As humans, we are wired in a way that the interaction with one another is inevitable since it is naturally placed within as. Sociologists define socialization as a way of learning and teaching defined aspects, values and norms primarily to impact integration amongst one another. Moreover, within the process of socialization, individuals are also in a position to develop and formulate particular ideologies and norms that are the basis of habits, values, cultures, and beliefs. Besides interactions with other persons, socialization catalyzes the nature and characteristics of an individual who as a result are significant in their existence in a community. For instance, the human conscience and impulse control are substantial factors catalyzed by socialization. On the other hand, the roles taken up by persons in the community and their immediate surroundings like families are prepared and ignited by the involvement in socialization hence the determination of one’s performance in the duties assigned. Finally, the difference in perspective is cultivated by different understanding on the acquired knowledge which is also internalized differently influencing the development of outstanding ideologies from various individuals that they can stand for no matter what.
Sociological Perspective
The habits, values, and belief developed from socialization are directly affecting the choices and ways of life of individuals. As a result, some of these norms and habits have contributed to the consequences, and adverse effects on the society causing havoc hence referred to as social problems. While social issues affect a vast number of the population within a community, the major one affecting me personally is security and the well-being regarding the safety of people worldwide. Considering that the essential sociological perspectives are the symbolic interactionism, functionalism and conflict theory, the one that best explains security as a social problem is the functionalism theory.
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According to Steven E. Barkan (2018), the functionalism of activities like crime, war, terrorism and political instability among others that pose insecurity in a given community can maximize on the social solidarity, unity, and collaboration between concerned parties to overcome the vices and enemy in question. Albeit these vices are detrimental, their impact on the actions taken by the society is helpful in the protection, safety, and well-being of persons involved. Moreover, it is through such vices that the economy is built in various ways like the creation of job opportunities in specific industries. For instance, the existence of law enforcers is annoying and useless without crime which is the core aspect of developing and implementing legislation.
Correctional facilities, courts, and the home security among others are also evidence that crime activities that promote insecurities are vital and functional in the social aspect. The impact of conflict resolution amongst communities that have faced skirmishes causing uncertainty within their surroundings would also be unfruitful. Furthermore, as socialization aspect that promotes learning and internalization of norms, conflict resolution impacts the understanding of the situation at hand and possible solutions that can be used to settle and maintain security as intended. Functionalism concentrates more on the importance of the social problem towards the society as compared to the harm it does. The critical aftermath of socialization is the bonding of people in the community identified, hence as functionality in the social problem, need for security and the well-being for people boosts their coming together that will facilitate implementation of safety measures primarily to guard, control and sustain peace. The developments of vices that promote insecurity have also catalyzed the need for policies that will help govern, control and hinder the rise of the activities mentioned. Therefore, the functionalism of vulnerability as a social problem influences interactivity as a social aspect hence defining ways in which people can relate, behave and collaborate.
Cultural Element Contributing to the Cause, Effects, and Solutions of Insecurity
The security of a given community relies solely on the practices of its people alongside the mischiefs that are considered unacceptable. On the other hand, safety as a concern in the society is affected by various factors contributing to the social problem of insecurity. For instance, some fundamental elements of cultures like the lifestyle of people within the community in question may affect security due to the attraction of what they possess promoting vices like theft and robbery amongst others. For the community members, if the standards of living within that particular region are high, one may be pushed to get involved in activities that will help them acquire wealth purposely to fit into their surroundings. On the other hand, outsiders may be attracted to the lifestyle of the community in question and as a result, may also find ways in which they can compare hence a creation of completion that may result to conflict affecting the securities amongst communities.
The economic culture profoundly influences the social problem of a particular environment. For instance, if specific people are relying on hunting for a living, the dominant culture would include innovation of weapons that are more suitable for hunting. While their involvement in the shooting would not be menacing to the security of fellow humans, other individuals who are not hunters may access the weapons produced and used causing uncertainties as to whether the possession of the weapons are in safe hands or may be used for havoc. The tendency of antisocialism amongst community members whereby each person minds their own business can be a significant cause of insecurity. It is in gated communities that such habits are familiar to an extent individuals do not know who their neighbors are. Contrary to the bliss of privacy and individualism, such practices may deter the need to save a life in case of an incident only because of the perspectives and believes the people have. For example, an outsider who understands that the neighbors are used to minding their own business may find it easy to break into the desired home and acquire whatever it is that pleases them and leave without anyone’s intervention. It is also easy for a robber to threaten the owners of the houses with a weapon deterring them from screaming or doing suspicious acts that may alert people to the surroundings (Ahearne, 2017). Such cultures promote personal interest and focus on self than the surroundings creating a loophole in security measures required.
The culture of frequent social gatherings, solidarity, and friendship amongst community members promote safety, security and the well-being of the people involved. Besides the joy and satisfaction got from such practices, it is also inevitable for such people to stay concerned about the other leading to constant contact and communication. On the other hand, such exercises help in engaging in talks that will enlighten one another on various topics including security and precautions that one can apply in case of particular incidence. It is evidence that friendship promotes not only the safety of persons but their well-being all-around be it physically, psychologically and socially. Connection with other people initiates the ability to express oneself most of the times making it possible for others to understand an individual. Moreover, the person is also in a position to live free from anxiety and internal issues that contribute to chronic conditions like the heart attack and mental distress. With such practices, individuals are at liberty to experience health security and physical safety due to the lack of socially affected persons who end up committing vices that expose others to insecurity.
Social Inequality
Inequality is a common observation in the society and for some reasons has become inevitable due to circumstances that affect human beings in their daily being. As an African American brought up in a stereotypical black family, the social inequality from my community in Chicago has been long lasting since the times of segregation. The disparity from the wealthiest to the poorest is immense and resulting to an imbalance in the economic state and social aspect. According to Tami Luhby (2016), Chicago is the most segregated city in the United States and has affected the livelihood of its residents especially the African Americans. It is the stereotypic nature of fellow African Americans alongside the economic imbalance in Chicago that promotes the rise of blacks who are educated and can have a respected occupation (Ilo, 2015) . For instance, I am a father of three who is loyal to my wife and a patriotic citizen who plays a significant role in the security of our land through the construction of Torpedoes for the US Navy.
While the blacks are confirmed to be the highest in number in the population of Chicago city, the economy is impacted by the minority whites who are the wealthiest. Insecurity does not favor a black resident. Hence as an African American man living in Chicago, it is easier to be gunned down due to the stereotype that blacks are hooligans and have a tendency to get into trouble. Despite the uprise of African American who is acquiring a good education and well-paying and sustaining occupations, the ethical aspect of being a black man in Chicago is unfavorable (Grasbinsky & Reeves, 2015). Seconded by Dennis Rodkin (2017), despite the wealth acquisition of most blacks in Chicago, segregation is still the norm. As a contributor to the US Navy, the economic status of my family is favorable and sustainable (Lianos, 2016). Unfortunately for most blacks who have made it within our community racial discrimination is a daily dose that must be taken it despite its bitterness. It is not the economic status of individuals that separate them from others but the skin color.
The negative consequences related to the access to education and professional opportunities include the stereotypic black families. Most of them had the belief that some careers were not suitable for black individuals hence advanced education was not relevant. Moreover, the allocation of quality education was a problem considering it was harder as an African American to be accepted in recognized schools. The positive of such practices of racism impacted the thirst to prove society wrong. It ignited a ‘rebellious’ spirit amongst blacks who believed that they possessed excellent abilities that would help them live a better life in the future. Moreover, the quench to make a difference in the community concerning the disparity and economic imbalance was reason enough for some of the African American young ones to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.
Social Institutions
Politics and the Economy
The United States of America has for a long time has been considered most powerful nation in the whole world most especially due to the innovations and involvement in the growth of the economy. My participation in the building of Torpedoes for the Navy is not only political but has promoted the economy of the county far much better than the rest of the world. The need to keep the US waters safe from pirates and terrorists has profoundly contributed to the creation of devices that will help control vices by the Navy. Also, interested individuals like me have landed and accessed job opportunities through the construction of war weapons.
Marriage and Family
There is a stereotype that blacks are unlikely to stay married in a happy home and raise children. Also, the rate of divorce, pregnancy out of wedlock and the tendency of men denying their responsibilities for carrying for their children are very high. On the contrary, my ability to stay loyal to my one wife and raise three children happily is a proof that it is possible for a black man to bring up a family.
Conclusion
Socialization is an incredible part of humans that promote learning and acquisition of knowledge which is an essential factor in interaction. As for the case of social problems, most of them are human initiated and therefore are unavoidable, hence require human intervention to solve the issues that arise. Insecurity is affected by various factors mostly vices like crime, terrorism, violence and political indifferences among others. The cultures of multiple communities jeopardize the security of a surrounding and could also be the remedy of insecurity depending on the perspective, values, and practices of the people involved. Social inequality in most communities is based on the differences of some critical factors that are considered more important than others. Like in the case of Chicago, racism has been the number one reasons for disparities amongst the people living there. African Americans have to endure the discrimination due to their skin tone. On the other hand, the gender does not favor the men, and therefore it is more challenging to live in the community as a male.
References
Ahearne, J. (2017). Cultural insecurity and its discursive crystallization in contemporary France: Modern & Contemporary France , 25 (3), 265-280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09639489.2017.1285276
Barkan, S. E. (2013). Social Problems: Continuity and Change, v. 1.0. Washington D.C: Flat World Knowledge, Inc.
Grasbinsky, J., & Reeves, R. (2015, December 21). The most American city: Chicago, race, and inequality . Retrieved March 9, 2018, from Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/social-mobility-memos/2015/12/21/the-most-american-city-chicago-race-and-inequality/
Ilo, S. C. (2015, June 10). Being a Black Male in America: Racism and the Police . Retrieved March 9, 2018, from Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-chu-ilo/being-a-black-male-in-ame_b_7035468.html
Lianos, M. (2016). Dangerous Others, Insecure Societies: Fear and Social Division. Routledge.
Luhby, T. (2016, January 5). Chicago: America's most segregated city . Retrieved March 9, 2018, from CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/05/news/economy/chicago-segregated/index.html
Oliver, W. (2000). The public health and social consequences of black male violence. Journal Of African American Men , 5 (2), 71-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12111-000-1008-5
Rodkin, D. (2017, May 18). Wealthy blacks just as likely to be segregated as poor here . Retrieved March 9, 2018, from Chicago Business: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20170518/CRED0701/170519856/blacks-in-cook-county-segregated-regardless-of-income
