I think the title here of why study sociology in the first place is a little odd considering the video is about Mills' idea of the sociological imagination. However I do see the point that it is much easier as an individual to look at what we think has caused a situation than to look at it as a problem in society as a whole. I have a friend who went to prison for a few years and I saw an example of this. To him, it was his fault it was so hard to recover and find work when he got out for the crime he committed. But as a society, we create have created a situation in which many find no other alternative than to survive by crimes that land them right back in the system. I know where I work they won't even consider a person with a felony. Also I believe the sociological imagination leaves out a very important factor. Prayer and God. For many of us, our belief is that with faith and a little help from above many Social problems can be overcome. What some call an anomaly in social problems when someone beats the odds and overcomes, others of us call divine intervention. I suppose a Sociologists may argue though, that religion itself is a social factor in that if you follow the rules such as the ten commandments, by that learned trait your life is enriched.Camp012
If people would just accept that they can control a vast majority of their situation, the world could be a better place. Granted, a person cannot control everything, but the choice to commit a crime is just that, a crime. I appreciate the fact that he took full possession of his mistake and it is unfortunate that finding work will be difficult. However, what has happened is that the others that have gone to prison in the past have "ruined it" for everyone else. What I mean is that your friend would like that second chance (and may very well deserve it), but will not get it as easy because of all the others before him that were given that second chance and blew it. Now society has no room for them and they are pushed aside. I do like your views on faith being very important. I am a firm believer in that, as well. We all need a little help from above every now and then. Kane012
I'm sorry for your friend and not sure what crime he/she committed but think it wonderful they took ownership of their actions which led them down that path. Which to me means they have realized what they did to be wrong and have a fulfilling future ahead of them. Again with that point you brought up I think it should depend on the crime its horrible to repent and pay your dues to society and then be stuck. But we all know right from wrong and that should sway you from making certain choices that in the long run can determine who you become. compassof4012
This video did not capture my attention right away, but towards the end it sparked my interest as the narrator began to describe Mills' idea about how many of our personal problems are really the structural problems of our society. It appears that according to Mill's we all essential have the same problem though the roots of that problem appear different to us all. Sure, it would be nice to simply blame society for all of our faults, but I have to say that aren't the trials and issues we encounter each day just life happening. That's not to say I do not feel there are problems in society because there obviously are. Still, if Mills' intention with his thought was to motivate people to change there society that seems a little far fetched. To rework our entire structure, will without a doubt result in further issues that cause complications for the public. Isn't that what we see with legislation today? I do on the other hand agree with Mills on how social imagination can lead to diverse thinking and understanding. More people need to know what it is like to be in someone else's shoes. I think this is what bothers me most Mills line of thinking. He contradicts himself in saying that we all relatively have the same problem, yet stresses that we should understand the individual trials and troubles of others. farmgirl012
I agree with you. Our society has become so big and intertwined that nothing gets done anymore in the government. Sometimes I think that to actually be in other people's shoes only temporarily would send our society in the right direction. Maybe make any elected official live on the low income side of town for one month on minimum wage for a month before they take office. Or make high school graduated work a high school diploma only job for 6 months before there parents can pay for their ivy league education.Camp012
Society, as a whole, likes the idea of having someone else to blame for their situation. You see it on the news every day. The truth is, there are extenuating circumstances that do affect our lives sometimes, but, all in all, everyone is trying to do the same thing. Have a job to make money, to buy things. When things don't go the way we plan, it's someone else's fault. It has nothing to do with staying up and partying too late and not waking up on time the next morning to get to work on time. Then your boss fires you? "Well, it was only the third time that I was late". When I was growing up, I detasseled corn, plus I had a paper route. I would detassel corn in the morning and do my paper route in the afternoon. We did not have a lot of money growing up, so I did what I could to buy the things I wanted. I didn't blame anyone else for not having anything I wanted, but it made me appreciate things more. Nowadays, children have such an "entitlement" attitude, that it makes me sick. I have worked my tail off and I landed a great job, but it could have been easier if I had gone to school to begin with. This is part of the reason I am back at school, to teach my children that learning is important, but hard work is just as important. Make your own way and don't blame anyone else if you don't try. Kane 012
I see what you're saying and I respect you for showing your kids how important school and hard work are. They will respect you for giving them a better life as well. I believe we will always blame others for our problems one way or the other. Does this mean our pride has gone out of the door? I used to blame my dad for not being a father but it's made me a better person in the end. My kid(s) will always have me and I will never let them down. A good post and very influential. P.O012
We definitely play the blame game in society! I think your thought here is spot on. Much of society today has lost the work ethic needed to become accomplished in life. Instead, society has learned to rely on hand outs and people think they are entitled to everything whether they work for it or not. People need to realize that a little hard work can go a long ways for them. farmgirl012
I agree with you on the whole program that the state gives out to people that decides that they don't want to work. This is why our society is they way it is. There are a lot of lazy people and for the ones that work hard have to pay for the people who don't want to work. Horatio012
We definitely play the blame game in society! I think your thought here is spot on. Much of society today has lost the work ethic needed to become accomplished in life. Instead, society has learned to rely on hand outs and people think they are entitled to everything whether they work for it or not. People need to realize that a little hard work can go a long ways for them. farmgirl012
Society does blame everyone else but themselves and are always looking for a handout for nothing and this is because our government has let them get away with it for so long. And the people who work hard and try to make a living pays for the ones who are to lazy to get a job and work for a living. If people would take responsibility and stop sitting on their butts and get a job this would help with then unemployment and then that could have an effect on the state to not put so much money in to these programs that people take advantage of. I want my kids to know that when you work hard in life it will pay off. You will run into some rough times but never give up keep pushing and sooner or later everything will be just they way you want it to be and maybe even better. They don't put in the effort and fail they don't have anyone to blame but them selves. Horatio012
We always blame society for everything because that's who were are as humans. To put the blame on someone or something else is better because it gives us closure on things that we don't want to accept. As everyone knows the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. America in my eyes is based off of a want want want mentality. The need for things has gone out the window and the want has sky-rocketed. Easily being influenced is a thing of society and pushes off on to everyone. People need to stop blaming society for how their life is and make the change to have a better one. I didn't have a very good life (it was better than a lot of people I know) but I turned my life around and am hoping for better days. We blame society yet, we are the ones that created it. I find it weird that I never realized this until I listened to this video. P.O012
I agree with you that America has a want want want mentality. Society allowed it, for generations society has progressed and Americans began making more money, people were able to afford nonessential purchases. Parents wanted better for their children than they had themselves, this mentality continues. In the process, children started expecting these extras. This does not go for all people. In my opinion, we need to fix the mentality of expecting a better life to creating better lives for ourselves. I also agree that “we blame society, yet we are the ones that created it”. lilo0813
Isn't there enough finger pointing going on already? Perhaps, Mills theory has snowballed into the entitlement most of society feels. In some ways, we are all guilty. If someone does not hold down a job, go to school, or contribute to society, we provide them with cash assistance, medical assistance, housing, food, and the list goes on. And I see the purpose for those programs. But is it earned? Not always, but its expected. And if the benefit programs dont meet expectations, there will be people pointing a finger. Another comparison that hits home for me...my children play all kinds of sports. There is now meetings being held to determine if all participants deserve a "participation award" at the end of the season. Many feel that trophies should be earned and not expected. You get the awards for hard work and a little bit of natural skill. Perhaps a little more blue collar and a little less silver spoon. momtoM.L.M.012
Wright Mills approach on social imagination helps us to understand social issues, if we are wiling to look at those problems as a whole and not individually. Debra Marshall explained that some of our mistakes that we make as humans are very common among the the people living in the same socio-cultural system. For example people in college often have loans to be able to attend to college because they cannot afford to pay. As a result, they end up with thousands in debt but for some of them it is the only way to finish college. futbol012
I definitely like Mills point of view, it relates to issues even to this day. If more people thought this way I think that it would make the world not only a easier place to live but much better. I think that in this day and age there are too many people just expecting handouts, they don't want to work for it but feel as though they are deserving of it. Meanwhile there are people working two jobs just to get by. It really is sickening. Why is it okay for people to sit at home and do nothing while those hard at work pay for it? I understand some people need help and that is completely okay, my issue is when people take advantage of the system. I believe if things were monitored and standards of these systems were changed, heath care, housing and just general needs of living cost wouldn't be so bad. Education is such an expense on it's own there's no wonder why people are working at McDonalds and waiting tables. newmommy2be012
I agree with some of mills point of view on society playing parts or roles in our lives. But I also believe we all have choices. Different people can be given the same or greater obstacles in life but not all of them will fail or fall some will surpass others that experienced none. We can use them as excuses or take the tragedies and grow. The one example she gives that I do agree with if you are on way to work, a tire blows you lose your job and then can not pay for your car to get fixed. You cab take it even further saying how do you get another job without a car but some people will find other routes and succeed. Education has also been mentioned about being expensive and do you get a better job quality of life if you can not afford college. This is where I disagree. People always look at the single parent or the low income group but I believe they have better resources then others. My husband has a wonderful job with job security as a nurse anesthetist (master degree) and we are thankful but it came at a cost. He makes a nice salary but we can not enjoy it because we are paying off school loan debits and he makes to much to get help with them. But he had a choice to take on these debits to in return have a nice job which others have that same choice. No you may not get a free ride for school but you can get a loan and still go to school and get an education regardless of your circumstances. compassof4012
I can understand the mills points and how social imagination can and does play a role in the society as a whole. She talks about how people think of themselves and of their problems before even realizing how their affecting the society. She explains how that you should before saying anything think about others lives or "stepping in their shoes". I completely agree she is correct about how people are so focused on their selves and not realizing that when you only care of yourself you affect the society as a whole. That's when she says social imagination because to think alone is hurting but to think as a whole and putting minds together to makes things grow. The fact that people do, even I am guilty, but it's all leading up to how we can put together instead of being separate for ourselves. She gave a few examples on how people gave different sacrifices and put other things before more important matters that are greater to the social imagination and society. Molly012
I agree with other posters that people blame society for a lot; although, I do think the woman had a major point in the last seconds of the video "try to see things from someone else's perspective, it might just help you to understand their situation". There is a sociological problem, but people want to disconnect any blame. Society plays a large role in shaping someone but a person has free will. We are the product of the societal environment we are surrounded by yet we can make choices to better ourselves and not become victims to our circumstances. The woman reiterates several times that a majority of people in her classes are in the same circumstances financially, who are all trying their best yet they continue to struggle. If our history teaches us anything, it is that if the majority of people share a common basis for a problem, then it is a societal issue. lilo012
I agree with you that the woman had a major point about trying to see things from someone Else's perspective. Because it is true, as a person we get stuck in our social class and we fail to be able to see some of societies problem like how you always here the right say that poor people just need to stop being lazy and just pull them self up by their boot straps when a lot of those people dont have the means or the where with all to be able to take care of themselves. ces012
I agree with some of what mills says about society playing a role in shaping who we are as people but some of the examples that were given about people who were struggling and it being a possible structural problem. Like the one of the person who had a tire blow out and they did not have spare in their trunk so they couldn't make it to work and they lost their job she said if they were working hard and doing everything right then I don't see why they would have gotten fired. It sounds to me like that person had problems coming to work on time and the tire blow out was the last straw. While I agree that there are some societal problems I think that we need to have more personal accountability. They also brought up needing affordable college, which is true if you are going to go to a state college but most if not all community colleges are something that everyone can afford ces012
I think that society and people both are the cause of social problems and personal failings. Each person has a different situation in some way. We all do tend to think of our individual problems as different. This opens my mind to how so many situations and experiences are a domino effect. Society and social problems could be helped. What is going on in the structure to actually help? We do need more affordable or even free education in this country. That would be the first improvement to all societies.
I think the title here of why study sociology in the first place is a little odd considering the video is about Mills' idea of the sociological imagination. However I do see the point that it is much easier as an individual to look at what we think has caused a situation than to look at it as a problem in society as a whole. I have a friend who went to prison for a few years and I saw an example of this. To him, it was his fault it was so hard to recover and find work when he got out for the crime he committed. But as a society, we create have created a situation in which many find no other alternative than to survive by crimes that land them right back in the system. I know where I work they won't even consider a person with a felony. Also I believe the sociological imagination leaves out a very important factor. Prayer and God. For many of us, our belief is that with faith and a little help from above many Social problems can be overcome. What some call an anomaly in social problems when someone beats the odds and overcomes, others of us call divine intervention. I suppose a Sociologists may argue though, that religion itself is a social factor in that if you follow the rules such as the ten commandments, by that learned trait your life is enriched.Camp012
ReplyDeleteIf people would just accept that they can control a vast majority of their situation, the world could be a better place. Granted, a person cannot control everything, but the choice to commit a crime is just that, a crime. I appreciate the fact that he took full possession of his mistake and it is unfortunate that finding work will be difficult. However, what has happened is that the others that have gone to prison in the past have "ruined it" for everyone else. What I mean is that your friend would like that second chance (and may very well deserve it), but will not get it as easy because of all the others before him that were given that second chance and blew it. Now society has no room for them and they are pushed aside.
DeleteI do like your views on faith being very important. I am a firm believer in that, as well. We all need a little help from above every now and then. Kane012
I'm sorry for your friend and not sure what crime he/she committed but think it wonderful they took ownership of their actions which led them down that path. Which to me means they have realized what they did to be wrong and have a fulfilling future ahead of them. Again with that point you brought up I think it should depend on the crime its horrible to repent and pay your dues to society and then be stuck. But we all know right from wrong and that should sway you from making certain choices that in the long run can determine who you become. compassof4012
DeleteThis video did not capture my attention right away, but towards the end it sparked my interest as the narrator began to describe Mills' idea about how many of our personal problems are really the structural problems of our society. It appears that according to Mill's we all essential have the same problem though the roots of that problem appear different to us all. Sure, it would be nice to simply blame society for all of our faults, but I have to say that aren't the trials and issues we encounter each day just life happening. That's not to say I do not feel there are problems in society because there obviously are. Still, if Mills' intention with his thought was to motivate people to change there society that seems a little far fetched. To rework our entire structure, will without a doubt result in further issues that cause complications for the public. Isn't that what we see with legislation today? I do on the other hand agree with Mills on how social imagination can lead to diverse thinking and understanding. More people need to know what it is like to be in someone else's shoes. I think this is what bothers me most Mills line of thinking. He contradicts himself in saying that we all relatively have the same problem, yet stresses that we should understand the individual trials and troubles of others. farmgirl012
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Our society has become so big and intertwined that nothing gets done anymore in the government. Sometimes I think that to actually be in other people's shoes only temporarily would send our society in the right direction. Maybe make any elected official live on the low income side of town for one month on minimum wage for a month before they take office. Or make high school graduated work a high school diploma only job for 6 months before there parents can pay for their ivy league education.Camp012
DeleteSociety, as a whole, likes the idea of having someone else to blame for their situation. You see it on the news every day. The truth is, there are extenuating circumstances that do affect our lives sometimes, but, all in all, everyone is trying to do the same thing. Have a job to make money, to buy things. When things don't go the way we plan, it's someone else's fault. It has nothing to do with staying up and partying too late and not waking up on time the next morning to get to work on time. Then your boss fires you? "Well, it was only the third time that I was late". When I was growing up, I detasseled corn, plus I had a paper route. I would detassel corn in the morning and do my paper route in the afternoon. We did not have a lot of money growing up, so I did what I could to buy the things I wanted. I didn't blame anyone else for not having anything I wanted, but it made me appreciate things more. Nowadays, children have such an "entitlement" attitude, that it makes me sick. I have worked my tail off and I landed a great job, but it could have been easier if I had gone to school to begin with. This is part of the reason I am back at school, to teach my children that learning is important, but hard work is just as important. Make your own way and don't blame anyone else if you don't try. Kane 012
ReplyDeleteI see what you're saying and I respect you for showing your kids how important school and hard work are. They will respect you for giving them a better life as well. I believe we will always blame others for our problems one way or the other. Does this mean our pride has gone out of the door? I used to blame my dad for not being a father but it's made me a better person in the end. My kid(s) will always have me and I will never let them down. A good post and very influential. P.O012
DeleteWe definitely play the blame game in society! I think your thought here is spot on. Much of society today has lost the work ethic needed to become accomplished in life. Instead, society has learned to rely on hand outs and people think they are entitled to everything whether they work for it or not. People need to realize that a little hard work can go a long ways for them. farmgirl012
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the whole program that the state gives out to people that decides that they don't want to work. This is why our society is they way it is. There are a lot of lazy people and for the ones that work hard have to pay for the people who don't want to work. Horatio012
DeleteWe definitely play the blame game in society! I think your thought here is spot on. Much of society today has lost the work ethic needed to become accomplished in life. Instead, society has learned to rely on hand outs and people think they are entitled to everything whether they work for it or not. People need to realize that a little hard work can go a long ways for them. farmgirl012
ReplyDeleteSociety does blame everyone else but themselves and are always looking for a handout for nothing and this is because our government has let them get away with it for so long. And the people who work hard and try to make a living pays for the ones who are to lazy to get a job and work for a living. If people would take responsibility and stop sitting on their butts and get a job this would help with then unemployment and then that could have an effect on the state to not put so much money in to these programs that people take advantage of. I want my kids to know that when you work hard in life it will pay off. You will run into some rough times but never give up keep pushing and sooner or later everything will be just they way you want it to be and maybe even better. They don't put in the effort and fail they don't have anyone to blame but them selves. Horatio012
ReplyDeleteWe always blame society for everything because that's who were are as humans. To put the blame on someone or something else is better because it gives us closure on things that we don't want to accept. As everyone knows the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. America in my eyes is based off of a want want want mentality. The need for things has gone out the window and the want has sky-rocketed. Easily being influenced is a thing of society and pushes off on to everyone. People need to stop blaming society for how their life is and make the change to have a better one. I didn't have a very good life (it was better than a lot of people I know) but I turned my life around and am hoping for better days. We blame society yet, we are the ones that created it. I find it weird that I never realized this until I listened to this video. P.O012
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that America has a want want want mentality. Society allowed it, for generations society has progressed and Americans began making more money, people were able to afford nonessential purchases. Parents wanted better for their children than they had themselves, this mentality continues. In the process, children started expecting these extras. This does not go for all people. In my opinion, we need to fix the mentality of expecting a better life to creating better lives for ourselves. I also agree that “we blame society, yet we are the ones that created it”. lilo0813
DeleteIsn't there enough finger pointing going on already? Perhaps, Mills theory has snowballed into the entitlement most of society feels. In some ways, we are all guilty. If someone does not hold down a job, go to school, or contribute to society, we provide them with cash assistance, medical assistance, housing, food, and the list goes on. And I see the purpose for those programs. But is it earned? Not always, but its expected. And if the benefit programs dont meet expectations, there will be people pointing a finger. Another comparison that hits home for me...my children play all kinds of sports. There is now meetings being held to determine if all participants deserve a "participation award" at the end of the season. Many feel that trophies should be earned and not expected. You get the awards for hard work and a little bit of natural skill. Perhaps a little more blue collar and a little less silver spoon. momtoM.L.M.012
ReplyDeleteWright Mills approach on social imagination helps us to understand social issues, if we are wiling to look at those problems as a whole and not individually. Debra Marshall explained that some of our mistakes that we make as humans are very common among the the people living in the same socio-cultural system. For example people in college often have loans to be able to attend to college because they cannot afford to pay. As a result, they end up with thousands in debt but for some of them it is the only way to finish college. futbol012
ReplyDeleteI definitely like Mills point of view, it relates to issues even to this day. If more people thought this way I think that it would make the world not only a easier place to live but much better. I think that in this day and age there are too many people just expecting handouts, they don't want to work for it but feel as though they are deserving of it. Meanwhile there are people working two jobs just to get by. It really is sickening. Why is it okay for people to sit at home and do nothing while those hard at work pay for it? I understand some people need help and that is completely okay, my issue is when people take advantage of the system. I believe if things were monitored and standards of these systems were changed, heath care, housing and just general needs of living cost wouldn't be so bad. Education is such an expense on it's own there's no wonder why people are working at McDonalds and waiting tables. newmommy2be012
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of mills point of view on society playing parts or roles in our lives. But I also believe we all have choices. Different people can be given the same or greater obstacles in life but not all of them will fail or fall some will surpass others that experienced none. We can use them as excuses or take the tragedies and grow. The one example she gives that I do agree with if you are on way to work, a tire blows you lose your job and then can not pay for your car to get fixed. You cab take it even further saying how do you get another job without a car but some people will find other routes and succeed. Education has also been mentioned about being expensive and do you get a better job quality of life if you can not afford college. This is where I disagree. People always look at the single parent or the low income group but I believe they have better resources then others. My husband has a wonderful job with job security as a nurse anesthetist (master degree) and we are thankful but it came at a cost. He makes a nice salary but we can not enjoy it because we are paying off school loan debits and he makes to much to get help with them. But he had a choice to take on these debits to in return have a nice job which others have that same choice. No you may not get a free ride for school but you can get a loan and still go to school and get an education regardless of your circumstances. compassof4012
ReplyDeleteI can understand the mills points and how social imagination can and does play a role in the society as a whole. She talks about how people think of themselves and of their problems before even realizing how their affecting the society. She explains how that you should before saying anything think about others lives or "stepping in their shoes". I completely agree she is correct about how people are so focused on their selves and not realizing that when you only care of yourself you affect the society as a whole. That's when she says social imagination because to think alone is hurting but to think as a whole and putting minds together to makes things grow. The fact that people do, even I am guilty, but it's all leading up to how we can put together instead of being separate for ourselves. She gave a few examples on how people gave different sacrifices and put other things before more important matters that are greater to the social imagination and society. Molly012
ReplyDeleteI agree with other posters that people blame society for a lot; although, I do think the woman had a major point in the last seconds of the video "try to see things from someone else's perspective, it might just help you to understand their situation". There is a sociological problem, but people want to disconnect any blame. Society plays a large role in shaping someone but a person has free will. We are the product of the societal environment we are surrounded by yet we can make choices to better ourselves and not become victims to our circumstances. The woman reiterates several times that a majority of people in her classes are in the same circumstances financially, who are all trying their best yet they continue to struggle. If our history teaches us anything, it is that if the majority of people share a common basis for a problem, then it is a societal issue. lilo012
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the woman had a major point about trying to see things from someone Else's perspective. Because it is true, as a person we get stuck in our social class and we fail to be able to see some of societies problem like how you always here the right say that poor people just need to stop being lazy and just pull them self up by their boot straps when a lot of those people dont have the means or the where with all to be able to take care of themselves. ces012
DeleteI agree with some of what mills says about society playing a role in shaping who we are as people but some of the examples that were given about people who were struggling and it being a possible structural problem. Like the one of the person who had a tire blow out and they did not have spare in their trunk so they couldn't make it to work and they lost their job she said if they were working hard and doing everything right then I don't see why they would have gotten fired. It sounds to me like that person had problems coming to work on time and the tire blow out was the last straw. While I agree that there are some societal problems I think that we need to have more personal accountability. They also brought up needing affordable college, which is true if you are going to go to a state college but most if not all community colleges are something that everyone can afford ces012
ReplyDeleteI think that society and people both are the cause of social problems and personal failings. Each person has a different situation in some way. We all do tend to think of our individual problems as different. This opens my mind to how so many situations and experiences are a domino effect. Society and social problems could be helped. What is going on in the structure to actually help? We do need more affordable or even free education in this country. That would be the first improvement to all societies.
ReplyDelete