Gender, Power, The Real Housewives and The Help

On By econnellIn Class and Stratification, Popular Culture and Consumption, Sally Raskoff, Sex and Gender, Social Problems, Politics, and Social Change14 Comments

imageBy Sally Raskoff

clip_image002The time has come to admit that I watch some of the “Real Housewives” shows, most recently, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. These shows are fascinating from a sociological perspective. 

Ostensibly, these are real people living their lives in front of the cameras, although footage is edited and crafted to be “good TV.” Recent episodes depict the trials and tribulations of wealthy women in Beverly Hills as Adrienne and Lisa balance their work lives with their personal lives, Kim and Kyle deal with sisterly issues, Camille and Brandi work through being newly single, and Taylor struggles with marital issues and (alleged) domestic abuse.

Continue reading “Gender, Power, The Real Housewives and The Help” →

Market Citizenship and Occupying Personhood

On By econnellIn Class and Stratification, Social Problems, Politics, and Social Change8 Comments

image By Stephanie J. Nawyn

Assistant Professor

Department of Sociology, Michigan State University

As I watch the events of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement unfold and learn about the various responses to it, I am struck by the larger picture that many commentators have overlooked. Many critics of the movement, when they aren’t deriding the protestors for having no clear objectives or direction, claim that the protestors are driven by a sense of entitlement, or are “looking for handouts,” and should get a job and work hard like the rest of us.

Continue reading “Market Citizenship and Occupying Personhood” →

The Lone Star State: Symbols, Place, and Identity

On By econnellIn Janis Prince Inniss, Popular Culture and Consumption, Social Psychology11 Comments

clip_image002

clip_image001By Janis Prince Inniss

Do you know where this picture of the Christmas tree was snapped? Hint: look at its ornaments; they’re all stars. And look at the building in the background…no, this is not Washington, D.C. The correct answer is Austin, Texas.

As I traveled to, and around a few cities in Texas during the holidays, I was struck by the fact that I was in Texas! Unlike some other American cities which might be substituted one for another, it is hard to forget where you are when in the so-called Lone Star State. There are quite a few emblems that appear practically everywhere.

Continue reading “The Lone Star State: Symbols, Place, and Identity” →

A Durkheimian Christmas

On By econnellIn Janis Prince Inniss, Religion, Theory4 Comments

clip_image001By Janis Prince Inniss

As I set off to the mall a couple nights before Christmas, I was thinking about how I might apply sociological concepts to holiday rituals. My husband had just introduced my Mum to Festivus (you know, "for the rest of us") from the TV show Seinfeld. She had never seen that episode and because my husband sounded fairly convincing, she had no way of knowing that Festivus does not include washing cars, watering the garden or opening a gift – all of the things we had done earlier in the day.

Continue reading “A Durkheimian Christmas” →

Sociological New Year’s Resolutions

On By econnellIn Peter Kaufman, Popular Culture and Consumption, Theory6 Comments

Peter_Kaufman_Bio_PicBy Peter Kaufman

The earth has just finished another trip around the sun and for many people that meant celebrations, fireworks, and New Year’s resolutions.

clip_image001New Year’s resolutions are good examples of rituals—social customs or practices that members of a group participate in to symbolize a shared value. The majority of New Year’s resolutions consist of promises we make to ourselves for self improvement. Some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions include: drink less alcohol, get a better education, get a better job, get fit, lose weight, manage debt, manage stress, quit smoking, save money, take a trip.

Continue reading “Sociological New Year’s Resolutions” →

Everyday Sociology Talk: Robert Sampson on Communities and Crises

On By econnellIn Class and Stratification, Globalization, Immigration, Population, Aging, and Demography, Karen Sternheimer, Social Institutions: Work, Education, and Medicine, Social Problems, Politics, and Social Change, Video: Everyday Sociology Talk3 Comments

  

Robert Sampson, author of Great American City, discusses how crises impact communities differently with Karen Sternheimer.

For more videos, see www.youtube.com/nortonsoc