Reference no: EM132318709

From student D.P

• Compare and contrast what is meant by the social construction of race with what is meant by the social construction of ethnicity and what is meant by the social construction of gender?

The common denominator that all three of these terms have is "social construction". I read the world "social" in this context and think about the entire society or in other words the world. According to dictionary.com, construction is defined as "the style or method used in the building of something." These two terms differ when talking about race and ethnicity. The book defines race as "a category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior. Whereas ethnicity is "reference to once cultural background or national origin. (Kendall D. E.)

• How or why is it beneficial to view these as social constructs?

It is important to know what the difference between race and ethnicity is because ultimately we could all be the same shade of cobalt blue but do not identify the same. For example, just because you see a young woman with a baby on her hip doesn't mean the baby is hers. Or just because you see a woman at all doesn't mean she stays at home maintaining the house all day.

• For you personally, are your racial, ethnic, and/or gender identities more matters of how you view yourself or of how others view you? Please explain.

As for my race, all my life people have looked at me and automatically assume that because I am Asian I am smart above all. I beg to differ, I have taught myself to be diligent but I wouldn't down right call myself "smart". Now as for my ethnicity, I am filipino and I very well believe that Filipinos are very hospitable. I see a lot of that aspect along with people pleasing in myself.

• In what ways is how you view yourself influenced by the larger society and culture?

My parents are from the Philippines, born and raised. I on the other hand, was born and raised here in the United States. My parents have a different way of running their household, the "Filipino way". My friends growing up were not Filipino, long story short, their parents didn't believe in curfew or even being strict at that matter. The united states society and culture influenced me to rebel against my parents, and go against their curfew because my friends, whose parents were born and raised here, didn't have one.

Sources:

Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Kendall, D. E. (2018). Sociology in our times: The essentials (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.