The Codes of the Street

The information in this article did not surprise me. I was born and raised in the ghetto. So I know all about rap music, codes and behavior in the ghetto.  What did surprise me was in rap songs respect was referenced in 68 percent of the songs, violence in 65 percent, material wealth 58 percent, and violent retaliation 35 percent. I never noticed how often these particular things were refereced. I love rap music, even if it seems a little raw and violent. I don't think the music makes people violent, the streets are gonna be how they are regardless of the music people listen too. Me and my friends all grew up listening to rap and we are not acting like thugs on the street.

Gender in Social Life

Although I found Anderson's article about what is expected of male cheerleaders very interesting, I feel I can relate to milkie's article much more. Melissa Milkie interviewed black and white teenage girls to find out there thoughts about teen magazines. The majority of the girls like the article's in the magazines. Stories in the magazines were about peers, family and boyfriends. These articles made the girls feel like they were not alone with there problems. Many of the girls had a problem with the models in the magazines. They felt the girls were not realistic. They made them seem perfect and nobody is.(page 105) when I was a teenager I remember me and my friends always dieting and exercising. The media made us feel like we were not normal. Now having read this article I look back and we were sadly mistaken. I hope to teach my daughter that what is shown on television and magazines is not what a girl or women should look like. We are all beautiful and unique in our own way.

Three Sociological Perspectives

After reading the three sociological perspectives by Paul Colomy I had a better understanding of how sociologists research worked. There are three perspectives that are used the most in sociology. Two are called functionalism and conflict which are macro theories. The third one is symbolic interactionism which is a micro theory. In order for sociologists to conduct research they need to use one or more perspectives. These perspectives help sociologist explain how society influences people or how people influence society.

I was raised in an area that was filled with drug addicts and drug dealers. I could have easily been influenced like many of my friends to live in the same lifestyles that surrounded us. But for me that just influenced me to continue my education and do better for me and my family.

Class In America

Class in America Is meaningless according to some sociologists in the article. I agree because many expensive things such as education and cars are being paid for everyday regardless of your income. Don't get me wrong I know for the low income families it is not as easy and obviously not a problem at all for the rich. The lower income families have to work three times as hard to obtain the American dream. When you are born into a poor family it makes you want to work much harder so you can do better then your parents. I was born into a low income family and I am on my way to achieving my goal. While growing up I saw my mothers constant struggle with keeping up with bills and I made up my mind right then and there this is not gonna be my future.

I would like to hear what sociologists think America can do to make things better or easier for everyone to share equal oppurtunities. I also would like to know where they see america ten years from now.