Sociology 100 Outcomes, Assessment Example

The narrative essay makes several references to well-known sociology concepts.  Among these are blue collar occupations, discrimination, and minorities as alluded to in the narrative.  All three of these concepts are certainly relevant in today’s society, where the stereotypes and appropriate acts are found on an everyday basis for some people.

Concepts

The three concepts that are chosen are quite pronounced in the narrative essay, in blue collar occupations, discrimination, and minorities.  Blue collar occupations are those which are typified by hard workers.  Denotatively, a blue collar worker is simply a manual laborer who earns an hourly wage, as part of the working class.

However, blue collar workers and occupations are seen in a stereotypical manner as well.  Most occupations that require manual labor are placed within this realm, such as the popular automotive industry.  The stereotype also extends to a “hard working” mentality.  Often, one of lesser socioeconomic status is placed within this stereotype, as blue collar occupations typically pay less than white collar occupations.

Discrimination is also another concept that is seen in the narrative.  It refers to the negative treatment, or negative mentality, towards another individual based on some type of criteria.  For instance, one may discriminate against another based on race, gender, or religion.  Discrimination has a powerful effect.  Discrimination can take a high number of forms, and can be based on any criteria in the eyes of the discriminator.  It can even take a reverse form, which is known as reverse discrimination, where an individual discriminates against an individual representative of a major group.

Minorities represent the final sociological concept chosen here.  Its presence in the narrative is easy to see, as it is within society.  A minority group is defined as not being part of a major population in any aspect of society.

Minorities can take many forms.  In common use it is often used to refer to other racial groups within an area, such as African-Americans in the United States.  However, it can extend to a number of other populations as well.  Employment, wealth, education, political power, and social status represent some of the areas in which minority groups may be seen.

Impact in Society

These concepts are well-seen in society.  One concept, blue collar occupations, is simply present in society when the negative connotation is taken away.  There are simply occupations and workers that may be classified in this distinction.  Of course, negative effects are used by individuals to refer to such individuals.

Minorities are also part of society, when the negative connotation is taken away.  However, this is less common, as minorities are often used in a negative context by many.  Slightly different is the use of the term to refer to the equal rights or equal presence of minorities in a particular part or effect of society.  Although this does not refer negatively to minorities in a direct manner, some negative stereotypes are often found in these distinctions.

Discrimination is the most overtly negative of the three terms.  It is also not able to be used in a positive connotation, as discrimination involves treatment based on the class of someone.  Discrimination can take quite negative effects, as it is often the motive behind slander, violence, and other negative endeavors in society.  It remains a dangerous sociological force in the world, in larger and smaller contexts.