Defining the Concepts of Class, Race, Gender Essay

E truly society known to man has utilize each turn tail, anatomy, ethnicity, gender or all of the above to descend side in civilization. Sometimes 1 or more of these categories comingle and we characterize this as intersectionality. Finding the words, however, to define manikin, bleed, gender, or intersectionality is non an easy feat. Throughout the former(prenominal) few weeks we call for read umteen denominations that allowed us many pass away descriptions. Prior to this course I would contract described division as being a way in which society groups individuals found on economic positions or tender status. In my opinion, sometimes policy-making beliefs bunghole attribute towards shed light on placement as well. However, since reading the required texts and ceremonial occasion films based on class, we now know that there atomic number 18 some different factors associated with class divisions. For example, we read in Brenda J. Allens favor suitable Class Matters word that not only argon these two viewpoints large contributors (economic & political alliances) towards classes, but overly geographic locations.This can be inviten when visiting a typical trailer park, where many of its residents are presumably called snow-clad fight, or as depicted with lower in get on families who live in the projects or ghetto. Their locale most likely reflects their cordial status or class. Moreover, we have check up oned that these factors similarly define what class is to the general public bringing up, occupational position, and power. Women without class by Julie Bettie examines class theory by understanding the shipway in which class identity is constructed. It has many illustrations of social class by way of education and occupational positions. The upper crust students of Waretown were typically tykeren of innocence collar employees. The preps generally outperformed the las chicas, hard living, and often settled living students o f this documentary, as exemplified in the titles placed on the over and under achievers. For example, preps is an abbreviation for college preparative which was the type of advanced class the children of white collar workers of Waretown enrolled in to grow for life subsequently high school.While these courses allowed some students endless opportunities, differentwise students in the exact same school attended seminars with lowered educational expectations. Instead these students were encouraged to attend expensive certification courses that upon graduation held them clothed in low paying positions with debt remaining after completion. The Death of the Social Class by Pakulsky and Waters believes social class is no lifelong relevant in the United States. A principal reason for this pass states that because slavery is now obsolete, we have the effective upholding of the United States Constitution, and we expect education to be attained by all races. As a prove resources have become more prevalent among all races. Race, in the past, was a word that I identified as being someones peel off color, however as I matured ( twain mentally and strong-armly) and met individuals from other cultures I soon realized that race is a culmination of many things.Culture and ethnicity are quite influential in find out a persons race as well. For example, not everyone with dark skin is African American, just as not ever fair shinny person is Caucasian. As exhibited in Cruz-Janzens For example in the obligate Racial formation in the United States written by Michael Omi and Howard Winant, we learn of the Louisiana law that states that if a person has 1/32nd inkiness blood, they are automatically considered dark or African American. Although Susie Guillory Phipps tells us she is absolute majority Caucasian this law still classifies her as being Black and she unsuccessfully attempted to sue the state to change her vital records. There are many reasons why the government still requires race on legal paperwork. Some argue that some sort of racial classification constitution is required.One reason whitethorn be the government funded subsidies some companies forgather as a resoluteness of employing a minimum amount of minorities. From a personal viewpoint, race matters because it is a way that people identify culturally with one another. another(prenominal) reason may be from a biologic perspective some diseases and/or illnesses may be common amongst definite races, therefore it would be beneficial medically to be aware of such traits. Women Without Class (Bettie) also identifies various races for the sake of case studies that were searched by the author. The feminine students identified culturally with one another but sometimes overlapped identities to interact with one another. As in the example of the student Starr who was from a functional class background, however she identified with the cultures of the Mexican American cholas after pal try to Waretown.This is an example of an extreme case in which the person felt the urgency to choose one particular group to socialize with because she did not spirit as though she had much in common with the other non-Hispanic functional class students she chose to interact with this social hierarchy. She gave in to conformity from her past actions to bettor fit the desires and social realities of her newly acquired friends. Gender is another social scene that many people use to split up each other. It has been said that had it not been for ourselves questioning or labeling gender, it would not exist at all. The Social building of Gender written by Judith Lorber argues gender construction begins being cataloged after viewing the childs genitals after delivery. Upon parentage babies are treated differently based on sex and/or gender.An unwilling yet major classification occurs as soon as the botch up is placed in his or her incubator. Nurses and other medical staff ramble the tiny babies in one of two colors pink or blue. It has even been questioned that our speech and tone changes according to the babies sex as well. If we see a baby boy, for example, we quickly begin to daydream of tossing the old pigskin well-nigh in the yard or rough housing the baby. For the baby girl, however, we babble out in softer high pitched tones and fantasize about planning distinguish believe tea parties with baby dolls as guests. In essence, Lorber believes that gender expression is erudite and is being taught not necessarily an expression of how we see ourselves. Another gender specific study was examined in R.W. Connells Gender transaction. In this article we learned of 2 separate studies conducted.Barry Thornes interrogation in which teaching roles in American elementary schools were mostly comprised of females and playgrounds were split up based on gender. The second study was performed by Dunbar Moodies, who researched South African mines that were, not surprisingly, dominated by the male workforce. Another theory learned in Connells article was that of trailblazing British feminist Juliet Mitchell- who taught that there were quatern elements of gender that subjugate women. Those four facets were believed to be production, reproduction, socialization, and sexuality. It is also demonstrated in more current literary findings unrelated to gender.For example, Black Picket Fences addresses racial stereotypes, but it also depicts womens roles separately from male gender roles. each(prenominal) story that is told from first person shares a journey that taken either from reformed bad boys or girls that have strayed along the beaten grade and hooked up with the guy from the wrong side of the track. The males were sometimes friction match pressured into joining gangs from lack of liable male figures and as a result may have performed illegal acts. This clearly represents gender assignments. Intersectionality involves both social and c ultural relationships that overlap between race, class, and gender. Perhaps the most obvious limning of this theme isSection 2 Biology and FamiliesIn Conleys article The Starting Gate regarding the correlation between low birth incubus babies and race it was determined that social standings in society is not based solely on genetics and biology. Instead we learn that other factors may influence our place in society as well. Things like our educational backgrounds and what occupations we choose to support ourselves combine with aspects that are outside of our control, like birth order and race, to decide the social class we will inherent. Women Without Class discusses the purpose of some students becoming upwardly mobile. This concept is authorised because it shows how race and parental occupations sometimes do not decide what social class a person will be invited into. The upwardly mobile students were not necessarily white, and had parents who were blue collar workers as oppose d to being a lawyer, doctor, and so onyet despite all of this they were still able to join the social cliques of the elite.These girls were also able to develop a strong sense of class awareness. In fact, Lareaus Invisible Inequality even states that race has very little to do with class social standings. The data collected from this investigation examines parenting styles all socioeconomic backgrounds from either Black or White families perspective. The researchers were able to map the connections between parents resources and their childrens daily activities. sum class families, regardless of race, tended to take a more traditional attempt to child rearing in comparison with lower class families who relied firmly on outside play and extended families for activities. Middle class parents also stressed language development and use of reasoning skills. These parents enroll their children in various age appropriate organized activities that govern family life and fix massive effor t for mothers. The parents view these activities as passing on important life skills to children.They asked leading open-ended questions that required insight and thought evoke answers. Whereas, working class and poor families believe that if they give a child love, food, and a safe environment they will grow to become responsible adults. They also participate in little organized sports or other activities and have much more free time. Working-class and poor parents bulge many more directives to their children and some place a great speak of stress on physical punishment. A great example of this is the research of Harold McAllister, a 10 year old from a lower class black family. Harolds mother asks very little questions of authority figures (such as the family doctor) and does not encourage Harold to be cognizant of his body and any wellness related questions he may have. He plays outdoors with his older cousins and occasionally attends church. For the most part Invisible Inequa lity is full of descriptions of race versus class status.However, with regard to birth order and geographic locations determining social status, it is also briefly mentioned in Invisible Inequality. For instance, when we are introduced to another research subjects family, upper middle class black family horse parsley Williams, we learn that both of Alexs parents are from small Southern towns and come from large families. This slight mention is yet another example of intersectionality as well. A more extreme example, genetically speaking Ms Phipps (mentioned previously) was considered licitly Black however her social status did not classify her by her race. Phipps identifies with the White race. The case illustrated the inadequacies that claim that race is merely skin color. We have all witnessed or been aware of racial conditioning at one point or another.We make assumptions based on race and classify a persons race immediately according to their physical appearance. Biologically s peaking, there are many factors that influential in determining a persons birth weight. Low income families have less medical vexation and are exposed to certain agents that prohibit normal growth of the fetus. to a fault contact with second hand smoke and lead based paints, etc. have been attributed towards low birth weight. Another factor involving biology is the responsibility many women from different racial backgrounds face.White women, for example, have long been pass judgment to remain wholesome and keep the family bloodlines pure. Pressure to remain a utter(a) until marriage and pre-marital sex were heavily stressed among white women. This forced racial conformity as a means of biological deterioration for the white race. In conclusion, all of the articles and readings discussed previously support Conleys summation that both genetic and biological starting points do not fully determine our social standings in class. Rather, they work cohesively with other reasons to esta blish these relationships.Section 3 Working Class & Middle Class IdentitiesAlthough class is particularly important I would agree that other issues are becoming increasingly just as important if not more. Factors such as race and or gender influence personal outcomes. Both Women Without Class and Black Picket Fences provided various examples to support this theory.