Sociology Papers at 6:37 AM

I know it's been a long tine since I last posted. I just got done with my first year of graduate school an have been real busy with papers. All done for the summer though. Wrote three of my best papers this semester. All were done early I'll add.

First one was on feminist theory and rape statistics. A lot of feminist theory proponents theorize that as equality increases, rape rates will increase as well. Think of rape as a product of devaluing women. A backlash feminist perspective predicts the opposite. Rape is a tool to suppress women. So as women gain social status, some men will react to this advancement with sexual violence. This second, backlash theory is supported by the data but isn't as popular amount researchers and pop culture science. It's a hard sell, convincing people that reducing inequality within a society will "cost" women in the short run.

Also did a paper on education and gender inequality. Most of my class mates know that I'm a hard core social constructionist. Boys an girls aren't different at birth, they are made that way. Education is a big part of that process. Education has also been credited for reducing gender inequality and racial prejudice. Again, a popular idea that makes sense, but has no scientific backing. If you look at people's attitudes towards segregation an gender stereotypes, you'll see a change in what people say as they gain education. The more education a person receives the less likely they will support general inequalities. What you would expect right? A better question to ask though is how much support they give to specific policies that would reduce inequality. These policies would change the current power balance, reducing the dominance some groups have (educated white males) and empowering other groups. Education has no affect on these opinions. So in other words, education just makes us better at hiding our prejudices and appearing supportive of change without actually costing us power through actual change.

One study looked at racial segregation of neighborhoods. While those whites with higher education showed very low levels of support for segregation, when compared to their less educated white cohorts, they drew the line at any actual change in power. The less educated and college graduates showed no difference in their lack of support for living in a neighborhood that was 50/50 between Blacks and whites. So while education taught them to be supportive of equality, they were well aware of their social position and did not change their desire to maintain the majority position in their neighborhood.

I'm not saying whites are intentionally racist or even unintentionally racist. Hell, I'm white and educated. I'm just pointing out that whites hold a position of power still and have interest in maintaining that privilege. This is true for anyone in a privileged place. They want to keep that spot. It's foolish to think any group would be willing to concede power. Individuals will definitely be able to act against their self interest, and for a greater good, but on a group level a collection of people can't be expected to exhibit the same level of altruistic behavior. Education just enables the group to conceal their position and maintain it better.

I go into a lot more on both papers, than I did above, but I just typed this all on my iPhone and so I cut a bunch out. I welcome any comments or questions. I think this stuff is so fun, but I'm a dork with Sociology. Excuse any typos by the way. Each paper was roughly 25 pages. And all three were A's. Woot woot. I promise to crank out more posts this summer.

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Maybe I Can Stand The Cold at 1:06 PM

It is so fucking cold!!! I know people up north are thinking "you don't know what cold is," but I live in Texas and this is cold. Someone dropped an ice cube in the parking lot at my apartment, it has been there for over five hours now. I don't do cold. I do hot triple digit temperatures, pass out when you open the door, sweat your ass off walking to the car weather. The last two days though I think I finally figured out how to dress for the cold. It only took 22 years of practice. Three layers under a coat, with a scarf and hat, two pairs of pants on. Probably in the upper 20's here but I'm dressed for the arctic apocalypse. Being able to bend your legs is so over rated.

Proposals at 1:39 PM

I've been proposed to three times, four if you count the drunk friend on Congress Ave. For the record, I'm 22 years old. I guess when you can't get legally married, a proposal seems like the thing to do... The first time however was probably the most traumatic for me. Great way to describe a proposal huh? Traumatic.

I was trying to go to sleep, totally exhausted. Was almost gone when my boyfriend at the time asked if I was awake. Always seemed like a stupid question to me. "Are you awake?" "No, I talk in my sleep." He kind of hesitates; "Can I ask you a question?" Without even thinking, I responded in my typical sarcastic way, "As long as you don't ask me to marry you, yeah what is it?" There's a pause. (Oh Fuck) Then he tells me not to look in the nightstand drawer, where he hid the ring. I calmly get up, walk to the bathroom, lock the door, and proceed to have what I only can describe as a slight panic attack on the tile floor. WTF! Who proposes after six months? The relationship quickly went downhill after that. It's kind of hard to keep up a relationship when you know the other person is constantly tinkering with a ring in their pocket.

I think about that night every time I hear about one of my old classmates getting hitched a few month after they change their relationship status to "in a relationship". Can we all just slow down a little, take some time, deal with these things with some levelheadedness? I have a few friends who did it the right way. Dated, got to know each other, didn't treat marriage as a trap to ensure someone never leaves you. Marriage is all fine and dandy, but really shouldn't be the "I'm bored, let's get married" alternative to dating.

Wall Space at 2:26 PM

I've ran out of wall space for my paintings. I either need to start selling some of them or repaint the older ones. I don't see the purpose behind painting something that nobody is going to see or enjoy. A lot of people ask for paintings from me, but I don't think they realize the time, effort, or money that goes into each one. Especially if I'm going to give the painting to someone, I don't want to just whip one out. If the canvas is going to be hanging in someone's home or space I want it to be good work that means something to me. I have a canvas sitting on my coffee table that I doodled on with paint, but nowhere to put it up. Something must go.

Pets vs. Children at 2:05 PM

Most of my friends know that I don't really care for children. They are loud, messy, and for the most part not very useful to anyone. I know, "not my children, not every child, blah blah". The other day at work thought I found myself standing up for the temporary little people, not to be confused with the permanently little people that get handicap parking spaces and their own shows on the Discovery channel. One of my coworkers was talking about her child and how they keep getting into the Christmas ornaments, how the little girl has broken a lot of the glass ones on the bottom of the tree (a bad place to put glass ornaments if you ask me) and one of the supervisors made the remark that his puppy does the same thing, "He's still a puppy so he gets into a lot of stuff he shouldn't too." This struck me as an odd connection, but after thinking about it, a connection that seems to appear often.

Maybe it is an attempt to make a connection to parents. Single people don't have kids most of the time, but rather they fill that space with pets. They personify their pets and treat them as their children. I'm really not that bothered by this; if I could have a dog I would in a heartbeat and would probably treat him as my child. The problem is when they start comparing their animal to other people's children. Your cat will not grow up to drive, go to college, and generally be a productive member of society. You do not need to worry that your dog will fall into the wrong crowd. No your pet goldfish with his friendly personality and dashing good looks isn't falling behind in class or going through "a stage". I know they may feel like your child, but really they aren't exactly on the same level.

If I had a kid and someone compared them to their Great Dane I think I would nicely smile at them and nod my head as I thought "What the F#$#% are you talking about. At no time did my partner and I worry that our child had hookworms or flick them on their nose for begging at the table." I'm trying real hard to give pet owners some leeway here. But really I think people just put up with them out of consideration and a need to appear nicer than their thoughts really are. Do we really want children to be compared to animals, more than they already are?

Marriage at 11:34 AM

I have a problem with gays and lesbian couples who refer to their partner as their wife or husband. You aren't. Sorry. If you went to some state or country an made it all legal, that's a different story. But if you just decided that you two have been together long enough to take that title, your wrong. You can't even get a common law marriage. I'll put up with "partner", "life partner", and even "spouse.". Marriage requires legal documentation and recognition from some type of government. And no, marriage of the heart doesn't count either.

When you use the term husband, your ignoring the fact that you can't actually get married. Your saying it doesn't matter what the government says, you aren't going to bother with that pesky step. Maybe your thinking, your being some kind of activist or pointing out how your partnership is just as valid as a marriage. It's not. You don't get the same rights, responsibilities, and respect. Don't get me wrong, I wish we could get married, but by ignoring the fact you aren't your ignoring the importance of fighting for that right.

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Holiday Spirit at 9:53 PM

I work retail, if you don't know that already. We are currently asking for donations from our customers for a wonderful charity. I have a few suggestions however. First off, if someone asks you to donate your change of 10 cents and you say, "No thanks, I've already given", you just come out looking like a liar. I know you didn't donate. People who give to charity aren't going to think 10 cents more is going to break them. I especially love the, "oh I volunteer." Again you just look foolish. I missed the part where it was one or the other. "I just spent all day down at the homeless shelter feeding the hungry, I can't possibly spare a dime." I understand that people are tight for cash and that everyone seems to be asking for donations this time of year. I'm not so bothered by the people that just say no. I assume you hate children and don't care about them. Don't insult me though by making up some reason. I don't need an excuse, I'm judging you either way. I'm truly sorry I make you feel guilty by asking for a few cents. Your lack of charitable giving is completely my fault. It's alright, you and your healthy children have a nice day shopping for your $500 bags and over priced sunglasses. No, no I understand your watching your spending this holiday season. Isn't everyone? Little Timmy's mom even had to pick up a third job so she could afford his Christmas Chemotherapy. I hear Santa might bring him a Burberry hat so his head doesn't get cold.

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