Identity

Identity

1. Gender

   • Gender is socially constructed(masculine&feminine)
   • Sex is biological(female&male)
   • Ann Oakley-researched how family reinforces gender role socialisation
     • Manipulation-how 'normal' behaviour is encouraged
     • Cannalisation-channeling children's interests in particular directions.(for example what toys you give the child)
     • Verbal appeliation-using words to define whats appropriate for socialisation for gender.(for example-'my little princess' and 'naughty boy')
     • Different activities-how parents involve children in household chores.(for example girls help cook)
   • These norms and values have been labelled 'gender roles', and the definition of gender roles have changed over time.
   • Vews on gender
     • Radical Feminism-gender equality does not exist; society is patriarchal(male-dominant)
       • Secondary socialisation can be harmful to women;cause body image issues
     • Marxism-popular and mass culture distract society from gender equality.
       • Conflict theory;gender inequality is necessary
         • Society benefits those with power;in a patriarchal society,that would be males getting benefits
     • Functionalism-Society benefits everyone in different ways, no matter their gender.
       • Gender roles are vital in society; they ensure that society runs smoothly and at its best.
     • Postmodernism-Norms and values in gender are always chaning;equality is improving.
       • Gender diversity9the rise of transgender and non-binary identities) is becoming visible; altering modern days gender roles
   • Looking glass self-women are persuaded by agencies of socialisation that they must appeal in a certain way
     • They judge by how others perceive them; they change aspects of themselves in order to 'fit in' and be liked.
   • Labelling theory-Gender roles are to be followed
     • Rejecting such roles (deviance) can allow negative labelling for both males and females
       • Labels could link to such aspects of one, such as their abilities or sexuality (for example a man negatively being labelled 'gay' if he enjoys feminine activities.

2. Age

   • The period of time someone has been alive or something has existed for
     • Age controls our status and power and can affect peoples identities in negative and positive way throughout their life.
   • Stages in the life course
     • Childhood
     • Youth
     • Young adulthood and middle age
     • Old age
     • These stages in your life course changes depending on where you are in the world, this reveals that age is socially constructed.
   • Hockey and James(1993)
     • Hockey and James say that children are seen to lack the status and personhood and are separated and excluded from the public,adult world,schools,nurseries and the family.
     • Hockey and James link old age and childhood, using the concept 'infantillisation' to explain the similarities between the two.(for example vulnerability and helplessness)
   • Views on age
     • Feminism-Women are judged my factors such as age.
       • Society favours young and young-looking women over ages women
     • Marxism-Ageist conflict is necessary along with togetherness.
       • Adults have the most power, children are negatively treated in society; adults are benefitted most.
     • Functionalism-Age has no matter on social benefits
       • Children and adults shall remain with different treatment to benefit society.
     • Postmodernism-More children are being taken seriously
       • Younger people are taking over.
       • Technology is advancing by young people

3. Ethnicity

   • ethnicity relates to culture, so we all have a ethnic identity- made up of our religion,language,where we live,our ethnic origin, skin colour and so on.
     • In the UK we identify certain ethnic groups by their shared cultural characteritics,though this is often problematic as third,fouth generation migrants are often very complex because they have a range of characterisitcs.
       • An example of this is Modood(1997) he studied 'Asians' and how they fall into the same category but he found they have different nationalities,different religious groups and several language groups
   • Hynridity?
     • A Hybrid identity is a identity formed with aspects made from a mixture.
       • This is obvious mainly in ones nationality and ethnicity; someone can identify as being a British ethnicity, but also carries traits of Asian ethnicity such as having Indian or Pakistan routes.
     • Views on hybrid identities
       • Feminism-Hybrid identities spread equality
         • This can include hybrid gender identities,where people can posses masculine and feminine features.
       • Marxism-Society benefits those with the most power; having hybrid identies, where one part of the hybrid aspect is the 'strongest', allows them to gather privilege.
         • There would be conflict; people may disagree with the idea of hybrid identities.
       • Functionalism-Roles should be kept to allow society to continue smoothly; this would argue against hybrid identities because it combines roles, creating a new concept.
         • Society would benefit all, no matter how people identify themselves.
       • Postmodernism-Hybrid identities are becoming more common in society.
         • It abandons old roles set in the era of modernity.
     • Study on hybrid identities-Nayak(2003)
       • Coined the term of 'white wannabes'
       • This term is used primarily to describe white british males who embrace black hip hop cculture.
       • This is mainly through their apperance,characteristics and gestures.
       • An example of this would be Ali G, a character created by a comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who is portrayed as a young white male who speaks jamaican-like accent and dons tracksuits.
   • Views on ethnicity
     • Feminism-Supporting equality of all females; ethnicity should not divide them.
     • Marxism-The 'ideal' ethnicity, which in most western countries is white people, would be given the post power and be given more benefits by society.
       • Conflict between people due to ethnicity is needed, when there is equality.
     • Functionalism-Society benefits all of any ethnicity
       • Certain ethnicities should remain on uneven grounds, as established decades ago, to keep society running smoothly.
     • Postmodernism-Equality is slowly improving
       • There is international movements for ethnicity equality in western countries.

4. Nationality

   • The status of belonging to a particular nation.
   • National identity is considered in a wider conext- as the identity of the whole country. However a indivual has a national identity which is usually expressed through supporting your nation in sports and also through pride in the anthem adn flag and laguage.
   • An example of national identity is the 2014 campaign and vote for scottish independence from the uk. This raised many issues ofnational identity.
     • For scottish people it was a question of identity and the whole campaign demonstrated the differences in idenitiy.
     • They found in opinion polls around 25% identity as 'more scottish than british'
   • views on nationality
     • Feminism-Nationality can determine how women are treated their cultures.
       • Some national traditions are in favour of males,specifically in patriarchal socities
     • Marxism-Society benefits those with higher wealth and power; populations of less economically developed countries would not gain many benefits.
       • Conflict between nationalities keeps social balance.
     • Functionalism-Society benefits all in different ways internationally.
       • How nationalies are seen and treated should remain; roles are vital to help society.
     • Postmodernism-Nationality is not as important a matter as previously.
       • People of various nationalities live in different countires; this is allowed when legally able to stay.

5. Socail class

   • A division of a society based on social and economic status.
   • Judging social class
     • possesions
     • house
     • lesuire/lifestyle
     • holidays
     • dress/style
     • accent/speech
     • norms/values
     • money/income
     • occupatuoin
   • Class is a social system, used more often decades ago,that separated people due to the different class levels
   • Views on class
     • Feminism-Gender inequality;women earn less and gain less power than men.
       • Working class women preform unpaid labour such as running a household.
     • Marxism-Conflict between social classes caused by power.
       • Society benefits rich and powerful;this world mean the upper class is benefitted most.
       • Popular culture distracts the lower classes from the class equality.
     • Functionalism-Society benefits everyone of all social classes
       • The class system and roles in classes are needed to keep society running smoothly
     • Postmoderinism-Modern life does not focus greatly on class status.
       • As diversity increases in how to gain wealth and income, the class system is dismissed.

6. A social identity means how your identity is shown in society,and seen by others.

7. culture is a way of life and a collection of N+V status and role