Coming of Age Essay
Coming of Age Essay
Evaluate the social constructs that have brought about similarities and differences between you and your interviewees, drawing conclusions about the influence of power and authority, gender and technology, continuity and change.
There are a variety of social constructs that have brought about similarities and differences between the attitudes of society today and various societies and cultures in the 1970’s/1980’s. Through a series of interviews with people who ‘came of age’ in the 80’s, combined with secondary research, the aspects of continuity and change became apparent, particularly when discussing influences of power, authority, gender and technology.
Power is the ability to influence the actions or points of view of other people. There are aspects of power have remained unchanged for young people since the 1980’s. The influence of parents is a defining factor according to both interviewees. One of my interviewees talked about how the main reason she wanted to achieve high marks academically, was because her mother never got the opportunity for tertiary education. Parents also hold the power to influence the religious beliefs of their children. My first interviewee was raised with Christian beliefs and values, however her views changed as she got older. My other interviewee was also raised with strong Catholic beliefs, which she has continued to value to this day and has consequently raised her children with these beliefs. My parents definitely have the power to influence how I behave. I know what they expect of me and that there will be consequences if I disobey them. They have had a strong influence on my personal religious beliefs. Most youth in society today choose their religious affinities, regardless of parental influence. However, in most respects the power parents’ hold has continued over the past few decades.
Influences from celebrities and public figures are another aspect of power that has not changed. During the
Evaluate the social constructs that have brought about similarities and differences between you and your interviewees, drawing conclusions about the influence of power and authority, gender and technology, continuity and change.
There are a variety of social constructs that have brought about similarities and differences between the attitudes of society today and various societies and cultures in the 1970’s/1980’s. Through a series of interviews with people who ‘came of age’ in the 80’s, combined with secondary research, the aspects of continuity and change became apparent, particularly when discussing influences of power, authority, gender and technology.
Power is the ability to influence the actions or points of view of other people. There are aspects of power have remained unchanged for young people since the 1980’s. The influence of parents is a defining factor according to both interviewees. One of my interviewees talked about how the main reason she wanted to achieve high marks academically, was because her mother never got the opportunity for tertiary education. Parents also hold the power to influence the religious beliefs of their children. My first interviewee was raised with Christian beliefs and values, however her views changed as she got older. My other interviewee was also raised with strong Catholic beliefs, which she has continued to value to this day and has consequently raised her children with these beliefs. My parents definitely have the power to influence how I behave. I know what they expect of me and that there will be consequences if I disobey them. They have had a strong influence on my personal religious beliefs. Most youth in society today choose their religious affinities, regardless of parental influence. However, in most respects the power parents’ hold has continued over the past few decades.
Influences from celebrities and public figures are another aspect of power that has not changed. During the