Summary
Contents
Subject index
“This is a superb book. By presenting basic sociological topics in terms of the paradoxes they contain, O'Brien situates the discipline and its subject matter in historical and intellectual context, while using examples that are contemporary, accessible, and of interest and relevance to students. I look forward to using Social Prisms in my sociology courses and to the animated class discussions that I'm sure her book will engender.” — Anita Ilta Garey, University of New Hampshire. “Pine Forge Press has done it again! Social Prisms bolsters the well-deserved reputation of Pine Forge Press for publishing serious and innovative yet interesting and accessible works for undergraduate sociology courses. Students will enjoy O'Brien's frequent references to the popular culture (sports, television, movies) which is so central to their existence outside the classroom, and be challenged by her call to embrace rather than resolve the many paradoxes of contemporary social life in America.” — David Yamane, University of Notre Dame
Which Box Do I Check? Paradoxes of Social Difference
Which Box Do I Check? Paradoxes of Social Difference
Paradox
People distinguish themselves from one another in terms of significant social categories. These categories include gender, race, age, social class, sexuality, religion, and body type and ability. There are several myths and paradoxes associated with these ways of marking differences between people. One myth is that these differences are essential, that they are anchored in the very nature of the individual and are unchanging over time. Related myths are perpetuated in beliefs that these differences are associated with other social characteristics, for instance the belief that blacks are less intelligent than whites, or that women are less intelligent than men. A paradox of social differences is that in ...
- Loading...