“A Ratty Western World”
When searching for “rats” on the internet; pests control services, campaigns of eradicating rodents, media reports on rat infestation and diseases, outnumbers the various other search results. This widespread negative image of the rat, according to Edelman (2002), can be traced back historically in the Western world. However, after rat-sporting became prohibited by English law in 1870s, the Western culture began to interact with the animal differently (Edelman 2002).By the end of the nineteenth century, the rat was classified in Western contexts as: detestable pest, a lovable pet, and laboratory subjects (Edelman 2002). In this essay, I aim to show their cultural meaning and social structures to Western society, by analysing the human-rat relations and classifications in the Western world. In the West, the diverse contexts we encounter and interact with the rats have transformed their cultural meanings and social structures in our society. Rats as detestable pests
Historically, rats have been viewed as disgusting, categorised as detestable pests and associated with negative images in Western contexts. Edelman (2002) reveals how westerners tend to despise and demonise rats with examples of from the media, such as films and advertisements which act as enhancers of disgust. Consequently, the rat has become a symbol of “dirt, disease and evil aggression” (Edelman 2002:6). This presents a cultural understanding in Western societies of cleanliness and
With all of that being said, the book I am reflecting on is entitled Even the Rat was White. This book was written by Robert V. Guthrie and includes a new foreword by William H. Grier. The purpose of this reflection is to review what I’ve read and to present a recollection of the emotions and experiences brought on by the reading of this book. This reflection will be outlined in different sections according to certain chapter pairings. Every chapter will be discussed in groups of two except for the last chapter of nine and then will be followed by a summary of the information presented.
Submission refers to at least six sociological concepts covered in the lectures or textbook reading
There were no toilets, so human and rat excrement wound up in the meat, along with the rats themselves. These unsanitary details moved readers far more than the injustices inflicted on the workers. Other examples include the rechurning of rancid butter, the cutting of ice from polluted water and the doctoring of milk with formaldehyde. The average consumer was shocked to know that the “pure beef” was in fact contaminated and unfit for human consumption. Imagine
The very hate I was taught to loathe, for my race has been scapegoated and hated since the dawn of mankind, was now slowly becoming part of me. Being swept away by the malevolent New York attitude caused me to ignore this paradox, to let it be taken captive by my anger. It pled with me to listen, to stop hating, but I shackled it to the back wall of my conscience. The overpowering ethic was bestial, fit for animals, not humans. I'm not talking about any lovable bunny rabbits or timid deer, mind you. I'm talking about vicious animals, like New York, cat-sized, hairy, filthy, germ-carrying rats that don't scurry when something bigger comes their way, that line their holes with a dead
In this essay, I will assess the strengths and limitations of unstructured interviews for investigating the effect of material deprivation on educational achievement by using Item B and my own knowledge. Material deprivation is the idea that a lack of money leads to disadvantages, Item B gives an example of ‘low household income, poor housing and a lack of work space in the home.’
The abuse of Animals is increasing around the world, for personal and recreational uses. Animals are used in ancient and modern medicine to cure different types of illnesses and diseases. Animals are also being used for testing different types of hygiene products; which leave many of them are left scarred for life, while others are left to die in a cage. Animal rights groups around the world are working around the clock trying to stop this abuse, groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Are working around the clock to make sure such practices stop. This paper will demonstrate how modern liberals view animal rights, and how animals are viewed within society.
The term socialization can be defined as the process in which individuals learn the behavioral patterns that are most likely accepted and tolerated in society. This process includes the learning values in which children are taught and they develop the social values of their parents or guardians just by observing them. Socialization occurs from the birth of the individual and continues throughout their life. Socialization is classified as one of the most important process in the family. Of all the major sociological perspectives, symbolic interactionism has probably developed the most detailed theory of socialization, Haralambos, Holborn. Sociology -
Sociological Perspectives and Theories Sociologists try to explain how society orders itself but there are many different theories for this, which often conflict with one another. Some of these classic theories include Marxism, Functionalism, and Interactionism. There are also more modern or contemporary theories such as Feminism. Each sociological perspective has different beliefs.
Akers, R. (2006). Parental and peer influences on adolescent drug use in Korea. Asian Journal of Criminology.
There are several theories created by many thinkers of our time that believes that societal, financial, and social arrangements and/or structures as the main cause of criminal behavior. In society, depending on where you are, there are usually some unwritten norms that are expected to be followed. It can be in a business corporation, out in the streets, at home. Usually there will be two sets of norms that is expected to be followed that causes an individual to feel torn. However, the feeling of being torn is the inner battle of doing the right thing, conscience or keeping yourself alive.
Social structures are constraints that affect the lives of both the affluent and the indigent members of society. Each society has its own set of social arrangements for example; class, gender and ethnicity are all constraints that each society has to deal with in one way or another. One of the most fundamental of the social structures would be class. Class structure is found in all societies and is the key source of economical inequality. Members of different class groups start their lives with unequal opportunities. This means that when someone is born into a poor household they will undoubtedly remain in the same economical situation they began in. Gender is another important
Sociological theory creates ways to understand the social world by having different theories to explain understand social life. It aids to make sense of this social world. It draws together a wide range of perspectives to help provide the fullest picture. (Macionis & Plummer p.36) It shows that one theory can explain something that another cannot. My aim is to answer this question with reference to both functionalism and conflict theory. This will be done by comparing and contrasting both theories in relation to their perspectives on both suicide and gender discrimination as social issues relevant to this day and age. Functionalism and conflict perspectives are both macro theories. This means that they focus on the big picture, for
Michael Pollan’s, An Animal’s Place, analyzes the controversial topic of animal abuse while Pollan himself struggles to comprehend the relationship between humans and non-humans. Whether animals are used for food or clothing, Pollan’s impartial view of the moral ethics behind the treatment of animals acknowledges that we as readers are susceptible to influence and he encourages the questioning of our own beliefs. Rather than succumbing to Singer’s, All Animals are Equal demands of making it our “Moral obligation to cease supporting the practice” (pg.4), Pollan conveys the benefits as well as the concerns to the consummation of animals. From the personal connection Pollan establishes with his readers, his progressive beliefs
The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 11-point font, 1” margins. Both the write-up and your typed journal should be saved as ONE document with page numbers. Remember to include a citation for any resources referenced, in proper APA format, and make sure your name is on your paper.
are the three major paradigms that function in today’s society. Functionalist, and conflict paradigms are macro-sociological paradigms. Symbolic interaction is a micro-sociological paradigm. Functionalist paradigm focuses on the integration of society, while social conflict focuses on the issue of division among society. Symbolic interaction works on communication and social change as a consequence. The three paradigms are completely different from each other in a social point of view. The macro-sociological paradigms view America as an inequality state. The social conflict paradigm fits today’s society.