Socialization
Skylar Smith
How Socialization Has Affected Me
Socialization is a continuous process where individuals acquire a personal identity. Through this process we learn norms, values, behaviors and social skills in order to help shape who we are. How we act, how we treat others, what kind of friends we choose, has all affected how I am socialized. I have been socialized by society and the media to be physical as a man, to not show any emotions, and that being in a dominant race and having “white privilege” greatly influences how I see the world.
Being physical as a man has greatly influenced my socialization. Society expects men to show a strong and tough exterior. Our media adds to these pressures by reinforcing and rewarding men for being tough. When I see a television advertisement or commercial of men roughhousing, it can be a message to me that says it is not only ok, but it is expected. Roughhousing and being physical is what it takes to be a man. In a video called “A Call To Men”, the narrator, Tony Porter says “We have to break free from the Man Box”. The “Man Box” is a list of ways men should act. For example, to be a man you can not show weakness or fear, you have to be a protector, be heterosexual, be tough, athletic, and have strength and courage. Some of these stereotypes are good for our culture, and some are not. If we have a better understanding of these expectations and pressures we can more clearly reflect and break free of these negative and unhealthy stereotypes.
Men who show emotions are looked down upon in our culture. Men should not cry, whine, or show fear, only anger is accepted according to stereotypes in our society. When watching the video, “A Call To Men” about the “Man Box” it talks about this subject of men not showing any emotions. You are only allowed to show anger. When you show emotions it is considered being weak and acting like a woman. The narrator also states don’t “act like a man”. Just be yourself. That’s all that matters. Even though some men inside feel like they’re going to cry, they feel like they can't because they would be perceived as weak men. When men truly understand who they are, they will be able to show all their emotions and break free from the stereotypes.
Being in a dominant race under “white privilege” has also had a great influence on my socialization. White privilege suggests that white people are superior to black people. This is a biased and prejudicial view that must be changed. In the video, “A Girl Like Me”, It has been proven that African Americans still think that white people are treated with more respect. The narrator states that “15 out of 21 kids prefered the white doll over the black doll.” Racism seems so foolish. All races should be treated equal and with respect, black, brown or white, there is no difference! People need to understand that in this world skin color does not influence character. Character has no color. In the United States we have the first black president, yet we are still struggling to keep people from making fun and treating black people with disrespect.
In conclusion being physical as a man is important but it isn’t everything. Just because a man cries or shows other emotions other than anger, doesn’t mean we have to make him feel worse or treat him differently than others. I feel that everybody should have a better understanding of what “white privilege” is today. If they do, they might be more conscious of what they say and how they treat other races. Weather you are a man, woman, black or white, tall or short, big or small, we are all the same. There’s no difference, treat everybody with respect! My hope one day is that we will be able to break free of these stereotypes and become more understanding and unified as a human race.
My mask explains my identity by the symbols on it. One of the symbols are the guitar strings and the tuning pegs because music is a big part of my life. I wanted to include music because it expresses my emotions as a man along with breaking free from the stereotypes of the “Man Box”. Another symbol is a faint picture of me climbing. I love climbing and will never stop! I have also included a blood streak which indicates how men are tough. Climbing, I would consider a rough sport. There are always scrapes, cuts, rope burns, sprained ankles, and sometimes broken bones from this. I wanted to include climbing because it symbolized how I am a part of the “Man Box”. I have also painted half the mask white and half of the mask black. The black and white shows a separation between races. I made a sad face on the black side and a happy face on the white side. Historically, African Americans have been portrayed as less important than white people and that makes them sad. White people have had “white privilege” and that makes them happy because they don’t have to worry about being made fun of because of their race. For the final symbol I used quotations from the “Man Box” on my mask. It is a big part of my essay, and it shows a lot of characteristics of a man.
How Socialization Has Affected Me
Socialization is a continuous process where individuals acquire a personal identity. Through this process we learn norms, values, behaviors and social skills in order to help shape who we are. How we act, how we treat others, what kind of friends we choose, has all affected how I am socialized. I have been socialized by society and the media to be physical as a man, to not show any emotions, and that being in a dominant race and having “white privilege” greatly influences how I see the world.
Being physical as a man has greatly influenced my socialization. Society expects men to show a strong and tough exterior. Our media adds to these pressures by reinforcing and rewarding men for being tough. When I see a television advertisement or commercial of men roughhousing, it can be a message to me that says it is not only ok, but it is expected. Roughhousing and being physical is what it takes to be a man. In a video called “A Call To Men”, the narrator, Tony Porter says “We have to break free from the Man Box”. The “Man Box” is a list of ways men should act. For example, to be a man you can not show weakness or fear, you have to be a protector, be heterosexual, be tough, athletic, and have strength and courage. Some of these stereotypes are good for our culture, and some are not. If we have a better understanding of these expectations and pressures we can more clearly reflect and break free of these negative and unhealthy stereotypes.
Men who show emotions are looked down upon in our culture. Men should not cry, whine, or show fear, only anger is accepted according to stereotypes in our society. When watching the video, “A Call To Men” about the “Man Box” it talks about this subject of men not showing any emotions. You are only allowed to show anger. When you show emotions it is considered being weak and acting like a woman. The narrator also states don’t “act like a man”. Just be yourself. That’s all that matters. Even though some men inside feel like they’re going to cry, they feel like they can't because they would be perceived as weak men. When men truly understand who they are, they will be able to show all their emotions and break free from the stereotypes.
Being in a dominant race under “white privilege” has also had a great influence on my socialization. White privilege suggests that white people are superior to black people. This is a biased and prejudicial view that must be changed. In the video, “A Girl Like Me”, It has been proven that African Americans still think that white people are treated with more respect. The narrator states that “15 out of 21 kids prefered the white doll over the black doll.” Racism seems so foolish. All races should be treated equal and with respect, black, brown or white, there is no difference! People need to understand that in this world skin color does not influence character. Character has no color. In the United States we have the first black president, yet we are still struggling to keep people from making fun and treating black people with disrespect.
In conclusion being physical as a man is important but it isn’t everything. Just because a man cries or shows other emotions other than anger, doesn’t mean we have to make him feel worse or treat him differently than others. I feel that everybody should have a better understanding of what “white privilege” is today. If they do, they might be more conscious of what they say and how they treat other races. Weather you are a man, woman, black or white, tall or short, big or small, we are all the same. There’s no difference, treat everybody with respect! My hope one day is that we will be able to break free of these stereotypes and become more understanding and unified as a human race.
My mask explains my identity by the symbols on it. One of the symbols are the guitar strings and the tuning pegs because music is a big part of my life. I wanted to include music because it expresses my emotions as a man along with breaking free from the stereotypes of the “Man Box”. Another symbol is a faint picture of me climbing. I love climbing and will never stop! I have also included a blood streak which indicates how men are tough. Climbing, I would consider a rough sport. There are always scrapes, cuts, rope burns, sprained ankles, and sometimes broken bones from this. I wanted to include climbing because it symbolized how I am a part of the “Man Box”. I have also painted half the mask white and half of the mask black. The black and white shows a separation between races. I made a sad face on the black side and a happy face on the white side. Historically, African Americans have been portrayed as less important than white people and that makes them sad. White people have had “white privilege” and that makes them happy because they don’t have to worry about being made fun of because of their race. For the final symbol I used quotations from the “Man Box” on my mask. It is a big part of my essay, and it shows a lot of characteristics of a man.
SOCIALIZATION PROJECT REFLECTION QUESTIONS
SKYLAR SMITH
1. WHY ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT YOUR MASK? WHY?
The part of the mask I am most proud of are the guitar strings that go through the mouth of the mask. It has a cool look to it and I am proud of how it turned out. The guitar strings and the tuning pegs represent that I love to play guitar. I can openly express my emotions when I am playing guitar, and I can break free of the man box with this symbol on my mask. I also love the picture of me climbing on the left side of the mask. It defines that I love to climb and I will never stop! Climbing is a rough sport and there are a lot of injuries. The picture of me climbing represents that I am also part of the man box.
2. QUOTE THE SECTION OF YOUR ESSAY THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND DESCRIBE, IN DETAIL, WHY YOU ARE PROUD OT IT.
The quote that I made in my essay that I really like is saying “Just be yourself. That’s all that matters.” I like this quote because this is basically saying that we have to break free from the stereotypes in this world. It doesn’t matter how you act. We are all human beings. Whats the difference? The world has just been socialized to judge other people if they are different then others.
3. WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER FROM THIS PROJECT? WHY?
I will always remember how Mark broke my mask even though it was my fault for letting him trying to cut the mouth open. I think it has a distinct look to it. I am actually satisfied about this part of the mask. Not proud that we broke it but how the result came out. Another part of this project I will remember is basically expressing who I am in my essay. It made me reflect on who I truly am and how I will try to break the stereotypes in this world. If people truly understand who they are inside they will break the stereotypes.
4. WHICH HABIT OF HEART AND MIND DO YOU NEED TO WORK ON IN YOUR NEXT PROJECT TO GET BETTER AT PROJECT BASED LEARNING? WHY DO YOU NEED TO IMPROVE AND HOW THAT HABIT OF HEART AND MIND WILL HELP YOU?
The habit of heart and mind I think I need to work on is refinement. I chose refinement because I feel that I needed maybe a little bit more time. If I was given more time, I would’ve not rushed this project. I don’t think I took much time refining the bumps in the mask. It is a little rough if you feel the mask. I think I just rushed it in the beginning and should’ve been more patient with the beginning steps. I think that refinement is key to getting good grades in school and being successful in life.
SKYLAR SMITH
1. WHY ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT YOUR MASK? WHY?
The part of the mask I am most proud of are the guitar strings that go through the mouth of the mask. It has a cool look to it and I am proud of how it turned out. The guitar strings and the tuning pegs represent that I love to play guitar. I can openly express my emotions when I am playing guitar, and I can break free of the man box with this symbol on my mask. I also love the picture of me climbing on the left side of the mask. It defines that I love to climb and I will never stop! Climbing is a rough sport and there are a lot of injuries. The picture of me climbing represents that I am also part of the man box.
2. QUOTE THE SECTION OF YOUR ESSAY THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND DESCRIBE, IN DETAIL, WHY YOU ARE PROUD OT IT.
The quote that I made in my essay that I really like is saying “Just be yourself. That’s all that matters.” I like this quote because this is basically saying that we have to break free from the stereotypes in this world. It doesn’t matter how you act. We are all human beings. Whats the difference? The world has just been socialized to judge other people if they are different then others.
3. WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER FROM THIS PROJECT? WHY?
I will always remember how Mark broke my mask even though it was my fault for letting him trying to cut the mouth open. I think it has a distinct look to it. I am actually satisfied about this part of the mask. Not proud that we broke it but how the result came out. Another part of this project I will remember is basically expressing who I am in my essay. It made me reflect on who I truly am and how I will try to break the stereotypes in this world. If people truly understand who they are inside they will break the stereotypes.
4. WHICH HABIT OF HEART AND MIND DO YOU NEED TO WORK ON IN YOUR NEXT PROJECT TO GET BETTER AT PROJECT BASED LEARNING? WHY DO YOU NEED TO IMPROVE AND HOW THAT HABIT OF HEART AND MIND WILL HELP YOU?
The habit of heart and mind I think I need to work on is refinement. I chose refinement because I feel that I needed maybe a little bit more time. If I was given more time, I would’ve not rushed this project. I don’t think I took much time refining the bumps in the mask. It is a little rough if you feel the mask. I think I just rushed it in the beginning and should’ve been more patient with the beginning steps. I think that refinement is key to getting good grades in school and being successful in life.