Chapter 22: Optional Ethnicities: For Whites Only? In Mary C. Waters’ essay, “Optional Ethnicities: For Whites Only?” she discusses how sex, age, visible disabilities and skin color are important characteristics in life. We are all socialized in different categories, different classes and of course different ethnicities. People sometimes chose to identify with certain ethnicities as Waters explains because of benefits and or proud tradition. Waters’ essay mainly focuses on different examples as to why or why not people chose to identify with ethnicities.
The SIT does not place importance on what outsiders think of an individual and their placement within a group, rather the theory is wholly dependant on the individuals self assessment and ideas of themselves and where they belong. Social Identity Theory categorises social groups as dichotomous, either 'In' groups or 'Out' groups whereby the 'In' group have a more positive image and the 'out' group have a lower social status. Tajfel found that people have a basic need to satisfy their social identity which results in social groups pushing towards having the best image and the highest status by lowering the status of others. This contributes to the understanding of where a physically disabled person would be placed socially, groups maximise differences and try to highlight their own superiority through their positive attributes which, in the case of able bodied or disabled, is the full use of their bodies. An individual will base a social group on their body, this is what one will see or feel every day and can be measured against others or
According to Harris, they are referencing different components of humanity. In ideal U.S. culture, one would not understand these differences. It is important for ethnographers and world travelers to understand these differences in relation to other cultures because other cultures may have multiple words for the essence of a person (individual and self are considered in this essence). According to Grace
Ethnic Identities are socially constructed. This assertion is commonplace among social scientists. To understand this statement better it is important to explain what identity means. Identity means “a social category”. In our case, a category of people different from others by character, ideologies, views and so on for example Kenyans, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslim etc.
Although sometimes this means the quality of the academic programs are not as high as those of private schools are, this is not always the case, if you check with a realtor in the area where you live or are planning to move to, they can inform you of the standard of the schools in your area. Public schools vary widely in academics and extracurricular programs. Students are exposed to more people from differing social-economic backgrounds. This teaches children how to get along with one another regardless of differences, and can provide a more complete educational experience. In a public school, you will know what to expect in terms of curriculum and philosophy.
It’s a means to communicate values, beliefs and customs. It has an important social function and it promotes feelings of group identity and solidarity. It is how culture and its’ traditions and values may be transferred and preserved. Language is a complicated dance between internal and external analysis of our identity. Our external identity is genetically passed down from our parents and is basically what you see on the outside in terms of gender, hair and eye color and so on.
I believe the two most important influences on the development of self-concept and self-esteem are family and culture. Family has a great influence on how we see ourselves and what we choose to display about ourselves to others. They are the ones who set examples for us of what a good person is and how to act appropriately. They teach us what is most important in life and what is not so important. Therefore, if our family places a great deal of emphasis on education and its importance, we focus on getting good grades more than we focus on our athletic or artistic abilities, and may include intelligent as an attribute when describing ourselves to other people.
In relation to Piaget’s theory, the case strongly support the heteronomous period in a child. According to Lee et al, (1997) Chinese children are raised in a communist society and are thought respect group values, even if it means personal sacrifice. This is reflected by the results of the case study. The case study also seems to reflect or show Piaget’s autonomous stage. According to the case study both sets of children seem to give their answers according to what they have learnt to be moral through interaction but the Canadian children seem to agree to
If that is the case, here are a few pros and cons you should keep in mind. PROS * Experts believe that children who wear school uniforms do better academically. This is due to a myriad of reasons, including not wasting time in the morning getting ready, lack of distractions, and a more formal studying environment. * School uniforms may significantly reduce peer pressure. With students not having to worry about their looks, fitting in not longer becomes the main worry in kid's lives.
Uniforms help students in school academically and socially. It can be beneficial to parents as well; they do not have to spend as much money on school apparel. On the other hand, many people disagree with having school uniforms, saying that it doesn't give the student the right to express their individuality. However, I think uniforms build a sense of discipline and unity and are the appropriate attire to be worn in school. That is why I strongly believe uniforms should be enforced in every school whether public or private.