11 Things That Are Social Constructs

11 Things That Are Social Constructs

We have created a lot of the concepts we are so familiar with.
Jane Paolantonio
Jane Paolantonio Oct 18, 2016
58610
views

What is a social construct?

Well, it is exactly as it sounds. It is something that is not inherently natural, but created by society. It is an extremely important concept in the social sciences because without them, society would not be the same. The constructs very much shape our lives. But we also shape them. If the existing society changed, new constructs would develop and old ones may weaken. Different societies have different constructs; what is the "norm" here may clash with what is the "norm" in another country.

1. Government

If government wasn't a social construct, there wouldn't be so many differing opinions on what is the "best type of government".

2. Race

"Race is not biological...There is no gene or cluster of genes common to all blacks or all whites. Were race “real” in the genetic sense, racial classifications for individuals would remain constant across boundaries."

3. Gender

Gender is not inherent. Genders are the socially constructed roles, behaviors, etc. that society considers appropriate for "men" and "women".

4. Femininity/Masculinity

Society tells us what is feminine/ masculine and how it can be displayed. The values tied to masculinity have been generally seen as superior to those associated with femininity.

5. Illness

Societies diagnosis differently, and treat the patients differently. Therefore, the concept of illness is constructed. If it wasn't there wouldn't be as much of a variety of treatments for the "same illness".

6. Marriage

The concept of marriage is not universal. Some versions are more inclusive than others.

7. Family

The stereotypical family dynamic varies from culture to culture; there is no inherent family structure.

8. Organized Religions

Among other things, organized religion was created by humans as a way of connecting to each other.

9. Technology

The importance and impact of technology isn't the same for every society. Some heavily rely on it, while some oppose it.

10. Deviance

Deviant behavior is extremely relative. One society may consider something to be wrong or different, while another may not.

11. Education

The process of learning is socially constructed. There is no universal outline for education. The values of a society play into the "education experience".


Cover Image Credit: hyperallergic.com
Jane Paolantonio
Jane Paolantonio Oct 18, 2016
At Wilson College

Popular Right Now

I'm The Girl Who'd Rather Raise A Family Than A Feminist Protest Sign

You raise your protest picket signs and I’ll raise my white picket fence.
Ellie Winters
Ellie Winters Oct 2, 2017
363739
views

Social Media feeds are constantly filled with quotes on women's rights, protests with mobs of women, and an array of cleverly worded picket signs.

Good for them, standing up for their beliefs and opinions. Will I be joining my tight-knit family of the same gender?

Nope, no thank you.

Don't get me wrong, I am not going to be oblivious to my history and the advancements that women have fought to achieve. I am aware that the strides made by many women before me have provided us with voting rights, a voice, equality, and equal pay in the workforce.

SEE ALSO: To The Girl Who Would Rather Raise A Family Than A Feminist Protest Sign

For that, I am deeply thankful. But at this day in age, I know more female managers in the workforce than male. I know more women in business than men. I know more female students in STEM programs than male students. So what’s with all the hype? We are girl bosses, we can run the world, we don’t need to fight the system anymore.

Please stop.

Because it is insulting to the rest of us girls who are okay with being homemakers, wives, or stay-at-home moms. It's dividing our sisterhood, and it needs to stop.

All these protests and strong statements make us feel like now we HAVE to obtain a power position in our career. It's our rightful duty to our sisters. And if we do not, we are a disappointment to the gender and it makes us look weak.

Weak to the point where I feel ashamed to say to a friend “I want to be a stay at home mom someday.” Then have them look at me like I must have been brain-washed by a man because that can be the only explanation. I'm tired of feeling belittled for being a traditionalist.

Why?

Because why should I feel bad for wanting to create a comfortable home for my future family, cooking for my husband, being a soccer mom, keeping my house tidy? Because honestly, I cannot wait.

I will have no problem taking my future husband’s last name, and following his lead.

The Bible appoints men to be the head of a family, and for wives to submit to their husbands. (This can be interpreted in so many ways, so don't get your panties in a bunch at the word “submit”). God specifically made women to be gentle and caring, and we should not be afraid to embrace that. God created men to be leaders with the strength to carry the weight of a family.

However, in no way does this mean that the roles cannot be flipped. If you want to take on the responsibility, by all means, you go girl. But for me personally? I'm sensitive, I cry during horror movies, I'm afraid of basements and dark rooms. I, in no way, am strong enough to take on the tasks that men have been appointed to. And I'm okay with that.

So please, let me look forward to baking cookies for bake sales and driving a mom car.

And I'll support you in your endeavors and climb to the top of the corporate ladder. It doesn't matter what side you are on as long as we support each other, because we all need some girl power.

Cover Image Credit: Unsplash
Ellie Winters
Ellie Winters Oct 2, 2017
At Grand Canyon University

Related Content

Connect with a generation
of new voices.

We are students, thinkers, influencers, and communities sharing our ideas with the world. Join our platform to create and discover content that actually matters to you.

Learn more Start Creating

For The Love Of Pitbulls

Shining light on the stereotypes and biases against pitbulls

PaullyShay DeLuca Dill
PaullyShay DeLuca Dill Dec 10, 2018
101
views

When I first heard the rumor that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) was joining the fight against pitbulls I was infuriated. How could they aide with those wishing to outlaw the biggest snuggle babies in the world? They used to be nicknamed "Nanny dogs" for crying out loud. Was PETA not the ones who were supposed to fight for animals' rights?

I knew there had to be some sort of mistake. In an effort to seek clarity regarding PETA'S stance on pitbulls I researched their website where I found the following statement:

"Some pit bull fanciers out there seem to think that PETA is "against" pit bulls because we don't oppose breed-specific measures to address what is obviously a breed-specific crisis. Au contraire. If someone proposed a ban on breeding Labrador retrievers or Chihuahuas or poodles (you get the picture – any dog), we'd be for those too. That's because we don't think any dogs should be brought into the world as long as millions are dying for lack of homes in animal shelters and on the streets every year."

PETA goes on to indicate that pitbulls are only singled out because they are involved in "so many attacks on humans and other dogs" which any pitbull owner will tell you is a lie. According to the American Temperament Testing Society's (ATTS) 2017 report, pitbulls have an 86.4% pass rate which is significantly greater than other breeds such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels, Shih Tzus, and even Yorkshire terriers. These kinds of slanderous statements by PETA make me question their reliability entirely. If they could miss such a vital piece of research regarding pitbulls, who knows what else is being forgotten. While it is evident by the 3.3 million dogs currently living in shelters across the United States that we should all be participating in the #AdoptDontShop movement, banning the breeding of dogs of any kind would not be a plausible solution. Much like a band-aid, legislation that banned breeding of dogs would encourage more shelters dogs to be adopted rather than euthanized but would have some serious potential risks. One such risk would be the endangerment of breeds going extinct. Typically, shelter dogs are mixed breeds which if they were left to be the only dogs available could wipe out thousands of pure breeds. Just like the animals of the wild, pure breed dog species should also be protected. Some may believe that having a shortage of specific breeds, like the pitbull, for example, would not be so bad. But I am here to explain why such an event would be so heartbreakingly tragic. I and thousands of others have taken to social media to raise awareness of the true facts about owning a pitbull. For example, videos can now be found all over the internet about the true danger of pitbulls and Instagram accounts such as the one for my pitbull Luca that open up the day-to-day lives of those that own these types of dogs. This act of transparency will hopefully open the eyes and hearts of those seeking to ban pitbulls and the breeding of them.
PaullyShay DeLuca Dill
PaullyShay DeLuca Dill Dec 10, 2018
At Southern New Hampshire University

Related Content

Facebook Comments