In my sociology class on Monday we learned about sociological imagination, which is the connection between history and biography. It also has to do with where and when you live, which shapes who you are. Although that is the definition I do not fully agree with this statement. There are many examples of people coming from unfortunate situations who make something of themselves. Unfortunately a majority of time when and where you live does shape people; but I believe that is just an excuse, there are definitely exceptions. For example students from inner city schools work hard and end up going to college, when at times there are students who have every opportunity given to them and they still end up not appreciating things and don't make something of themselves. I believe life is all about working for your goal and if you really want to reach that goal it is possible if you work hard. The journey may be rough and there may be times that people put you down, but if there is a will there is a way.
That's an interesting thought how you don't agree with by living in an unfortunate environment won't make you sad or depressed your whole life. I actually never thought that when I did the reading, but I do agree with your example with 'going to college' and it just an excuse to just be sad for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe in what you say when you state that people should work for their goals because in life, nothing comes easy.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with you there. I really believe that people shouldn't take advantage of the life that they were born and they should work hard no matter what. "If there's a will, there's a way." I couldn't have said it better myself...
ReplyDeleteI agree I don't like people who make excuses in any way no matter how tough they have it. I think excuses limit people's potentials. While some people may have it tougher than others everyone has the capability through hard work and determination to achieve any goal.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about the situations where people live under tough conditions. That shouldn't be an excuse not to do well for themselves later on; everyone has the potential to achieve their goals regardless of where they came from.
ReplyDeleteLook at this discussion you started! Cool. Yes - individuals can shape who they become and where they end up, but the sociological imagination is saying something bigger than that. It is saying that the individuals goals and possibilities are shaped by where and when they live. So for example, had Jackie Robinson been born 10 years earlier, he might have never played major league baseball, or had Bill Gates been born 10 years earlier he might still have been successful but not in computers - the technology was not far enough along then for him to have the opportunities that he did. Or a really simple way to think about it is that if you were born in Japan, you would speak Japanese and eat Japanese foods, you know? People are shaped by where and when they live.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. If you grew up somewhere different you would be a totally different person!
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