Critical Analysis of My Social Structure

Introduction

The analysis of a social structure is necessary because it defines the interaction of a person in society. In spite of the incompatibilities of the societal values, knowledge of peoples' social structure creates a stable and peaceful community. As an individual, I need to analyze my social structure as a way of contributing to a peaceful and stable society. As seen in this paper, I will examine my social structure based on the five components that include culture, social status, social class, roles, and groups as a way of understanding my place in enhancing peace and stability in the society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Culture

I grew up in Malay culture, but I have also ever lived in a society that has a different culture from mine. I was exposed to a new culture while working in Singapore as a company engineer. I am currently in the US, and the culture here differs from the Malay one. One good example that shows how culture has influenced my perception, behaviors, and values was during my friend's wedding (Heslin 13). I currently like dressing in Malay dress code as well as eating foods associated with my culture.

Social Class

My social class is a middle class which comprises of individuals having professional careers. There are some examples in life which shows how social class influences my current perception of behaviors, values, and attitudes (Mayes 44). One example was when I was working as a factory engineer in Singapore. I lived as a middle-class individual. My salary was of an individual offering professional services to a company. I currently perceive life from an economic end as I could afford basic needs as a middle-class individual.

Social Status

As an Individual, I have both the ascribed and archived statuses. Firstly, the three ascribed statuses that I have include being a male, a Malaysian, and a first-born in the family. My achieved statuses, on the other hand, include being an engineer, a bachelor's student, and a member of the Malaysian students association (Spencer 41). Some listed statuses were not on my list five years ago; these include being a bachelor's student and having a membership of the Malaysian students association. From the list, my most prestigious status is being a male while the least one is having a membership of the Malaysian student association. My list of statuses has some inconsistencies. Inconsistency is in being an engineer by profession which has an accord as a high expert status but at the same time being a student is a low status (Heslin 15). Of the listed statuses, my master status is being a student because as per now, I have identified myself as a student pursuing a bachelor's degree.

There are some examples in life showing how status has influenced my current values, perception, and behaviors. One example was when my status as an engineer affected my value, practices, and attitude (Mayes 42). It was during a discussion with my colleagues on the effects of technology in the world today. Like any other engineer, I expressed myself as a mathematics and science expert by using scientific and mathematical terms, knowledge, and techniques. The other example when status defined my behaviors concerns the status of being a student (Reinertsen and Henslin 78). I had attended a seminar, and like any other student, I was very attentive in listening to the presenters. At some time I could raise my hand and ask the presenter questions for clarity. Though it was not in a class setting, I behaved like a student following the lectures of a professor. As a result, these two examples indicate that statuses influence my current values, behaviors, and perceptions.

Roles

My statuses have an accompaniment of their respective roles. Beginning with the ascribed statuses, first, being a male has the task of taking care of the family. I am expected to take care of the family and be a responsible father and husband in life (Spencer 42). The second role concerns the status of being a student. As a bachelor's student, I have a duty of adhering to the college rules and regulation in matters like attending classes and completing assignments on time. The status of being a first-born, on the other hand, has the role of acting as a role model to my siblings. I am supposed to behave and act in an exemplary manner to be a good example to my siblings. Being a Malaysian as my third ascribed status has the role of following the law and regulations set by the Malaysian government. The other task for accomplishment as a Malaysian is living following its culture (Heslin 13). Although I gained ascribed statuses naturally, I am supposed to accomplish their roles accordingly.

On the other hand, my archived statuses also have specific roles. First, as a student, I also have the responsibility of seeking academic assistance from the professors and instructors to improve my grade. Secondly, the status of being an engineer has the role of the application of mathematical and scientific techniques, knowledge, and skills in solving issues affecting people in society. As an engineer, I also have the role of innovation and invention in enhancing operations in organizations. The status of being a member of the Malaysian student association as a third achieved status has the task of adhering to the association's rules and regulations (Mayes 45). I am also expected to represent the association by acting and behaving as per the set values and morals.

Groups

I have been part of some groups; for instance, I was part of the staff of a company I was working with an engineer in Singapore. The other group I have been part of is being a member of the Malaysian student association. Being part of groups has affected my current behaviors, perceptions, and values (Reinertsen and Henslin 78). A good example was when I was a staff in a company; I gained the behavior of appreciating teamwork and collaboration. I currently believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration in the effective achievement of objectives and goals. The other example of how being part of groups has affected my current perceptions, belief, and value is when I joined the Malaysian student association. I started to behave as a representative of a group (Spencer 40). I currently act as an individual representing a particular group in society. Although I chose to have achieved statuses, I am obliged to accomplish their roles.

Conclusion

Conclusively, of the five components of my social structure analyzed above, culture and group have the most impact on my current behaviors, perceptions, and values. First, culture has the most influence because I grew up and was rooted in the Malay culture. I grew up in a culture where people adhere to specific kind of worship, dressing, and interaction. In spite of encountering other cultures in different places, I still adhere to the Malay culture. Group, on the other hand, mostly influence the way I behave and perceive life because I believe in teamwork and collaboration. I like working in groups because they lead to the efficient achievement of goals and objectives through sharing of experience, expertise, talents, skills, and knowledge.

Works Cited

Heslin, James. Amazon.Com, 2019, https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Sociology-Down-Earth-Approach/dp/0205905501.

Mayes, Patricia. Language, Social Structure, And Culture. J. Benjamins Pub., 2016.

Reinertsen, Priscilla, and J. M. Henslin. "Essentials Of Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach". Teaching Sociology, vol 25, no. 1, 2017, p. 78. SAGE Publications, doi:10.2307/1319114.

Spencer, Herbert. Principles of sociology. University Of Chicago Press, 2015.