Understanding the Idea of Milieu, Essay Example

C. Wright Mills presented the concept of sociological imagination. This concept includes three main themes: the idea of milieu, a connection between social history and a person’s biography, and that personal struggles are directly linked to public issues in society. To illustrate the concept, these three themes will be applied to a case study of Alex, a student at Northampton Community College born in 1987. Alex moved with his family from Brooklyn, NY to Pennsylvania at the age of 16. In addition to his full-time college enrollment, Alex works part-time to support himself. He receives no financial support and little emotional support from his family. 

It would be valuable for Alex to understand the idea of milieu. The idea of milieu is that public issues of social structure directly impact private issues of personal lives and relationships. If Alex understands this, he will be able to connect the dots between his personal struggles and the corresponding public issues. Alex can then better put his emotions into focus and categorize his needs and wants. Understanding the idea of milieu will help Alex to prioritize his goals in relation to social issues, keep his personal roadblocks in proper perspective, and better succeed at his mission in life.

The social history of 1987 and the 1980s can tell us something about Alex’s general biography. Social events at and around the time Alex was born will shape the world he grows up in and affect his own personal worldview. The 1980s were a time of political and social shifting. 1987 was the year that Reagan and Gorbachev met in Washington; two years later in 1989 the protest and slaughter in Tiananmen Square took place. (MultiEducator Inc) The first of these events had society preparing to move forward, ready to accept change and a fresh start. The second of these events had individuals questioning the role of government and looking at our own a little closer. 1987 was also the year the movies Dirty Dancing and La Bamba premiered. (MultiEducator Inc) Both of these movies featured people of low socioeconomic standing attempting to interact romantically with people of higher socioeconomic standing. The movies reflected the off-screen struggles of those trying to improve their quality of life in the real world, such as Alex in trying to earn his degree.  

For the third theme of sociological imagination, we can choose two public issues and link them to specific personal struggles Alex is facing in his everyday life. The first public issue concerns socioeconomic status. Because Alex’s family is not well-off, Alex must work in order to support himself. The time Alex spends working at the grocery store leaves less time to spend on his studies. This makes it that much harder for Alex to excel, even to pass, his classes. It jeopardizes his goal of obtaining a college degree, and through the degree, raising his socioeconomic status with a higher paying career. Obtaining the degree would be easier without the financial stress he faces. The second public issue that affects Alex’s everyday life is the lack of importance placed on education within his family. Since Alex’s parents did not graduate from college, Alex obtaining a degree may not be a high priority for his parents. In families like Alex’s a “we didn’t need one, why should you” attitude can sometimes be present. When faced with the everyday costs of living, educational activities are likely to take a backseat. Alex’s parents may not understand when Alex chooses school over work, giving a lack of support to Alex and even causing him guilt over the financial situation at home. 

Works Cited

MultiEducator Inc. Major Events of 1987. 2008. 26 August 2010 <http://www.historycentral.com/20th/1987.html>.