40. The text\'s discussion supports the conclusion that life-course stages a are
ID: 3455146 • Letter: 4
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40. The text's discussion supports the conclusion that life-course stages a are shaped by society and have nothing to do with biology. b. are much the same throughout the world c. are linked to biology, but they are mostly defined by society d. have changed little over recent centuries. Each of the following is worth 10 points. You are to choose to answer any 2 (two) for 10 points each. 1. Describe the three major theoretical approaches and apply each to the family. In each case, what does a family look like? What questions does each approach lead us to ask? 2. Explain how each of the major methods of sociological research is suitable for helping us to answer different types of questions and to study different situations. Provide an example of how each method might be used. 3. Define the five common components of all human culture. Give an example of each. 4. List 5 of the key values in U.S. culture. How are they related? Which is MOST important to you and WHY? What are the major agents of socialization in the United States? sometimes be in conflict? How? 5. Can these agents 6. Describe the importance of mass media in the socialization process. What concerns do people raise about the influence of television and the various types of social media? What evidence can you point out to assess these concerns? (You may use your own experience.)Explanation / Answer
40 Answer - Are link to biology, but they are most defined by the society.
Answer 3. Five components of all human culture are symbols, language, value and beliefs, norms and material culture and technology. Symbols are anything that carry shared meaning among the people in a particular culture. Language is a system of symbols that facilitates communication.Value and beliefs are culturally defined standards of morality and ethics (defines what is goodness, beauty, knowledge etc). Norms are rules that is regulated by the society for its member to act in a particular way and last but not the least, material culture and technology is set of flexible knowledge possessed by the members , to define a way of life in their sourrounding which is reflected in material reality or culture. I believe, all the culture share commonalities of these five components. For example, shaking hands is a common symbolic gestures around the world. Holding the other individual's hand and shaking it for few seconds symbolizes warm greeting and respect, all around the globe. Similarly, the word 'hello' is a common language component for greeting others.The word Hello is a polite and conventional way of initiating a conversation with others. This is a common set of symbol that facilitates communication throughout the world. The idea of morality differs from religion to religion and even in cultures, but certain key structure of values are same throughout the globe, For example, while travelling in a public transport, the act of standing up and offering your seat to an elder or a pregnant lady is considered an act of kindness by all the cultures. The values that define kindness shares a common characteristics among all the cultures, around the world. Last but not the least, material knowledge of passing the ancestral properties to the present generation within a family is a common custom that is practiced by all. The association of the ancestral land with knowledge, money and power is a shared knowledge , that defines the way of material life or reality. Therefore, even though the cultures around the world enjoys exquisite and inclusive set of values, symbols or language shared exclusively by its members; but certain characteristics of the culture is similar around the world , making it a universal component of all human culture.
Answer 4. Five key values of U.S culture are as follows.
1-Individualism. Americans have been nurtured in an environment that encourages one to seek one's own identity . The idea of being independent and self serviced is center to the core of American culture. The American culture has imbibed the notion that a self motivated and a free thinker is an ideal prototype of a human behaviour. For exapmle, when a child reaches the age of maturation ie 18, he/she is considered an adult who has reached 'age of independence ' .The close knit between the child and the parent is loosened , if not broken. The belief that identity and values and beliefs of an individual should be the result of one's own experience and understanding of life , rather than imposed by family or community is important. For example, unlike India where arrange marriages (family selecting life partner for their children) is a common ceremony, Americans believe in making decision about who and why they want to marry , if at all they intend to.
2- Equality- As stated in The Declaration Of Independence, ' all men are created equal' , is center to the core of American culture. Even if this idea of Equality is not implemented(sometimes) while interacting with other races (Mexican or Latin-American or African American), the idea that none is superior than the Other holds true when Americans are interacting within their own white American community. The factors like gender, education, wealth has little effect on the channels of communication used within the culture.
3- Assertive Behaviour- Unlike some Asian countries, Americans are not forced to mask their emotions. The idea of saying things as they are and acting as one must, is a prototype of psychological well being. The tone of the voice, the facial expression and body language, all are encouraged in the American culture to be used to express one's emotions rather than repressing or surprising it .
4- Goal Oriented - American culture place an important value on the planning, execution and succes of life challenges and goals. The culture encourages an active approach to indulge in material reality of life by being goal oriented . Achievements and pragmatism is considered a virtue and a healthy way of defining the material life , within the culture.
5- Progress, change and optimism- The idea that one is the creator of his own destiny forms an integral part of American culture. Change as a constant phenomenon is considered important for anyone to adapt and adjust to the sociological enviroment ( Darwinian Theory ).It induces the conditions that one is the creator and destroyer of his own life, rather than some external force.
Personally, for me the sense of Equality is the most important value of American culture. With the current prevailing chaos of inequality and racial discrimination being witnessed in the country, it is more important than ever to adhere and implement unity among the diverse cultures and race, residing on the Americal soil. The American Dream was founded on the tenants of optimism and hope for a better quality of life, for each. The on going political polarity that in as induced racism, is not what the American dream is all about. Hence,equality , for me is the most important American value.
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