Violating A Social Norm

Being deviant can either be positive or negative. One movie that relates to this concept I feel is Pay It Forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwHcS-XoYbc The main boy in the movie has an assignment in class to change something that he doesn't like. I feel this strongly relates to how we just got assigned to performing a positive norm. Something that isn't something we would normally do. In the movie, the main character decides to do extreme acts of kindness that would completely go against the norm. He is clearly demonstrating things that aren't seen around his neighborhood. For instance, he decides to let a homeless sleep in his home because the man has nowhere to go. The only different idea is that once he does something good for one person, that person must pay it forward- continuing the tradition that the young boy started. By being deviant, people may strike you as different ( like the man who had dinner with the man who attempted to attack him). But, I find it rewarding to violate something you normally wouldn't do. From now on, I will work harder to violate norms in a positive way like the boy did in the movie. Because it pays to pay it forward.

Growing Up

Recently we learned what society considers to be the appropriate age that you are independent. It's a scary thought to think that at the age I am right now, 18- there are so many rights I have. I believe that the age of 27 is truly the age where you become independent. That is because once you know how to have a handle on a real job, pay for a house, car, and children-- then your classified as independent. But, at the age I am right now I also feel that I can take on a lesser role of being independent. Because, next year I will be in college- where there will be less dependency for my parents. Yet, I still don't have the availability to completely support myself on my own. There are certain milestones in your life, that once you pass allows you the freedom to do more things. By turning 18 I have the right to vote, and legally buy cigarettes. Although those are minor right of passages in my lifetime, I look forward to seeing what other milestones come my way, and how I will become more independent as I grow up.

Dealing With The Media

At a young age, girls tend to turn to magazines to inspire them on how their look should be. But what is not realized is the overwhelming amount of celebrities and young women who are put into these magazines, yet they are completely airbrushed to look a certain way. Girls who are unhappy with their self-image learn from such magazines such as Seventeen and Cosmopolitan that they should be super skinny. But at our age right now, we already have learned that that is not what the ideal body should be like, and on order to have a healthy state of mind- all we have to do is eat healthy and exercise. What I believe to be the main concern for girls and their body image, is the encounter with people at school. I find that when you see girls walk through the halls, there is a factor of jealousy/judgement about what they look like. You'll hear about what someone wore to school, and judge it and base it according to if you like it. Instead of girls comparing themselves to images in a magazine, which is mainly done in your preteen years- girls at the high school age tend to focus more on who is surrounding them. There are so many types of body images at our school, but that is what makes each person unique.

Agents of Socialization

Our families have a great influential impact on us, whether we know it or not. My family has taught me the morals that I have accumulated over the years. I have become more of a respectful person because of them, and have continued to show positive characteristics throughout my life. Both my parents attended the Ohio State University, and when it was time for me to apply to college- my dad forced it upon me to also apply. Although my parents do have some powerful influence on me, I knew that OSU was not the college I would like to go to. Yet, I ended up applying there anyways just to make my dad happy. I have also decided to go on my own path with the career I potentially want to pursue. My mom is a preschool teacher, and my sister is following in her footsteps and becoming a kindergarten teacher. I think the reason why I want to become a social worker was probably shaped by my experiences around my friends. I tend to think of myself in my group of friends as the one who people go to in times of trouble. It is interesting to see that although my family has an influence on me, I decided to be independent and go on my own path for the future.

What Shapes My Life

After learning about Genie in psychology class, and then again in sociology- it really made my heart go out to the children/adults who have been neglected as harsh as Genie. The way you act is shaped by the experiences you encounter. Also, the people that are involved in your life shape the way you live and act. One experience that truly impacted my life was when my mom became very sick when I was in 6th grade. I didn't know much at the time, but she went off on Halloween telling me that it was just a check-up. Little did I know that she had complications and would need surgery. At 12 years old, my dad kept very little knowledge from me. My mom ended up in a coma and ended up being in the hospital for 6 weeks- missing Thanksgiving that year. Thankfully, luck was on her side and my mom made a full recovery. Ever since then, I have learned to never take things for granted. My mom is like my best friend, and every day I wonder what life would have been like without her. It is those kind of experiences that open your eyes to reality. I now live my life to the fullest, and never take anything/anyone for granted.

Forgiving Ourselves

After watching "Tuesdays With Morrie," I found a quote that stuck out to me- mainly because it is relateable towards my life. "We...need to forgive ourselves...For all the things we didn't do. All the things we should have done. You can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened." The true meaning of this passage is that you should forgive yourself because if you didn't do the things you didn't do then you wouldn't have done the things you did do. Simply, don't live your life with regrets. Don't live in a world of "what ifs." I always had wondered that if I didn't act out a certain way, then how could that situation have gone differently. But, there is a reason we acted that way, because it's what we felt. Although many of us play back in our heads what we should've done, I believe that everything happens for a reason. In the movie, Mitch regrets not seeing Morrie earlier, until the day he founds out he is getting very ill. Since he hadn't set out to do that until 16 years later, Mitch made a living for himself becoming a sports journalist. All I'm really saying is that, live your life by the moment... and if something passes you by, it was meant to be because everything happens for a reason.

American Values

After have looking at Robin Williams US Values List, one of them stuck out to me more than the others. "Individualism emphasizing personal rights and responsibilities." This definitely applies to my life, especially nearing the end of my high school career. Heading off to college allows for us to have this sense of freedom, after all there are no parents around to be nagging you to get to school, or to clean your room. My personal rights grow as I get older- including one that I recently have gained, the right to vote. The responsibility part comes in mainly because I will have to remember a lot more on my own since college will not include my mom always being right there. I respect that Williams has added this to his values list, because by being an individual, you discover more than you would have with others. Nothing can get in your way- which is why I am really looking forward to college. It will allow me to join a sorority, intramurals, and pick and choose the clubs I'd like to be a part of. Inidividualism lasts throughout your whole life. That's why it is great to learn how to be responsible on your own now, so you know how to live a healthy life in the near future.