To develop a comprehensive and detailed sociological portrait, it is necessary to determine the elements and concepts according to which this portrait can be organized. I am inclined to focus on the aspects which I discuss as important to influence my image and life as a social actor and a member of the certain community.
From this point, I can state that my sociological portrait is based on such aspects as gender, social statuses, roles, family status and roles, culture and religion, education, and job experience; furthermore, the idea of socialization is also important to be discussed with references to my experience.
The main feature which determines my sociological portrait is gender, and this aspect is complex because it is associated with my psychological portrait and biological nature. Sociologists are inclined to state that the gender influences the person’s social roles, family roles, job history, and social status (Grusec, 2011, p. 243).
Being a female who served for the Navy and developed the car restoration business, I can state that the aspect of gender did not limit my social life, but I experienced some tension associated with the public’s vision of a woman who can perform unexpected social roles. Thus, I observed many stereotypes associated with the gender issue.
That is why, I can conclude that the issue of gender is based on many biases related to the US society; performing the roles unusual for women, I contributed to breaking some social stereotypes. In this case, my socialization process is determined with my approach to role-taking because I often accept the socially unexpected roles.
Social statuses play an important role for persons to develop their self-vision and self-esteem (Gershuny & Bittman, 2005, p. 657). My current social status can be described with references to my family’s annual income, my education, occupation, and family status. Thus, I can describe myself as belonging to the middle class because of having the capital a result of my business operations, pursuing the degree in psychology, and working in the rehabilitation center.
At this stage, it is necessary to refer to my social roles associated with the social status. During my life, I performed the roles of a woman, daughter, member of the Navy staff, and businesswoman. My current roles are of a wife, mother, student, and counselor. Researchers also develop the concept of the ‘master status’ (Andersen & Taylor, 2007, p. 114). I can discuss my role of a mother as the ‘master status’ because I have four children who need my care and attention that is why the perfect performance related to this role is my priority.
Therefore, the aspect of the family is one of determinants in my sociological portrait. In my family, the principles of the gender equity and cooperation work as significant ones. That is why, I can perform as a mother, wife, and daughter without ignoring any aspects associated with this or that role. I was brought up by my mother, but we lived as the blended family, including several generations. Thus, I had the opportunity to develop the idea of social interactions within the family.
From this point, I focused on the family values as prioritized. Today, I pay much attention to my children’s upbringing and to creating the positive atmosphere in my family. I can state that the example of mother’s family influenced my vision of the family’s values and priorities. The idea is closely associated with the impact of culture and religion on my sociological portrait. Thus, being a Roman Catholic, I am inclined to combine the family values and traditions with the religious ones.
Nevertheless, my life can also be described in terms associated with education and job experience. Education plays a significant role in determining the person’s social status (Andersen & Taylor, 2007; Manza, Arum, & Haney, 2012).
I decided to receive the degree in psychology in order to work as a professional in the rehabilitation center and to specialize in the field of intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, I plan to work for the Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow program in order to assist wounded warriors as a psychologist. From this perspective, education is necessary for me to realize my career ambitions and perform social roles.
Education can be discussed as the influential aspect in its connection with the job experience because these factors are closely connected with the concepts of the people’s social status and belonging to the definite social class (Aries & Seider, 2007, p. 137). I have the diverse job experience related to my service for the Navy, working to develop the warehouse and car restoration business, and counseling in the rehabilitation center. This experience is important to affect my social status in relation to the family’s income and performed roles.
In spite of the fact that I concentrate on the role of a mother, the career is also important for me because it is the way to perform within the community as the socially influential actor. That is why, I am oriented to receiving the good education and working in the Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow program. From this point, I refer to such aspects education and job experience as the means to perform the roles which I discuss as socially significant.
Thus, my sociological portrait depends on the aspects of my life as the social actor who performs in the spheres of family, education, and work. The specific features in my portrait are influenced by the connection of social factors which affected my development as a person.
References
Andersen, M., & Taylor, H. (2007). Sociology: Understanding a diverse society. USA: Cengage Learning.
Aries, E., & Seider, M. (2007). The role of social class in the formation of identity: a study of public and elite private college students. Journal of Social Psychology, 147(2), 137-157.
Gershuny, J., & Bittman, M. (2005). Exit, voice and suffering: Do couples adapt to changing employment patterns? Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(1), 656-665.
Grusec, J. (2011). Socialization processes in the family: social and emotional development. Annual Review of Psychology, 62(1), 243-269.
Manza, J., Arum, R., & Haney, L. (2012). The sociology project: Introducing the sociological imagination. USA: Pearson.