This Week in Sociology

The focus of our sociology lessons this week, was to understand what the term Social Construction of Reality means. From all the examples given in class, I've determined that society has created the way you look at different situations or the way you experience something. One of the stranger examples I wouldn't of thought of was about saliva. Our teacher Sal, got a volunteer to salivate in a spoon. Then he held this spoon full of saliva or spit out and explained all the uses for saliva and how important to regular bodily functions. Personally, I didn't think much of it, while others were expressing how grossed out they felt. This is a very simple example of how society has influenced the way we think.

Getting to the point this Social Construction effects everyone differently. Back in the day... when I first moved to the United States from Russia. It was impolite to ask parents for things that were unnecessary, especially when your family just moved to a new place and don't have much money. So I was at the grocery store with my mom and I was 5 or 6 at the time, and the whole time I see kids asking their moms if they can get chips or soda. Back in Russia society had a sort of stigma of parents who couldn't control their kids. Me wanting these tasty snacks, I asked my mom for them, hoping for a positive outcome. This wasn't the case, and I was upset and started making a scene. My mom embarrassed as all hell, drags me out of the store and all the way home.

How is there any Sociology in that? Well back in Russia society had created this situation where kids tended to behave in public and wouldn't act out in order to not embarrass there parents. Having moved to a new country. My mom hadn't adjusted to American cultures of spending on desires instead of shear necessities. Also myself not having any reason to follow what society had previously created, because I was young and simply didn't know. So all in all, the fact that we were from a different background and had different experiences, lead to the me getting my butt whooped. 

P.s: Thought this might be appropriate if you read the entire story... :)