Part A
Had to review an article called "Pleasantville" and write about major social changes that were in the article.
Part B: Analyzing Change
Psychological Analysis
-Have to write two questions a psychologist would ask about womens rights
-Write a paragrapgh that analyzes social from perspectiv of cognitive dissonance theory
Sociological Analysis
-Write 2 questions that a sociologist about sex
-Write a paragraph that analyzes the social change (sex) according to sociolgical model
Anthropological Analysis
-Write two questions that an anthropologists would ask, regarding sex
-Write a paragraphy that analyzes the social change from the interaction theory of anthropology.
Part C: Have to write a concluding paragraph that identifies the major conditions and obstacles to the social changes identifed in Part A
Being Marked on
-Clearly identifies more than three elements of social change from the reading-Part A
-Suggests three or more logical and realistic conditions and three or more logical and realistic barriers to social change- Part C
Grammar, strong sentences, and structure. Ideas are clear and coherent
Part A
Our society has significantly been modified since the 1950's, due to a drastic change in terms of pop culture, morals, religion, relationships, education, openness regarding sexuality, and advanced technology. In the article "Pleasantville," the topic of sex is discussed, which can be exemplified by two events: One being when Mary Sue talks to her mother about masturbation and when the basketball player misses his shot after he had sex. When sparks from the emerging future begin to take over the blandness in the movie, Mary Sue becomes open with her mother, in regards to sexuality. "Pleasantville" is demonstrated for being "perfect," which explains why when the basketball player chose to have sex, he missed the shot. This event could be examined from two different perspectives: One being that he missed the shot, simply because in a perfect society, premarital sex doesn't occur. So by him missing the shot, it symbolizes he did something wrongful. Or it could simply because of change. By him having partaking in sexual intercourse, he was no longer apart of that perfect gimmick, which the 1950's tried to establish. Its evidence that he was moving towards the future, where individuals are able to realize that a "perfect" world doesn't exist.
Also the education system in the 1950's appears to be completely different from the education system that students are apart of today. In the article it states that the lessons in the geography class were limited, clearly because back then they didn't have the advanced technology we have presently. It states in the letter that the world literally ended at the city limits, but today individuals are provided with an education that teaches them about international issues and different nations histories. Internationally, technology allows individuals to understand our world as a whole, rather then just our own nation and culture.
The perceptions' ands stereotypes of genders have changed, since the 1950's, as well. Mary Sue's mother doesn't have time for herself, mainly because back then typically women in general were associated with being a "housewife." Women in today's society are treated equally, and are able to establish well-balanced lifestyles. Also in the articles the children start appearing in color, which implies that in the future individuals will be more educated and curious about certain aspects of life.
Part B
Psychological Analysis
1.Was the attitudes of individuals influenced by the media or politics, in regards to equal rights amongst women and men?
2.Even though individuals' attitudes towards women rights have substantially changed throughout the years. Has the change in Canada's social policy made it easier for women to live balanced lifestyles? Or has it made it more difficult?
Arguably, the image and perception of the female sex remains unjustly and biased. Rather then the traditional housewife, women are still forced to experienced discrimination, especially when it comes to the negative representations of women portrayed by the media. Even though the female gender has progressed, in terms of equality, women still remain inferior to the male gender. This may cause females to question their position in society as well as their contribution. The belief that women are inferior to men, may influence the career choices females choose, as well as their goals and ambitions. This can cause them to form attitudes that conflict with each other, due to them being confused and ambiguous about their role in society .
For stance, in society particular occupations are linked to the male gender, while other careers are associated with the female sex. These stereotypes can cause females to choose a career or job that is related to their sex, even if they would rather become an engineer or doctor. Also if a female is in a career filled with male co-workers, she may feel inferior, and question if she is as good at the job as her male colleagues. Even if a female wants to get into a "male" occupation, she may choose not to, if her family and friends disapprove. In society, women may feel a sense of dissonance, since they are forced by stereotypes and fallacious portrayals, to establish certain lifestyles. Living in a state of dissonance, can cause females in general, to live in a wrongful state of mind, where their attitudes conflict, which can result in them living an unsatisfied life.
Sociological Analysis
1)What caused the change of views regarding sex within our society?
2)How do attitudes towards premarital sex differ across different ethnic and religious groups?
Change: Perspectives on Sex
Direction: Positive: Individuals are able to open up, regarding their sexuality. Being able to have sex before marriage, can be seen as "freedom," whereas in the past individuals had to wait to marriage, even if it wasn't their choice.
Negative: Individuals are more likely to receive diseases if not protecting themselves, and if they have numerous sexual partners. Sex has also become mainstream, which is showcased in adult films, music covers, music videos, etc, which is considered immoral-sex has lost its significance and importance amongst society, which can be evident to why marriages are no longer successful.
Rate: Very fast-The influence can be blamed on the media, ones up bringing, peer pressure and education.
Source: Exogenous: Individuals may be influenced by other nations, predominately America (porn industry and pop culture), to engaged in sexual intercourse before marriage or with various sexual partners.
Endogenous: Peer-Pressure, lack of religious beliefs, and lack of education, within our society.
Controllability: Its hard to control, since individuals are already adjusted to the "fast pace" lifestyle. Within our society, values and morals no longer have significance, since pop culture the and media control the way individuals think. When society was controlled by religious beliefs, sex was sacred. Now that society is controlled by the media, sex is something that isn't as important, since it's showcased in movies, magazine covers, etc.
Anthropological Analysis
1.What aspects of Canadian culture in today's society, influenced the way individuals perceive sex? (Compared to the old Canadian culture, who had practiced a different perception of sex.)
2.How does Canadians perspectives on sexuality, compare to individuals from a religious based country, such as Iran? And a country such as Brazil, where sex is exploited?
Canada is a diverse country, in terms of nationalities, religion, sexuality, etc, which has a major influenced on how sex is perceived within our society. Religious believers and advocates believe sex is something sacred amongst a husband and his wife. Even though Canada consists of numerous religious groups, internationally individuals are becoming liberated, and are separating themselves from religious beliefs.
Due to Canada be primarily a multi-cultural country, individuals are influenced by each others customs. For instance, a older Muslim may view sex as something that should be saved for marriage, but a younger Muslim may not see sex as essential, due to them being raised in a modernized society. The European culture is open when it comes to sexuality, since exposing nudity and sex are considered the norm in majority of European countries. This implies that if an individual of European descent, moves to Canada, he or she may change individuals perspectives on sexuality- sexual intercourse, homosexuality, polygamy, etc.
Individuals who strongly practice "pop culture," would most likely perceive sex as something that shouldn't be taken so seriously, due to the media exploiting sex. Compared to an individual who comes from a religious based country that opposes promiscuous behavior. The Caribbean culture and Hip Hop culture also practices sexuality, especially when it comes to entertainment (dancing and music). This could influence individuals in Canada, predominately Black people who are raised in a Hip Hop/ Caribbean Community.
Part C
Arguably, society's standards of sexual content and sexual norms can be influenced by religious beliefs or social and environmental conditions. Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human behavior and culture, since its linked to reproduction, marriage, and love. Traditional religious beliefs, view sexual activity as being something that should be shared amongst a man and a woman in marriage. Today' societal religious beliefs are modernized, due to individuals residing in a equalized society. Conditions that could've led to this social change (sex), could be linked to women equality rights, new discoveries (in respect to science) and modernized religious ideas. Traditionally, females use to be inferior to the male gender. Back then, men would prefer a female who was a virgin and pure. Now that women have equal rights as men, they are no longer forced to feel obligated to save themselves (virginity) for marriage. Presently, we are in the era of science, agnostic views, modernization religious beliefs, etc. Individuals aren't practicing the traditional views on sexuality, since our society is now tolerant of issues (homosexuality, abortions, etc) that (old-fashioned) society once condemned. The obstacles that come along with this are: The increasing rate of abortions, sexually transmitted diseases and early adolescent pregnancy.
Throughout the years technology and education have advanced within our society. Conditions that could've led to advanced technology are new discoveries, new ideas, changes in natural environment and new leadership. Individuals are becoming more intellectual, and creative, which is resulting them inventing more machinery, tools, etc. Present leaders put more money into technology, in regards to wars, products, machinery, medical equipment, etc. whereas in the 1950's technology wasn't as popular, due to it not being as advanced as it is today. Obstacles that came along with advanced technoloy are: It's costly (money invested into technoloy/ science, can be put into world issue), technoloy can be blamed for world disasters (global warming, and pollution), technology is being used in the wrong way (nuclear weapons and guns) and lastly, technology is causing laziness amongst mankind (individuals are able to work from home, do school at home, pay bills over internet). This results in human beings not getting the nutrition and exercise they need, which can cause heart diseases, diabetes, etc.
Conditions that could of led to the social change, regarding the education system, can be new ideas, new discoveries, change in leadership, change in demographics, changes in the natural environment, and change in culture. Obstacles and barriers that came along with this are: Money issues-materials, teachers, post secondary education, etc. As well as individuals' traditional cultural values not being taught-education within our society is primarily based on European Culture, especially in social studies classes. This could also cause individuals to drop out, if they feel the school system is biased, and unequal-individuals from poverty can't afford to go to college/university.
Lastly, certain conditions that led to women receiving equal rights as men, where change in ideas (women became more involved in politics, and contributed to society by forming substantial ideas), change in culture (women became acknowledged for not only being desirable but as intelligent-Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, etc) , change in demographics (more women came to Canada from different nations) and change in leadership (female advocates and activists, fought for women rights). Some barriers to this social change are: One reason of marriages failing is that men feel inferior to their wife, due her having a better career or financially making more money than him. Even though women are considered "equal," their sexuality is exploited in music videos, movies, etc. Women still need to work harder than men, to be successful and to be taken seriously. Also, women are having less children, due to them focusing on their careers, rather than starting a family. Lastly, women from different cultures within our society, may neglect their values, and customs, due to them being influenced by societies modernization morals. This could anger families, due to women being given the right to marry whom ever-interracial couples (may be a sin or wrongful in certain religions).
