Sociology 1010
Ryan Hermansen
5/31/2015
Social Location Assignment
Social location is a fundamental basis in the field of Sociology. This term includes several qualitative factors that bring individuals and groups together in a given community. Some of these terms are economic class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion and education, just to name a few. Based on these factors, individuals are able to relate or find how they are different within their community and can affect a person’s ability to relate, the degree of success they might experience, and even their self perception with their immediate and peripheral surroundings. With that said, these factors can be very indicative of the happiness someone may experience.
While reflecting on my social locations I have experience up to this point, I find them to be very unique and well rounded compared to many adults my age. I am the oldest of three boys who grew up in a middle class half Hispanic, half Caucasian household near the state Capitol. While this area had many nicer areas near it, it typically appealed to economically disadvantaged individuals. Low government housing and run down historical areas were common. The elementary school I attended consisted primarily of Mexican and Hispanic students, with English used as a secondary language. Test scores along with other factors motivated my parents to transfer schools in the fourth grade, where I experienced a much different demographic. At my new school in the lower Avenues, I was in classrooms where Caucasian students were the norm, and academics were a much higher priority.
I was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which coincides with the dominant culture in the Salt Lake valley, along with the state. I believe this has allowed me to connect well with many of my peers, seeing as the religion itself has a particular culture attached to it. It can be easily said that I have felt in the majority in that regard and cannot speak to the other side that people often feel who are not a part of this religion. I am also heterosexual which also puts me in the vast majority of individuals not only in my place of worship but community as well.
At the age of 13 my family decided to make the move to Sandy, UT where we have been a part of a community much different than what we were used to. This was a higher middle class community with lots of families, adolescents my age, and an abundant amount of opportunity every which way. Families in this area had boats, cabins, and went on international vacations frequently. I often felt like an outsider and could not, or rather chose not, to relate with these individuals for some years because I know my family came from a different economic state. After some time I found myself, and saw my family, becoming more a part of this community due to their kindness and some economic fortune on our part.
Transitioning into my young adulthood, I have held onto the lessons and circumstances I grew up with at an early age. I believe they have helped ground my perspective of the world, and have allowed me to not get caught up in the ‘ideals’ that can be rampant in the suburbs. I do acknowledge that I have found many more opportunities in Sandy than I did in Salt Lake proper; I have been able to network with people in my ward and various associations that have given me my current place of employment and extracurricular involvements. I believe my opportunity for ‘success’ in my employment and even my education have had some assistance from my physical location of residence. But I do not consider myself to be the same, or my perception rather, because of the unique path I took early on to be where I am at currently.
Reflection
Sociology is a subject that I think most people have a relatively good grasp on. In part, because it is the world we all are learning to share and contribute to its diversity in many capacities. In some instances, there are areas that receive day to day broadcasting while other aspects remain unspoken and never addressed. This is what I think has been the most valuable attribute of this class. This entry level course served as an arena to have discussions and broaden understanding of subjects across the social spectrum. Often, we would like answers to life's hurdles that are uncomfortable to ask those who have experienced them, yet, we know for ourselves that our curiosity and desire to avoid painful circumstances drives us to want to know exactly what they are all about. This class offered interviews, reading material, and proposed assignments to challenge our preconceived opinions to help us come to new, refreshed conclusions. One of my favorite assignments we did had to deal with the idea, why the African American middle class and lower class are experiencing their highest numbers. While race may seem like the most obvious conclusion to come to, the documentary proposed lots of other possibilities. The one with the most support came at the hand of the U.S economy itself, the classes of our Capitalistic economy appear to be the culprit. While I think that it is difficult to put sole blame on any one idea, it is an area we can consider to see if it is really benefiting the masses and consider whether it allows individuals and families at the bottom the ability to reach the top. Assignments such as this were challenging but rewarding. These are real problems we face either directly or indirectly but need to be addressed none the less. Being informed and taking the energy to do so is a commitment we must all take to care over our neighbors and friends and can be the ground by which positive and constructive change can come about. I am a better participant in this social endeavor because of this class. I can be more mindful, considerate, and move forward with objectives to be more helpful as I look at the world around me. This is a prime example of why higher education and general ed can be constructive the the lives of impressionable young adults.
