"Social reality is not an inherent feature of the natural world but is instead a human creation, established in a process of ongoing social interaction" (Newman, p 108).
My first reaction to the reading was one of confusion. The personal story within the reading was about two parents trying to socialize their children androgynous. This means they wanted to bring up their two twins, one female, one male to have both male and female traits and behaviors. They wanted to break down the gender barriers that some parents create when raising their children. The author clearly points out that parents cannot "create" their children's identities, yet just two paragraphs down, he states that "We create, re-create, confirm, or change our social identities every time our actions, appearances, thoughts, perceptions, and values are taken as reflective of or in contrast to what others expect of us" (Newman, p 108) I understand that he is trying to say we create our own identities, but he is also stating that other people effect it, which includes our parents. I think that parents have a lot to do with a child's beliefs on gender, sexuality, race and other large issues within society today. Throughout the book Newman expresses his beliefs on how adolescents look more to their peers for acceptance then their parents. Isn't that in itself a stereotype? I know many children/young adults that would rather make their parents proud then be apart of the "crowd". I agree that peers are a major part in some children's lives growing up, and eve turn into family, but there are certain incidences where that is the total opposite, and some see friends come and go, but their parents were always there.
After I read chapter 4, I totally understood how hard it was for certain classes to succeed in the school system. The classes seemed to be broken down into races and beliefs, not just economic standing. I understood why some parents would want their children to go to segregated schools because they want them to have a rich heritage, or have a higher ability to succeed. Although I don't agree with that, I understand some people's strife's. One African American women put her reason she wanted segregated schools very clearly. "Integration? What was it good for? They were just setting up our babies to fail" ( quoted in Winter, 2004, p 27) (Newman, p 141).
It is extremely heartbreaking to read this, but I understand why this mother said that. In this chapter, the statistics alone back up what she is saying. It is sad to say it, but because minorities are so oppressed in this society, they are the least likely to go on to college after high school, or even finish high school.
One point of view that should have been included by the author was what he thought we could do to change all the stereotypical behavior in schools about gender. After reading about the studies that proved the majority of schools treated girls differently then boys, I thought Newman should have commented on what society could do to change this. It is important to get every one's feedback on social issues such as this.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I think a lot of kids look to their peers for social guidance and their parents are the ones who control it. The whole "But mom everybody else is doing it." To which the mother responds "If everyone was jumping off a cliff would you too?"
You talk about wanting to have the author put in his own views and opinions. While, obviously I don't have a definite answer as to why he didn't do it, I think he might be A) wanting to sell more books by presenting a less biased view and B) want us to think more independently. Of course this is just speculation. I can however offer you my feelings on the topic, I think that if people are not getting the best possible education and feel that by segregating on some lines would be beneficial, then that option should be available at no extra cost to families. I remember (vaguely) reading about a school in New York City that was designed for students who were Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender. A lot of the students had been harassed at their old schools, so this school obviously fostered a better sense of community.
Post a Comment