GRSJ224/socialchange

In our online GRSJ 224 class, we have weekly discussions on topics of social principles. The topic that I have decided to focus on is social change. I believe that social change is a large, reoccurring topic that involves alterations, and transformations of subject matter. This theme was very common throughout our weekly discussion groups, which is why I chose to write on it.

Firstly, what is social change?

The term social change is used as a sign of changes that is taken place in human interactions and interrelations. “Social change refers to any significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms.”(Cliff Notes.)

There isn’t a specific reason for why social change occurs, but there are several reasons depending on the people. Most common reasons for why social change occurs are from inequality and bad economy. These problems don’t just come up by themselves but are caused by factors such as “bad living and working conditions, social classes, and inflation etc.”(Cliff Notes.) Times when social change was very visible in the world was in the industrial revolution and World War one.(Sociology Guide.) Social groups like "Native Americans and African Americans"(Chaloux, Cailin) were examples of changes in those time periods.

African Americans

For African Americans, they were given the right to serve in the military, but still faced inequality by being mistreated while serving, compared to the other soldiers who served. In 1913 the 369th Infantry Regiment came about. This was singly the only possibility that was put in place for “blacks to prove themselves and right against the discrimination, since it was the only all black regiment.” (Chaloux, Cailin) The end goal of the regiment was to gain respect from the whites’ but it was not effective enough to be successful.

Native Americans

Native Americans were kept from being apart of the war. There was around “10,000 Native Americans who actually ended up serving in the war.” (Chaloux, Cailin) From the 10,000 who served, there were Native Americans who were recognized and awarded the Medal of Honor for the fight they put up. When it was time for the draft to start, “Native American men had to sign up for it, but most weren’t actually considered citizens. Mainly, whether or not they were considered citizens relied upon whether or not they were “competent”."(Chaloux, Cailin)

Feminism

A huge social change that happened in the 19th and 20th century was the feminism movement. This is a well-discussed social movement that is discussed in many circumstances, and has been a topic of discussion with many learners. I have been in plenty of classes that focus around the feminism movement, and it keeps becoming a better known subject to everyone. The feminism movement was a change of womens rights. They were “given their right to vote, education rights, better working condition, and the removal of gender double standards was known as first wave feminism.” (Chaloux, Cailin) This first wave movement “involved women from all walks of life, most had husbands, sons or brothers fighting in the war and they wanted to be able to help them home in any way they could.” (Chaloux, Cailin)

Family Dynamic

Another problem that widely spread this social change was the family dynamic that caused problems with the children. Family dynamic became very different “with American soldiers going to war and women taking many of their jobs”. (Chaloux, Cailin) The parents did not display any care, attention or appreciation for their children. This caused the children to miss the upbringing of the family beliefs and traditions, which brought about this change in the younger generations. “Their attachments was disrupted in times of war through; loss of parents, parents preoccupation in protecting the family and emotional unavailability of depressed or distracted parents.” (Chaloux, Cailin) The education systems and curriculum were also changed “with government pamphlets and required patriotism”(Chaloux, Cailin) in World War one.

Social Class

Social change lead to change in social class as well. Different classes were given different roles to take on. Class changes such as the “working class living standards improved: life expectancy increased and infant mortality decreased. Wages increases because of a higher work demand, since most workers were off in the war, which also included more jobs for women. Different social classes were seen as equals, and progressive taxation was enforced which lead to rich being taxed more than the poor”. (Chaloux, Cailin) These lead individuals to having more opportunity and equality in their day-to-day living.

Social change is displayed as both good and bad for certain people. Better, for the ones who suffered the inequality and lack of rights, and bad for the ones who are affected and struggle with the out come of the social changes.

References:

>Chaloux, Cailin. "Social Changes During World War I." Prezi.com. Prezi Inc., 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.

>Cliff Notes. "Social Change Defined." Social Change Defined. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.

> "Social Change." Sociologyguide.com. Sociology Guide, 2017. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.