Sunday, March 3, 2013
Constructing Social Constructionism
I moved this post from my other blog site -- thought it might be useful as you come to terms with the social construction of gendered identity. PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPACE TO ASK QUESTIONS RE: YOUR LEARNING -- WHAT MAKES SENSE, WHAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE....
The concept of becoming a particular kind of person through a process of "social construction" basically means we can't become anyone by ourselves (individual as the opposite of social). Imagine on the day you were born, your misguided parents put you in a room by yourself and had no contact with you until you were, say, ten years old. With all good intentions, your weird parents did not want to interfere with your "unique development", they wanted you to become "who you were meant to be" and "fulfill your God-given talents" and other unexamined colloquialisms that people say every day. But, of course, you guessed the problem -- you turn out to be even more weird than your parents. Basically, this means that people don’t just automatically become who they are, they are pulled, folded, tucked and hammered into a certain shape through their interactions with others – during conversations, the way people act toward them (or ignore them), labels they are given, attributes others use to describe them, until we start to become well, a real human being. We are used to thinking of more or less mainstream parenting in which we guide, direct, listen, interact, share values, rituals, specific family practices, etc. as allowing our children to "become who they want to be" or even "allowing them to follow their interests". While, all the time, they are immersed every second of every waking moment in a hubbub of social activity filled with social interactions of every imaginable kind -- other children, relatives of every age, babysitters, siblings, TV, videos, games, etc. There is nothing individual about growing up even if you are an only child. And not only do we, as parents, have great influence over who our children become, we intend to have as much influence as possible -- we really DO want our kids to be certain kinds of people (loving, industrious, good moral/ethical values, polite, clean, etc.) and so we pay very close attention to how we engineer their environments hoping to have a monstrous impact on who they become. Social and cultural environments are crucial overriding components and they are the components over which we have some control.
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The “social construction” theory, is one that answers the question “Why are we the way we are?” It is the foundation of how developing children are affected by social interactions and how they learn from them. The only question I do have about “social construction” is what part does it play in adulthood, does social construction only happen when children are at the developing stages of their lives?
ReplyDeleteVery very interesting. So basically, are none of us individuals? When people say, "just be yourself," really are they saying, be who you want to be like (in essence)?
ReplyDeleteI understand what this is saying but Im not sure if I actually agree with it. I like the idea of being an individual, and although yes in some aspects its obvious that others affect you, but I think we have a say in who affects us and to what extent.
ReplyDeleteWow! I thought this blog definitely hit home for me. I really could relate to what you said, “People don’t just automatically become who they are, they are pulled, folded, tucked and hammered into a certain shape through their interactions with others.” This could not scream my life any louder. Throughout my journey as a student-athlete at UW-Parkside, I have been blessed and fortunate to have had such an amazing supporting cast. More than ever, this year I have leaned on professors, coaches, and administrating staff to help guide me through my next chapter in life. On the same hand, I look back to who greatly impacted my life and that was my 5th grade teacher. She shaped me into becoming a better student and strived for me to be successful. I know for a fact that, at that age she molded me into the person I am today. In addition, to my 5th grade teacher, I have had a lot of coaches and professors who have significantly changed my life and I am greatly appreciated. Without these positive people to guide me through life I would not be where I am today. Lastly, as I am trying to figure out my next step in life, the more I realize how lucky I am to be a part of an amazing UW-Parkside family.
ReplyDeleteThis points out to me the importance of education. That is essentially what your parents do when they raise you, they give you an education about the world. I don't feel that you would have any talents or be anyone if you were not taught or pushed to discover and develop your abilities. You would certainly turn into something if you were left alone to raise yourself, I'm just scared to see what that would be.
ReplyDeleteSocial construction is something that we learn about in almost, if not every communication class. It is one of the corner stones of the discipline. I agree that people's personalities are socially constructed, but that is not to say that one must be passive to the social forces upon them. Rebelling against an opinion of you, or a suggestion of who you should be is also part of the process. You can chose to conform or not, either way, the social world that you live in is having an effect on you and your personality.
ReplyDeleteDiana,
DeleteThat's an excellent point -- it is not as if we are batted around by social and cultural forces -- it is WITHIN human interactions that construction of knowledge and self take place. Because it is the process that influences the construction, we do make decisions along the way, we have agency. I wonder if we highlight that enough in the department? what do you think?
I think the idea of agency is not highlighted as much in the department, but I think this is because the idea of the power of social forces is the main idea that the department is trying to teach. Many people already have the idea that personal choice and agency are what make them who they are, or some have the idea of pre-determinism or destiny as having made them who they are, before they enter the department. It is good to keep in mind that within the social interactions people take place in, they still have agency, but I understand why it is not a main topic of discussion.
DeleteI have to say that I do agree with the theory that we cannot become who we are by ourself. The reason I agree with this is because each person lives a different life in which many mistakes are made and some lessons are learned. Some situations teach us what we will never do or allow ourself to do again, people we will not associate ourselves with, and the characteristics in which we would like to keep and/or change. That is how I would define the theory at least for myself. I do know this theory is about being completely shaped by society and with that I do not necessarily agree upon. I feel society does shape us in ways but depending on the knowledge we have for ourselves, control and acceptance of who we are also plays a role in who we become.
ReplyDeleteKimberly,
ReplyDeleteWondering where the "knowledge we have for ourselves, control and acceptance of who we are" come from?