My Family: A Sociological Analysis

Nineteen years on Earth is an infinitely small amount of time on the scale on the universe. In that time, I have grown from an infant into what most people would consider an adult. Over the years, multiple different sources have shaped the way I think, act, and which beliefs I hold. From my family, to the media and schools, the environmental impact on my life as been enormous, whether or not I chose to believe so. Through sociological thinking, I will analyze how my family life has influenced my beliefs and behaviors. Family life has played an integral part in the development of my brain, leading me to become the person I am today. Before getting into the nitty gritty details, some explanations are in order. Sociological Imagination, as C.

Through sociological thinking, troubles, problems faced by an individual, and issues, problems that transcend individuals to society at large, can be attributed to a historical and societal cause. Each societal circumstance or institution that has impacted my life, has its own influence from societal beliefs of that time period. The modern family is one example of such institutions that can be attributed to a greater societal norm or belief. Family is considered by many, to be the most important aspect of their life. My mother swears by her family, while my father has excommunicated his side. Everyone has their own story, however, each story has a root in some other societal belief. My family, consisting of two children, a mother, and a father, is not a typical family. The common christian suburban beliefs dominating the area in which we lived had little impact on my parents belief system. Growing up, my parents were raised in two entirely different households. My mother’s side was what most would consider hippies. Her parents were very liberal, both had jobs and sat comfortably at the middle class. My father’s side was abhorrently catholic and incredibly conservative,

In all aspects of life, I try to be different than the average person. This belief has led me down the path of drug abuse and mental illness, both of which I deal with to this day. Through trying to break out of the societal norm bubble, my parents took an open approach to parenting. The common religious beliefs of that time, like anti gay rhetoric, were the reason my parents wanted to escape the grips of conformity. Their beliefs then impacted their parenting method to allow their children to learn what they want and speak openly and honestly with each other. Societal beliefs of the time angered my parents, so they went against the rules when raising their kids. As a result, I hold similar values towards today 's beliefs, which impacts my decision making in all aspects of my life. Growing up in a nonconforming household has given me the opportunity to see society from an outside view. While it may separate me from most people, it allows me to view life from a different perspective. Instead of doing what everyone else does, I look for things that bring me happiness, and will do whatever it takes, against societal norms or not, to achieve that happiness. Whether or not people accept my ideas is unimportant to me, I think independently with no outside influence determining my decisions, and if it offends a few