SOC Readings PDF

A. Textbook Readings- Chapter 7 1. Discuss the social and physical characteristics addictions in reference to (a) alcohol, and (b) illicit drugs. (200-201) ALCOHOL: most destructive substance when abused. Women tend to drink more responsibly then men, and people w...

A. Textbook Readings- Chapter 7 1. Discuss the social and physical characteristics addictions in reference to (a) alcohol, and (b) illicit drugs. (200-201) ALCOHOL: most destructive substance when abused. Women tend to drink more responsibly then men, and people with higher education levels demonstrate less likelihood to drink heavily then men without postsecondary education. Social events like job loss and recession lead to the increase in consumption of alcohol in middle age men demographic DRUGS: Factors like strong social bonds, religious commitment and normative boundries decrease the likelihood of illicit drug abuse. Conditions like unemployment, social isolation, and stress increase likelihood of drug use 2. Discuss the use of drugs among Indigenous Canadians and how colonialism changed the use of psychoactive substances. (201-202) Drug use is much more prevalently seen within Indigenous demographic, owing to trauma surrounding colonialism, residential schools, and sexual abuse. Indigenous people have a history of using psychoactive drugs spiritually, however there’s been an increase in the use of these drugs for escapism instead of for any cultural reasons 3. How did COVID-19 impact drug use in Canada? (202-203) There was a great increase (234%) in alcohol consumption during the pandemic, more specifically lone drinking at home. This was seen most prevalently in the 34-50 year old demographic, with 25% of them reporting their alcohol consumption increasing. Smoking also increased in people who smoked daily before, citing loneliness and isolation as a triggering factor. Peopled were also unable to access rehab facilities during the pandemic 4. Discuss the link between drug use (including alcohol) and crime/violence. (203-204) There is a high correlation between drug/alcohol consumption and criminal behaviour, though its hard to establish causation. 60% of injecting drug users have a history of imprisonment, and 40% of violent crimes were found to be committing following or because of alcohol consumption. Increasing taxes on alcohol lowers alcohol consumption and consequently alcohol related violence; however it had no effect in reducing rape or robbery statistics because these crimes are less correlated to alcohol consumption 5. What are the health consequences of alcohol/drug use? (205) Experts say 5 drinks a day once a month is considered too much, though men are more likely to engage in alcohol overconsumption then women. This could be because women alcohol overconsumption could also have adverse health effects on their unborn children (FASD). Health problems effecting illegal drug users include early deaths, weight load, autoimmune diseases and brain lesions, and those who inject have higher risk of contracting HIV. Drug use also effects mental health, as youth who use drugs more likely to commit suicide. TOBBACCO SMOKING is the lead cause of preventable death in the world, and the leading cause of all cancers. Increases chances of heart problems, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Smoking kills more people yearly then Aids, suicide, homicide, alcohol, illegal drugs, and car crashes combined.  1. What is the difference between mortality and morbidity rates? (185) Mortality rates measure the number of deaths within a population, whereas Morbidity rate measures the extent of disease within a population, and can be measures in its: -INCIDENCE: number of new cases within a population in a given period -PREVALENCE: total number of cases in a population in a given period BOTH mortality and morbidity vary according to social variables like sex/gender/race/social class 2. What is the difference between a mental disorder and a mental illness? Why are these both social problems? (194-195) Mental Disorder: condition characterized by changes in thinking, mood, and behaviour that results in distress or impaired functioning Mental Illness: clinically diagnosed condition in need of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment Both are social issues because they impact the functioning of families, groups, and institutions 3. What is the relationship between mental health, suicide rates, and physical illness among Indigenous youth in Canada? What social factors further complicate this relationship? (196-197 Indigenous youth 5 times more likely to commit suicide, and suicide is highly correlated with depression and other mood disorders. This suicide/mental health problem is indicative of a larger issue of social inequality and disadvantages facing Indigenous people. Like suicide and addiction rates, Indigenous people are also more likely to be affected by degenerative physical diseases; they’re 3000 times more likely to get tuberculosis. B. Article Assignment Review the following article (PDF of article is posted with this Assigned Reading in eclass) and answer the questions below. 1. Research has shown that rates of loneliness follow a ‘U-Shaped distribution’. Explain. (1) While feelings of loneliness can occur at any age, research has shown that rates of loneliness follow a non-linear U-shaped distribution, with the highest levels reported in young (65 years) adults.3 2)Why are older adults at increased risk of experiencing loneliness? Why are elderly women more likely to experience loneliness than men? (1) While predisposing factors differ by life stage, older adults are at increased risk because they are more likely to experience events such as retirement, chronic illness, widowhood and living alone. Women more likely then men because of their longer lifespans (experience widowhood longer), lower incomes, taking on the caregiver role, and their higher tendency to acknowledge loneliness  2. Why is addressing loneliness important? (1-2) Addressing loneliness is important because of its profound impact on health and well-being, including increased risk for premature death, cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia and even suicide. 3. How did the researchers conduct this study? What was the objective? What did they hypothesize? (3) Questions examined the impact of COVID-19 on daily life; loneliness; and the use of digital technologies for social connectivity. We used a single- item, direct measure of loneliness by asking respondents, ‘In the past seven days, which statement best applies?’ (I did not feel lonely; I felt lonely 1 or 2 days; I felt lonely several days; I felt lonely most days; I felt lonely every day) 4. What were the findings of this research? What was the impact of living alone on loneliness? The researchers found that adults’ perceptions and pandemic experiences were associated with loneliness. Explain. (5, and 9-10) Overall, 43.1% of respondents felt lonely at least some of the time (34.8% some of the time and 8.3% always or often).Women were more likely to report feeling lonely than males. Strategies to avoid feeling lonely included connecting with a friend or family member and getting fresh air. 7% described other strategies, such as reading, housework and/or gardening and practising their faith. Most participants frequently spoke with a friend, family member or neighbour, although a small proportion (0.4%) had no connection at all. Many used social networking websites or apps Living alone was associated with loneliness in both women and men; although the association was greater in men We found that older adults’ perceptions and pandemic experiences were also associated with loneliness. Respondents who had a high level of concern for COVID-19, experienced changes to their daily routine and reported no perceived positive effects or ‘silver livings’ from the pandemic had increased odds of loneliness, while receiving offers of support and frequently communicating with family, friends and neighbours were protective What are the researchers’ recommendations for how to address loneliness during COVID? (10) Family physician visits have been suggested as an important opportunity to screen for loneliness during COVID-19. Particular attention is recommended to be paid to patients who are older, live alone or have pre- existing health conditions. Our findings suggest that considering the patient’s sex, if they have sufficient social support and how the pandemic is affecting their daily routines could further assist in identifying at-risk individuals  Describe Marx’s 4 types of alienation. (316-317) ALIENATION FROM THE PRODUCT: Workers do not have control over the goods and services they produce, products owned by capitalist class ALIENATION FROM PROCESS OF PRODUCTION: Workers preform repetitive, monotonous, specialized tasks in factory environment, which results in lack of control and disconnect from the product they’re producing ALIENATION FROM FELLOW WORKERS: Capitalism promotes competition among workers, which alienates workers from each other and prevents collective action ALIENATION FROM HUMAN POTENTIAL: Under capitalism work becomes a means for survival rather then a means for self expression. This alienation prevents people from realizing their full capacities and talents 1. What are the differences between capitalism and socialism? (319-320) CAPITALISM: Private individuals or corporations own the means of productions and distribution of goods; these capitalists invest their money into goods that will be sold in the competitive market for profit SOCIALISM:Economic system that favours public ownership of means of production and distribution either at the hands of the workers or by the government. Means of production owned by the whole society, on behalf of workers who use and control them 2. What are the social consequences of gender discrimination in the workplace? (328-331) The gender wage gap, where women proportionally earn less then men within their respective field. Women being overrepresented in poverty (feminization of poverty). Women doing more unpaid work within household then men, and working more precarious, part time, lower paying jobs depending on when they are economically needed to 4. What are the differences between discriminatory unemployment and structural unemployment? Why do our estimates of unemployment provide too rosy a picture of the actual reality? (332-334) Discriminatory Unemployment: employment that effects only marginalized groups, like ethnic minorities people and women Structural Unemployment: unemployment resulting from social and economic factors that impact all people equally, like corporate layoffs, downsizing, automation, or outsourcing or labour. Unemployment statistics don’t fully report on the true rate of unemployment, as they only measure people actively looking for work who can’t find any. Don’t account for discouraged workers, women who are homemakers, people working odd jobs/precarious employment (if you work 1 hour a week, considered ‘employed’) Explain the Dutch and Denmark model of care. (235) Dutch and Denmark model work towards prioritizing ‘at home care’ for elders rather then institutional long term care facilities. They direct more of their funds (2/3) towards at home care and the wages of the caretakers, so they are earning proportionally for the work they are doing, and more away from financing care facilities. Explain the challenges faced by one-parent families and how family law reform impacted these challenges. (237) One parent households (79% of which are women) struggle to find a balance between work life/making money and acting as a caregiver for children; which explains why women proportionally face more poverty. To combat this, child support was created to ensure that men pay (proportionally) the money difference they would make from women within a normative heterosexual couple, in an attempt to bring one parent female households out of poverty. Describe the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities. (239) Struggle with school violence, stigmatization, and the inability to find adequate healthcare. Because of this, parents with disabled children (usually mothers) may reduce hours of or straight up leave paid employment positions to care for their children 1. What are the defining features of the globalization process? (212-213) Global Economic Interdependence Scientific and Technological Innovation Key Actors (corporate entities) Shaping the Global Economy Polycentric (dispersed) Cultures and Politics Changing world Cultures (cultural homogenization) Changing Nation-States (governments have less control of people) 2. What are the basic principles of world systems theory? (215) CORE STATES like the US, UK, and increasingly China, take raw material and cheap labour from less developed PERIPHERY STATES. This gives investors from core states economic power over periphery states, and the profits made off the materials from these periphery states drain out of the local economy and benefit the core states. Further, peripheral states will start overproducing export crops (cash crops) to an extent where they damage their ecosystems, further narrowing their trade options. People believe this is a form of IMPERIALISM 3. Why do people immigrate to other countries? (219-220) Some people migrate because post industrial sectors of the economy have created a demand for foreign workers, low level and technologically skilled, and these opportunities could improve ones quality of life. Others immigrate due to economic, social, or military strife in their home nations, and are seeking refuge 4. How is Brexit an example of a counter-globalization movement? (221) Brexit was apart of the European Union (EU), which was formed around the free movement of goods, people, and capital and creating economic integration between states (globalization). This led to an influx of African/middle eastern immigrants into Britain as well as decreased economic growth. In 2016 a referendum was held and the people of Brexit voted to leave the EU 5. What is the relationship between globalization and crime? (221-223) Globalization extends the reach and impact of illegal enterprise, creating opportunity for crime such as human trafficking, smuggling, terrorism, drug trafficking, etc. 6. How can debt management be a possible solution to global inequality? (227-228) Disparities in wealth and assets have been the cause of many wars and conflicts, and Hickel argues that the initial step towards global equality is to remove the debt burdens on poorer nations. Idea is that instead of investing their money on paying high interest rates, developing countries could allocate those funds to contribute to improving their core social institutions like education and healthcare, which could benefit millions. Debt cancellation could also shift global balance of power wealthier nations have over poorer ones