Well, this chapter definitely threw many terms and theories
our way, but there were a few terms and theories that definitely jumped out at me. The
first two terms that caught my attention were agency and structure. Agency and structure are familiar to
me as I have taken university classes in the past that have touched on these
terms; such as Human Geography and The History of Canadian Immigration. These
terms are helpful as they put things into perspective as to “why” they happen--that is the motivation and hindrances behind decisions and choice (17).
One theory that I found particularly thought-provoking is
the theory of cultural reproduction and the term cultural capital (34). Cultural reproduction refers to the idea where
people of high status and class reward individuals who exhibit traits and
demonstrate knowledge of the upper class (35). Cultural capitol is the “key” to
entry into the exclusive powerful circle. Whenever I read different theories I
always try to think of examples or situations that I can relate them to, and I don’t
know about you, but after reading about this theory I couldn’t help but think
of the book The Great Gatsby. This
book took place in the 1920, during the “Roaring Twenties”, and the book was
full of wealthy characters, both who possessed “old money” (family money and
class handed down from the blood line) and “new money” (earned money and
status), Jay Gatsby was one who had this “new money”, which meant that due to
his cultural capital, that he gained through economic capital as well as social
capital he was able to gain status and entry into the powerful life of the elite
(35).
I really enjoyed reading about Urie Bronfenbrenner’s
ecological systems theory. I strongly believe much of what he has stated. I 100
% agree that the environment in which a child is raised has great impact on
their current and future life in society (43). I think that the five distinct
elements that impact a child’s development, that Bronfenbrenner describes are
all very accurate and interesting, even though I didn’t know what any of the
terms meant (mircosystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem)
until I read this text book. I think that depending on the child different
systems may have more or less of an impact individually, but I think that the
macrosystems would possibly have the largest impact (43). But clearly it is how
the systems work together that truly creates the outcome.
I now want to talk about the term racialization.
Racialization is a term that we as education students and Canadian citizens are
likely all familiar with. The term means the process by which various groups
are differentially organized in the social order (49). This term hits close to
home for me because I grew up never really knowing my true background (and
still kind of don’t). This was due to the fact that my family is too ashamed of
their roots and too absorbed into the ideals set out by society. The “whiteness”
of the culture surrounding us and the negative stigma placed on a specific
culture group in our province, made it easier to “pretend” rather then face reality
(49). Many may think this idea of racialization is an idea of the past, it is still very prevalent in current times
and current society.
Discussion question: Which theory do you find the most relatable or which theory or term brings up an experience or situation that is true or could be true, that is directly related to the theory discussed?
-Jill
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