Introduction
The modern world for each person is filled with social life, interaction, and constant changes. The causes and consequences of human behavior and culture affect not only the historical formation of our species but also every person’s life, both thousands of years ago and now. However, understanding these mechanisms and processes can be difficult. Thanks to the study of sociology, the scientific investigation of such a complex concept as society becomes possible. Sociology can help in understanding the modern world, and the role of social institutions for the individual and give the necessary ground to the solution of social problems.
Main body
In the last few years, the world has faced significant large-scale historical events that have had an unprecedented impact on society. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the way of life of many people has changed, and lockdowns have led to the connection and association of society, nature, and technology that was previously unimaginable. The most unexpected and surprising thing for me during the pandemic was how society came together. At first, it seemed to me that social distancing and the lack of opportunity to interact with people in the usual way should lead to the fact that people would start to distance themselves from each other, lose connections, and even fight for their survival regardless of others. I expected the same on a global scale because closing borders could lead to the fact that each country would have to deal with catastrophic consequences on its own.
However, in reality, the opposite happened, and people began to unite to help each other. This was manifested both on a local scale, such as the contactless delivery of food kits by volunteers to the most vulnerable segments of the population, such as the elderly, and a global scale. Governments of different countries and international companies began to join forces to counter the coordinated for a common goal. The study of sociology allowed me to understand that collective trouble gives rise to social solidarity. It brings people together, creating a foundation for physical and emotional support. The realization that official aid is rarely in the right place at the right time in sufficient numbers is giving impetus to civil society (Matthewman & Huppatz, 2020). Sociology, as a field concerned with modern social cohesion and transformation, is ideally positioned to remark on the coronavirus and its far-reaching implications.
An important concept for understanding modern processes in society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become collective consciousness. During the study of sociology, this concept became a discovery for me. Emile Durkheim defined it as a set of public beliefs, morals, and views of society (Griffiths et al., 2015). Its practical application is related to the understanding of modern processes in society. Collective consciousness provides people with a sense of belonging and identity, as well as shapes their behavior. Wearing masks and observing coronavirus restrictions quickly became a new norm society accepted, a new component of collective consciousness. Those people who refused to adhere to these new generally accepted conditions faced shaming, ridicule, and even isolation; that is, they received punishment from society in a milder form. The same thing happened to those people who refused to be vaccinated. Although this phenomenon has negative consequences for individual members of society, its overall impact in the context of the COVID crisis seems to me positive since, for the first time in many years, it was related to the survival and well-being of mankind.
One of the key areas of life on which the study of sociology shed light for me was the importance of media and technology in society. They broaden social horizons while also altering the way people view and interact with one another (Griffiths et al., 2015). I felt the need to use technology more, especially social networks, during the pandemic, and from studying sociology, I understood what it is all about and how it affects society. Technological stratification played an important role during the pandemic. The coronavirus crisis has emphasized the intricate ways in which society and technology interact, urging more openness to the complex interactions between humans and non-humans.
It is difficult to comprehend the crisis’ experience and long-term implications for society without considering the acceleration of digitalization and digital divides. Where accessible, social digitality, and particularly social media, played an important role in the experience and reaction to the pandemic (Zinn, 2021). Social media played an important role in crisis management during the quarantine, serving as a source of valuable information and maintaining contact with friends and relatives. People shared the experience of how they adapted to new conditions and supported each other, making it easier to adapt to changes. However, people who did not have access to such information, such as the elderly, found themselves in a more difficult situation; they felt even more separated from society. The concept of the knowledge gap – the gap in information that builds as groups grow up without access to technology also contributed to this (Griffiths et al., 2015). However, some young people evaluated the social constraints they were previously subjected to and appreciated having more time for themselves. As a result, technology can help people who create new methods to incorporate digital media into their lives to reject unwelcome societal expectations.
The study of sociology allows seeing the world from the point of view of other people and realize the relationship not only with the global society but also to better understand closer and smaller communities and various institutions. The study of the institution of marriage and family has become the most valuable and productive for me. Both of these institutions have undergone a major metamorphosis in recent decades. The traditional concept of a family consisting of a husband, wife, and two children has been the model of the traditional family for a long time (Griffiths et al., 2015). Now families can be very different, consisting of same-sex people who do not set as their goal the birth and upbringing of children, and not enter into a legal marriage (Few‐Demo & Allen, 2020). However, the study of sociology makes it possible to understand that even such non-standard families perform their social functions. Families provide for each other’s physical, emotional, and social well-being (Griffiths et al., 2015). Understanding this allowed me to take a broader look at these institutions and rethink their role in my future life. It prepared me for life in a diverse and integrated world.
Conclusion
To conclude, the study of sociology allowed me to understand such a complicated notion of society better. It helped me understand why people acted the way they did during the pandemic and analyze my actions and experiences through the prism of this. It also became possible to assess the role of technology in a social context, especially in crises. Sociology helped me to better understand myself as a part of many social groups and understand how I can influence them and how they influence me. Many processes in society affect every person’s life, and the scientific understanding that sociology provides helps to be better prepared for life in a diverse world. It not only gives a practical understanding of the mechanisms of society but also teaches how to organize thinking to better understand myself and other people in the context of one whole.
References
Few‐Demo, A. L., & Allen, K. R. (2020). Gender, feminist, and intersectional perspectives on families: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 326-345. Web.
Griffiths, H., Strayer, E., Keiths, N.J., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Sadler, T., Vyain, S., Bryan, H., & Jones, F. (2015). Introduction to Sociology (2nd ed.). 12th Media Services.
Matthewman, S., & Huppatz, K. (2020). A sociology of Covid-19. Journal of Sociology, 56(4), 675-683. Web.
Zinn, J. O. (2021). Conclusions: Towards a sociology of pandemics and beyond. Current Sociology, 69(4), 603-617. Web.