A Look At My World Through The Sociological Lens

Alexandra Williams
1,169 words total































This paper will outline the socio-economic differences and privileges of my own life
compared to that of others, as well as the enhancements and constraints those privileges
have allowed me. By comparing my own data and life experience I am able to exercise my
sociological imagination in ways that simply learning the material cant. These examples
provide a true representation of the sociological lens used in every day life.
Community Survey Data, 2007-2011

Using data obtained from the American Community Survey I was able to compare
statistics from my hometown such as; income, percent of those in poverty, average value of
homes, education levels, and even the primary language used within the home against
other states and national averages. The two other states chosen to compare were
Arlington, Virginia and McAllen, Texas. Arlington was chosen as an example of a well off
community, and McAllen was chosen as an example of a state with low income and
education levels, as well as high levels of poverty. These two examples help us outline and
understand where our own hometown stands in comparison.
National
Averages
Loveland,
Colorado
Arlington,
Virginia
McAllen, Texas
Percent living
below poverty
line
14.3% 9.4% 7.1% 27,6%
% Bachelors
degree or higher
28.2% 33.1% 70.7% 27.8%
Median home
value
$186,200 $212,200 $575,600 $105.300
Median
household
income
$52,762 $54,763 $99,651 $39,193
% Households
with primary
language other
than English
20.3% 8.0% 29.1% 78.9%
For me, the statistics from the survey opened my eyes to the community I was
raised in. Surprisingly, my results did not exactly reflect the bubble I thought I lived in, in
Loveland, Colorado. When I think of my hometown, I always remember how our rival high
school used to talk about us as the rich kids with the designer jeans and brand new cars.
But, as you can see from the table, statistics such as median home value and median
household income are a long stretch away from well off towns such as Arlington, Virginia
and in fact closer to that of McAllen, Texas. Though, Lovelands percentage of those living
under the poverty rate is relatively close to that of Arlington. So, it has become apparent to
me that my hometown is a little different that just a high income, low poverty or low
income, high poverty town. It seems as though we have a relatively good mixture of socio-
economic status in Loveland, Colorado.
The reason why I chose to incorporate the statistic of how many homes are
primarily English speaking, was due to my interest in education and access to education in
my hometown. Because English is the primary language, used in 92% of homes, I started to
realize that every one I knew in high school that was enrolled in ESL (English Second
Language) programs did not attend post secondary schooling. Because 92% percent of
those in my hometown speak primarily English, our schools are tailored to teach and breed
success in that language. Because I was brought up in a family that speaks English, I am set
up for success in my education, therefore providing me with opportunities for post-
secondary schooling, eventually leading to a high income job. Because only 8% of those in
my hometown speak a language other than English, our school systems are subject to racial
inequality due to the difference in opportunities simply because of their language of origin.
With that being said, it is easier to understand how these statistics aided in my
enhancements and constraints growing up in such an environment. For example, I am a
white female that drives a relatively expensive car. I have never been stopped, not even
driving around at four in the morning at the age of sixteen. On the opposite side of the
spectrum, my friend Taylor is a black male who drives a relatively inexpensive and beaten
up car. Taylor has been pulled over ten times. He has received over three tickets for petty
offenses such as going five over the speed limit, and has had himself and his car searched.
After having our licenses for almost four years now, I still have not even been warned, and I
can tell you that I speed at some point every day, and see a cop and at some point every
day. This example surfaced to my attention during a lecture in class about the
overrepresentation of African-Americans and Hispanics that are incarcerated (Lecture
notes, 4/11). My friend Taylor and I are the same age, we get the same grades, but because
my family has a higher income and are able to provide me with a much more expensive car
than his, authorities havent stopped me once while he continues to be questioned
sometimes based on only presumptions. This brings up McIntyres concept of social
stratification. This idea says that people in higher-ranking groups tend to receive larger
shares of valued social stuff such as wealth, power, and respect (McIntyre, p. 196)
Therefore, because my assets (my car) reflect that I belong to higher-ranking group, I
receive respect and hold power over those who do not reflect the same socio-economic
status as myself.
In a document shown in class, The One Percent, Jaime Johnson (of the Johnson and
Johnson family) explores social class inequality and more specifically, how our social class
arrangements are problematic (Video). During the documentary Jamie Johnson talks about
how the wealthy always want to attain more means of wealth instead of letting it spread
throughout society (Video). This was an ah-ha moment for me. My very best friend is part
of one of the wealthiest families in our town. With that said, my best friends parents would
not have to work a day in their lives if they didnt want to. Yet, both of her parents hold job
with over six figure incomes and are always striving for new ways to earn a higher
paycheck, and save money as well. This helped me understand that not only are the rich
always striving to be richer, but because of social stratification they are able to obtain even
more wealth due to their power and place in society (McIntyre, p. 196).
Another source of course material, Invisible Inequality by Annette Lareau points out
the institution of family and depicts forms of social inequality in family life. Lareau seeks to
prove that there is a distinction and difference in parenting when comparing social class
(Ferguson p. 613). This helped remind me of the resources I was provided with from my
parents, due to their occupation and income. Because my father brought in such a high
income, my mother was able to work few hours, which then allowed her to pick me up from
school every single day. This then turned into her watching me after school, making sure
my homework was always done, that I was involved in extracurricular activities, and that I
wasnt off getting into trouble. This provided a safety net, if you will, for me growing up.
Because my mother was able to be with me constantly, instead of at work, I earned better
grades, I was able to interact with her on a daily basis, she was always aware of what I was
doing, and I was enrolled in opportunities that others were never able to obtain. Therefore,
our socio-economic status molded the environment I grew up in, as well as the education
and opportunities I received.