This case study will explore the sociological factors that affected my experiences during childhood and while transitioning into young adulthood. Specific factors such as the effects of class, gender and historical events will be examined on how they can affect an individual’s transition from childhood into young adulthood. This case study will focus on macro-sociology approach and the life course approach. It will, therefore, look at the sociological conditions in relation to historical events and age and how this was experienced by me over time (Macionis and Plummer, 2012). The first factor to affect someone’s experience throughout their life course is social class. According to a survey designed by Mike Savage and Fiona Devine called the …show more content…
Education in our society is not necessarily followed by employment (Green, 2010). However, we are still expected to study in order to increase our chances for employment. My parents worked hard in order to be able to provide for us and to give us the ability get an education in order to get a well-paid job, so we would not struggle later in life. In my family, we were all expected to study. That in a way put pressure on me to meet the expectations my family and society had. Throughout my adolescence, I always considered following a caring career preferably related to the healthcare. At first, I considered pursuing Medicine, however, for reasons I am yet not sure I choose not to. I will therefore, continue to study Psychology. My decision towards my studies I believe was probably influenced by society. My parents did not consider gender a factor affecting my career choice. However, friends and relatives that believed so perhaps affected my decision to follow Psychology instead of Medicine by making me consider whether I will be able to succeed in Medicine. It is considered that all cultures are characterized by inequality amongst genders (Underwood and Rosen, 2013). Therefore, according to social construction, I followed a path that society would expect me to follow (Macionis and Plummer, 2012). Additionally, my gender did …show more content…
A cohort is a category of people that usually have common attitudes and characteristics and are affected by the same historical events and trends related to the economy and culture (Macionis and Plummer, 2012). The financial crisis and the economy have affected my cohort and will continue to do so. Reports show that more young people remain in education for longer (Morrow and Richards, 1996). Even though education does not equal employment, young people choose to spend more time in education because the probability of getting employment later will be higher. Additionally, young people tend to be offered financial support from parents and are able to get student loans in order to continue and finish their studies. I chose to study abroad and I, therefore, moved to the UK despite the higher tuition fees because an international degree is more desirable for employment later on. However, without a tuition loan and financial support from my parents, I would not be able to do that. Following a degree in the UK and later on a Master’s would result in me having a high debt later on. Additionally, since education does not equal employment I might need to return home and live with my parents until I find employment that would provide me with a salary to be able to live independently. Therefore, despite the expectations for young people to become adults and live independently the millennial cohort is suffering from
An important point that Mr. Bienen makes is that the “. . . more years of school, post-secondary, [one has] are positively correlated with earnings over one’s lifetime, and also correlated with lower
The concept of adulthood represents not only the sum of one's experiences, but also the determination of one's place within society. Adulthood is formed through the experiences of the individual. These experiences catalyze the acceptance of a social role, as opposed to title or paycheck. Finally, the acceptance of an individual's social role initiates a process of social unity. In this way, the sum of a person's experience and the changes that result from said experiences present the evolution of child into adult.
In my intermediate family not everyone went to college and today they still struggle to find a job that pays them well and can finance them for the things they wish to have. Where my eldest aunt went to college and earned her master’s degree and worked a job she loved that payed well and gave her the opportunity to live happy and comfortably. College does not prepare you for a life of bills and credit but it does prepare you for the profession you are aiming
“The dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement (Adams 1).” A 2002 study found that 17% of student loan borrowers reported their loans had a significant impact on their career plans.13 Today, after the economic downturn, ASA’s survey suggests that number has nearly doubled, as 30% of respondents said their student loan debt was a deciding factor or had considerable impact on their choice of career. In addition, 52% said they either strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that their “need to pay student loan debt is hampering my ability to further my career.” One ASA survey respondent commented, “I need to have two jobs because of my student debt, and I cannot take employment opportunities that will not make enough money, regardless of the potential that they may have in the future (American student assistance 5).” Relates to definition because they need to have 2 jobs to be able to pay off student debt.
“Emerging adulthood” article written by Arnett states that emerging adulthood is a stage that has been introduced for the beginning of the age 18 till 25. This new stage is a bridge that connects the adolescences and adult childhood. Various characteristics have described to define the emerging adulthood. The methods that have used includes the age of change, the age of possibility, the age of feeling in between and age of identity exploration. Emerging adulthood is time has been given to young people where they learn how to become adults.
College takes around 4 years for most, sometimes more, and those years could be years of making money. Years spent in college could be years spent racking up debt for a future that will never exist. A multitude of college graduates don’t actually have a career in the field that they majored in, but still end up in service jobs. Consequently, 57% of 18 to 34 year olds who are not in school and don’t have a bachelor 's degree say they prefer to work and make money rather than go to school (Source F). These high school graduates do not desire to collect debt during their prime working years and would rather find work using their hands.
Life is full of choices. The choice to succumb to your circumstance or surpass the expectations of society. The overall decision to go to college was made on the vision of a life greater than what was provided to me by my parents. The cliché of the American Dream is only achievable with hard work and perseverance. I believe that those are the attributes of success and the foundation of why I value education.
There is many people that go to college, but because of the cost they don't get through college. The elevated costs of college cause not only students to struggle paying for college, but also to struggle financially paying for college when they are done. In many cases, after graduating, young adults who don’t find a job will become poorer, increasing the gap between the rich and the
Argumentative Essay: Embracing College Debt "By making college unaffordable and student loans unbearable, we risk deterring our best and brightest from pursuing higher education and securing a good paying job" (Pocan, 2016). High school seniors advance into college with little income and no knowledge of managing large expenses. Although college incurs significant debt, it has positive lifelong benefits such as a better job, higher salary with benefits, and obtaining an opportunity for a fuller life. College graduates tend to have better employment opportunities.
Since tuition has risen 3 times higher the rate of inflation in the past 10 years, this increase a student’s chances of not being able to afford higher education and also gives them a better chance of accumulating debt post-graduation. Some people think that the college education they acquired did not fit the amount they paid for it, even if they pulled out loans or were an ideal candidate for a scholarship. This is a scary fact because higher education can determine if you thrive
First generation college students are ill prepared for college based off of statistical evidence, their parents, and financial struggles. First, Liz Riggs uses statistical evidence in many ways to explain how first generation college
The phrase “education being worth it no matter the cost” has been drilled into students as well as their families. This has led to student loans eclipsing a total of $1 billion every year, and in total reaches more than $1 trillion. While most loans don’t have to be paid off until after graduation, many students aren’t able to find jobs to subsidize the loan payments once they have
Theories of late adulthood development are quite diverse in later adulthood than at any other age. They include self-theory, identity theory and stratification theory. The self-theory tries to explain the core self and search to maintain one’s integrity and identity. The older adults tend to integrate and incorporate their various experiences with their vision and mission for their respective community (Berger, 2008). Also, the older people tend to feel that their attitude, personalities and beliefs have remained in a stable state over their lives even as they acknowledge that physical changes have taken place in their bodies.
As Americans, we view the Constitution as a stepping stone to making the great country we live in today. Yet, we the people of the United States failed to realize another component in order to form a perfect union. Which is to establish and promote equal opportunities for a quality education for all. However, we live in a society where social locators such as class, gender, and race are huge factors in the determination of one’s educational future.
In fact, one of the central purposes of this essay is to encourage individuals to get a college education. For pupils wanting to attend college, there is FAFSA a government assistance to assist with low-income undergraduates attending college. A numerous of low-income undergraduates often become in debt attempting to acquire a degree from a four-year college. Meanwhile, I coincide with the Should Everyone Go to College? piece. The essay contains credible statistics regarding attaining a college education.