The Sociology of Every Day Life

1006 Words5 Pages
Susie Scott describes everyday life to be rather ordinary, mundane, and somewhat conventional. It is full of monotonous procedures which are familiar and stable (Scott, S 2009, p. 2). In the novel, Making Sense of Everyday life, Scott looks into some key ideas and concepts, about the sociology of everyday life. This essay will describe how Scott recommends studying the everyday life, and will also present theories of how microsociology and macrosociology worlds integrate, how routines and habits are formed, and how rules and social norms control our society. It will also describe how Scott proposes how to study the everyday life. Microsociology and Macrosociology are two different approaches towards to the study of sociology. They are two different worlds which are very integrated with each other. Macrosociology has been the main focus of study until one around hundred years ago, where microsociology, and the study of everyday life, then started to become noticed (Jacobsen, MH 2009, p. 4.) Scott argues that without all the local citizens undertaking their individual everyday procedures, grander macro events would not be able to occur (Scott, S 2009, p. 1). This is displayed in the project, Mass Observation, began in the 1930’s, where its purpose was to examine “..the hidden significance of people’s routine lives.” (Moran, J 2007, p.2). Individuals volunteered to write in diaries, objectively, about their every day events. The project Mass Observation made a huge impact, thousands of volunteers participated and the book sold with ease (Moran, J 2007, pp.2-3). This is an example of how the study of microsociology can become macro, by individuals playing their part. Other examples of this are events such as Gay Pride, and the Feminism movement. It is imperative to use the method of microsociology to understand everyday life and how routines and habits are made.
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