12. November 2009 by student.

I was recently talking to my grandfather for the Sociology assignment that’s due next week, and he said something that really caught my attention. He said that when computers first started coming into the picture, it was like every year that a new one came out, and the old ones became obsolete and out-of-date. If you think how far we have come in just 50 years, it’s absolutely astonishing. Thinking 50 years back, we didn’t have computers, or cell phones, or ipods, or video games. They used radios and record players and shared phone lines and no computers at all.

As we continue into the future and our technology continues to grow, where do we go from here? Think 50 years from today and what do you have? It’s almost unconceivable. Now with our touch screen ipods and phones and laptops that can either be tiny little things, or huge, blow you away moniters, what comes next? How will society change with these advances? How will we adapt to it?

Down the road, will we still look at society the same? If we think back to how we used to perceive society, compared to how we study it today, it has made changes. Sociologists have come up with new ideas and perspectives to break down society to understand it a little better. Now in time, we look at the sociological perspective that show us that society functions because of the social strata. Structural Functionalism says that we need people in poverty because it stablizes the rest of society. The upper class makes money from creating jobs for the lower classes and the lower classes do the work that the upper classes won’t necessarily do.

But what happens if one day society changes, like technology, and the poor find a way to work their way up the ladder? It’s true that we will always have social classes and some people will be on the bottom of the chain and others on the top. However, in time, I think that the lower class will have a new definition and it will require us to look at society in a new light, with new ideas. The point is, like technology, society changes and this means that in the future, we will have unconceivable technologies as well as ideas and ways of defining a society.

Lauren Downs

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | No Comments »

12. November 2009 by student.

Americans are starting to become more and more cautious about their health. They’re more concerned about what they’re eating than ever before. Organic foods are a new popular trend in our society. Some are becoming “organic eaters” because they fear the use of pesticides, and some are worried about the treatment of animals. So, here’s the question; should you go organic?

The word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and take care of their products such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farmers do not use pesticides on their crops, but use natural forms to keep bugs away such as traps or mating disruption. They also do not use chemical fertilizers, but instead use natural ones such as manure or compost. Organic farmers also do not feed their animals’ growth hormones or medication, but give them organic feed and access to the outdoors. Organic farming is also environmentally friendly. It is supposed to reduce pollution and conserve water and soil.

However, there are some disadvantages to “going organic”. Although it may sound healthier, there has been no proof that there are actual health benefits to eating organic food instead of tradition food. Although there are pesticides on our fruits and vegetables, the USDA says that it is such a small amount that it should not cause many serious long term effects. Eating organic is also much more expensive than non organic foods. This is largely because the organic farming practices require more physical labor. For example, the vegetables may be hand picked, and you have to pay for that extra labor. Organic fruits and vegetables may also spoil faster because they aren’t treated with any waxes or preservatives, which might be a disadvantage.

The sale of organic foods is anticipated to increase by about 18% every year. Society is feeling more pressure than ever to start eating organic food for many different reasons. Every one wants to feel like they’re helping the world in some way, and eating organic is a great way to get that satisfaction. The rise of organic sales can also provide more jobs, since organic farming techniques require more physical labor. It can also help fight against animal cruelty and land abuse. Eating organic is more of a lifestyle decision, one that won’t harm you and may actually help you. So, will you decide to go organic?

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255/NSECTIONGROUP=2

http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/business.html

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

12. November 2009 by student.

       Its been almost 90 years since women in America gained their rights, and there are more women in the workforce now than ever before, but why is it women still only make seventy-seven cents to every man’s dollar? Personally, being a woman, I think its a big problem and needs to change. According to statistics, women make up 51% of employees in high-paying management jobs, which goes to show they are capable of the same work as men, yet still get paid less. Women are under so much pressure these days to be able to maintain a household and family and still be able hold a part or full time job especially with the economy today. With the rapid increase of men loosing their jobs, women are forced to go out and join the workforce to provide for their families all while making less than her male counterpart. It’s extreamly unfair for women who are qualified for the job to make less becuase of the fact that they are women. Among workers with bachelor’s degrees, men had median weekly earnings of $1,209 while women only had an earning of $882 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). That just goes to show that women paying the same amount of money for the same education earn significantly less than men of equal status. Even in some college Business courses, students are taught that women are a liablity when it comes to hiring employees, although they can do an equal if not better job than men can.

     So what can women do to change this neverending gap? Negotiate. When men first get hired for a job the first thing they ask about is salary, when women on the other hand are just excited they got hired and concened about staying on the bosses good side. Women need to have a set number in their heads going in and stick to it. If women become more aggressive about money issues, theres no doubt it can change. I think the wage gap is a serious problem in our society especially since men and women are supposedly “equal”. I dont think gender should determine how much you make and I know when I graduate I want to make just the same (if not more) money than my male co-workers.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »