Essay On Sociological Imagination
The sociological imagination is the relationship each individual has and their own circumstance relative to larger external forces. Charles Wright Mills of Columbia University developed this theoretical tool in order to understand and interpret social contexts.
Deciding what college to attend can be a daunting task for young adults trying to find their place in the world. It seems like the whole decision is up to the individual, which is what makes the decision so stressful and confusing. However, when looking at an individual background, a person can begin to see how one’s life and choices are often affected by much larger social forces. From family to a neighborhood and the norm of the society, one has almost unknowingly been forced into …show more content…
Although people should approach the world using sociological imagination, it does not always happen. The definition of the word “deserve” needs to come from a place that breaks free from the immediacy of personal circumstances. It is quite possible that two people from two different social classes could have different definitions of “deserve” because of their personal upbringings. The use of sociological imagination could widen their thoughts, possibly making their definitions more similar.
This example could also be found in the word “success.” Many people who decide to go to college often go to be successful because society tells those people that the only way to be successful is to earn a college degree. People such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are examples of people who have broken out of the sociological imagination that societies definition of “success” is not always true. But in normal cases within society, a degree serves as sort of a symbol of status or legitimacy according to society, and with a degree you have more opportunities after college for a better job and professional
Deciding what college to attend can be a daunting task for young adults trying to find their place in the world. It seems like the whole decision is up to the individual, which is what makes the decision so stressful and confusing. However, when looking at an individual background, a person can begin to see how one’s life and choices are often affected by much larger social forces. From family to a neighborhood and the norm of the society, one has almost unknowingly been forced into …show more content…
Although people should approach the world using sociological imagination, it does not always happen. The definition of the word “deserve” needs to come from a place that breaks free from the immediacy of personal circumstances. It is quite possible that two people from two different social classes could have different definitions of “deserve” because of their personal upbringings. The use of sociological imagination could widen their thoughts, possibly making their definitions more similar.
This example could also be found in the word “success.” Many people who decide to go to college often go to be successful because society tells those people that the only way to be successful is to earn a college degree. People such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are examples of people who have broken out of the sociological imagination that societies definition of “success” is not always true. But in normal cases within society, a degree serves as sort of a symbol of status or legitimacy according to society, and with a degree you have more opportunities after college for a better job and professional