Sociological Imagination

According to sociologists social institutions are considered the building blocks that organize society by ordering and structuring the behavior of individuals. David Newman wrote social institutions are “set statuses, roles, groups and organizations formed to provide the foundation that is capable to address various societal needs”. The key social institutions that affect society are family, education, economics, politics, law, religion, health care, the military and mass media. Whether a certain status is held or a particular role is being played or even participating in some of the various practices, individuals are affected as well as they affect these social institutions. Religion for example provides a strong belief system to guide individuals

Newman wrote, “Our everyday lives are a collection of brief encounters, extended conversations, intimate interactions and chance collisions with other people”. Individuals are not only influenced by their immediate friends and family but by everyone in society. It is common to think that the life of an individual is not the reflection of a society’s history but according to American Sociologist C. Wright Mills; it is believed to be true through the term sociological imagination. Mills defines sociological imagination relationship between personal experience and the wider society, which enables individuals to envision the larger historical scene, taking into account their daily experiences and shifting their perspectives. The sociological imagination is the ability to see things socially and how they interact and influence each other. Individuals need to be able to pull themselves away from the situation and think from an alternative point of view in order to understand the concept of sociological

I for one do not disagree with the teachings of my religion nor the strict upbringing of my parents because I know what they did was right. Christianity has set a solid foundation and a firm belief system to where I try to live my life in such a way that is right and just, accordingly to the doctrine of Christianity. Sociological imagination is sometimes difficult for me to perform because of arrogance of others and myself. It’s hard to change or alter my belief system of many years to try and understand someone else’s point of view. And personally I try to see things from a wider lens but it can be challenging because I was raised in such a way. For example same sex marriages, my religion believes that this is ungodly and it’s tough for me to view this any other way. It’s sometimes problematic be to a Christian because of the beliefs, Christian are obligated to live a certain way and if there are any mistakes you will be judged, not only by God but by family members and societies. Especially in my culture as a Christian Guyanese woman it is expected of me to wear proper clothes in a dignified manner, or if a girl was to be pregnant before marriage and have a child out of wedlock is basically a sin and will be judged along with you family. Social imagination refers to the things