Words   |  3 PagesSociological Accounts on Individuals Acquiring Their Identities The concept of identity has been defined as A sense of self that develops as the child differentiates from parents and family and takes a place in society (Jary and Jary, 1991.) Through the process of socialization, individuals acquire their identities, but this issue cause different understandings according to sociological accounts. Here, I will show these accounts, and make an analysis understood by