Introduction
The different readings on race, gender, identity, and sexuality provide significant information on how such aspects relate to and influence society. The articles offer different terminologies, which are elaborated through practical examples of how the concepts of how such factors shape individual sociological perspectives. The readings describe terms like heterosexuality were developed and its implication throughout history. Katz utilizes both biological and sociological implications of the words through history (Katz 83). Different meanings and features attached to the term developed as the understanding of sexuality increased from the standard perception. The terms changed their meaning from a gender perspective to an advanced perspective of sexuality involving sexual attraction to individuals from both genders (Katz 88). Such perceptions of gender and identity show that definitions change as the level of understanding continues to evolve.
Discussion
With the development of varied meanings attached to the relationship between gender and sexuality, the use of theories becomes critical to eliminate the confusion that develops with increased contradicting information about a concept. In their article about gender and identity, Howard and Alamilla argue that theories make it easy to understand how society uses symbols like clothing to provide an underlying meaning and perception about gender and sexuality (Howard and Ramira 163). Approaches like essentialism, socialization, social construction, and structuralism provide different points of view historically used. In such cases, behavior, roles, age, social classes, sexuality, and institutionalization are used as the basis for understanding gender and identity.
A more elaborate understanding of the relationship between gender, social class, identity, and inequality is provided in Sherwood’s article “The View from the country club: Wealthy Whites and the Matrix of Privilege.” This article shows how location significantly causes identity formation and gender loss variability (Sherwood 232). Similar to the previously discussed articles, Sherwood also elaborates on how gender roles and identity development. Examining the four country clubs in the Northeast provides a formal example of how gender and sexism develop with social classes (Sherwood 238). In addition, the challenge of sexuality arising due to gender, identity, and social classes is considered to impact how individuals express themselves significantly. Pfeffer provides the stigma and identity work linked to gender, sex, and sexuality. She samples relationships with transgender women and how their sexual orientation provides identity barriers (Sherwood 284). In this case, she outlines a situation similar to Sherwood’s country club stratification to indicate the fluidity of identity and how the attainment of identity is negotiated based on the available social context and interactions.
As an example of how social issues like race, gender, identity, social class, and sexuality influence human lives, Asians are paying many costs in American society. According to Chou and Feagin, Asians have experienced a lot of discrimination as they try to reconstruct their identity in American culture (Chou and Feagin 516). The various experiences that Asian Americans have had throughout history show how sociological perspectives influence different community members. After reading through the articles, it is evident how sociological aspects like race, gender, identity, and sexuality are shaped by the forces like social classes which operate within society. The articles build upon each other, elaborating on how the various sociological perspectives interrelate and impact social life. The readings have enhanced my understanding of the causes of social issues discussed in this course including racism, discrimination, and gender identity. I currently understand that structural and behavioral elements may create hostile perceptions about a particular ethnic group which may be used as a basis for discrimination.
Detailed Reflection
Chou and Feagin’s article “The many costs of anti-Asian Discrimination” is one of the articles that impressed me. The choice of the article is based on the fact that it provides a real-life example of how race, identity, and social classes significantly impact individuals. Reflecting on the lives of Asian Americans, Chou, and Feagin give an account of how social forces like race and social status influence an individual’s identity as they are taken advantage of or discriminated against. I related this with my personal experience which has enabled me to understand that the struggle to develop one’s identity in a society full of hate, prejudice, and stereotyping is challenging. Over time I have learned that there is a need to establish aspects like self-acceptance and work to create a niche for oneself in a highly stratified society. Society may not be favorable to many, especially the minority groups which indicates everyone needs to be determined to fight and endure challenges related to racism and discrimination.
One of the sociological ideas I would like to share is how people relate to and view each other based on an interactionist perspective. This concept states that people relate with others concerning how they view themselves or the manners in which they perceive others. Labeling and stereotyping can happen if people fail to understand the reasoning behind other people’s cultures. However, helping individuals learn to appreciate the differences between different customs can solve discrimination and racism. Aspects like racism and social status are perceived as significant barriers for individuals from minority groups to get acknowledgment despite their efforts to be different (Chou and Feagin 517). In such situations, individuals experience much pressure to succeed and fit in the society they have been looked down on.
Conclusion
Even with such efforts, individuals must embrace their culture and be proud of it despite being considered inferior. In such situations, individuals must deal with racism, discrimination, and self-esteem issues to succeed and survive in American society. The article reflects what individuals from minority groups experience as they try to become important people in the community. Through the article, one can learn the need for individuals to unite to confront the various challenges they experience as a group. According to the article, the lack of a mechanism to deal with discrimination against black, like in the civil rights movement, has made it challenging for Asian Americans to confront racism and discrimination. Due to this reason, it is critical to develop mechanisms that would enable them to deal with the various sociological issues they experience.
Works Cited
Chou, Rosalind S., and Joe R. Feagin. “The many costs of anti-Asian discrimination”. Race, gender, sexuality, and social class: Dimensions of inequality and Identity, edited by Ferguson, Stephen J., 2015, 3Rd edition, Sage.
Howard, Judith A., and Ramira M. Alamilla. “Gender And Identity”. Race, gender, sexuality, and social class: Dimensions of inequality and Identity, edited by Ferguson, Stephen J., 2015, 3Rd edition, Sage
Katz, Jonathan Ned. “The invention of heterosexuality”. Race, gender, sexuality, and social class: Dimensions of inequality and Identity, edited by Ferguson, Stephen J., 2015, 3Rd edition, Sage.
Pfeffer, Carla A. ““I don’t like passing as a straight woman”: Queer negotiations of identity and social group membership”. Race, gender, sexuality, and social class: Dimensions of inequality and Identity, edited by Ferguson, Stephen J., 2015, 3Rd edition, Sage.
Sherwood, Jessica Holden. “The view from the country club: Wealthy whites and the matrix of privilege”. Race, gender, sexuality, and social class: Dimensions of inequality and Identity, edited by Ferguson, Stephen J., 2015, 3Rd edition, Sage.