Understanding Identity and Social Structures

Study Notes

Identity is a link between personal and social aspects
Individuals actively engage with and define their identities
Identity involves being similar to some people and different from others
Individuals experience a tension between controlling their identities and external constraints
Institutions, like the state, are crucial in shaping identities
Identities are constructed socially, but individuals play a role in how they see themselves and how others see them
Identities are fluid and not fixed
Roles – behaviors and patterns of actions are presented within a society

Social class, gender, ethnicity, and place significantly influence identity
Class describes a grouping of individuals based on their common economic interests
Gender describes how society structures behaviors and practices based on perceived gender roles
Social factors are a crucial element in shaping identities

Government policies have always been directed at children and families
Progressiveness Era (1895-1920), New Deal (1932-54) and War on Poverty (1960-74) are marked by specific changes in policies directed at children and families
The role of families in society and child-family policies

Most Americans recognize a three-tiered class structure (upper, middle, lower).
Social class is influenced by factors such as income, occupation, education, and connections.
Variations exist within each tier, leading to the concept of an upper-middle class and a working class.)
The upper class holds significant control over corporations and has vast wealth.
The upper-middle class consists of high-earning professionals with high-status occupations.
The working class comprises individuals with low-level service jobs, or those whose income is below the poverty line.
Social class, in the U.S., is a complex and often controversial concept.

More than 90% of Americans believe in God, and 80% believe in an afterlife.
Religion is a significant factor in many American lives.
The First and Second Great Awakening religious movements significantly shaped American religiosity.
Religious freedom and the role of religion in shaping American identity.
The presence of different faiths and beliefs in America

The Gay and Lesbian Movement's history includes advocacy and activism leading to acceptance and civil rights.
A shift in public opinion and legal recognition took place over the decades.
The movement faced strong opposition and discrimination at various points in time.
Advocacy and events throughout history are important parts of the movement's history.