Race and Ethnicity in Modern Society
The issues of race and ethnicity is a delicate matter in the contemporary world. The differences result from several issues depending on the opportunities and challenges faced by each group. There are tons of evidence that points out that all life forms were once primitive. There was little technology, and people rarely migrated, leading to the formation of distinct cultures. The study of changes raised many questions about opportunities, Darwinism, and the complexity that lead to the formation of modern ethnic and cultural setup.
Research continues to unveil that race and ethnicity are too complicated for one discipline to explain. Some scholars use a centralized idea to explain the origin of humanity from a European centered perspective, while others use the African version. Another group as explain using twelve different human races. The challenge is that none of these versions can adequately explain the variations among races. The quest for information about ethnicity promoted the studies by Darwin and the development of religion. However, no attempt to vividly links races without limitations.
In modern society, race and ethnicity are more complicated for social scientists. There are differences in production, communication, market revolution, transportation, and institutions that target to harmonize these features. Race and ethnicity are currently associated mainly with political and economic inequalities. The indigenous people like the Inuit, Native American, or the Aboriginal people of Australia suffer much discrimination. Other minority groups such as the Hispanics and African Americans victims of poverty and few medical opportunities because of their size. In other African countries, races are the center of political divide and violence. The fact is that the problem is getting worse and more complex. Social institutions are essential in analyzing and developing models for people to appreciate the variations and enhance equality.
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The most interesting lesson from this topic is the history and development of social science. Applied sciences cannot solve many problems in society. Through statistical data, interviews and surveys, and identification of research errors, social scientists can identify problems related to social organization. The process began with unstructured studies with little mathematical models to understand the problems. The availability of funding let to the formation of commissions and associations that managed to categorize and provide solutions for social problems. The development became instrumental in addressing the challenges of the great depression.
The breakthrough of anthropology was the establishment of the Chicago School of Sociology to understand social conditions in a city. The researchers focused on livelihood and employment to explain how the city functioned. The goal was to enlighten the people and help them live better. The studies collected data to gain knowledge about the city and steer an activism process that uplifts the livelihood of the people. Though many scholars provided different paradigms, they all prove that social science is an integral part of human coexistence.
The development of social science proved to be invaluable to humanity, and people currently adopt it for several reasons. The discipline is crucial in determining alternatives to problems. For instance, a debate on a technological decision can highlight the risk to the people and suggest solutions. Besides, social science is vital in explaining the economy and understanding finances. The concept assisted people in getting over the great depression. Sociologists are also crucial in promoting health and well-being. Experts like public health officers and sport sociologists assist in explaining medical statistics and interpreting policies to assist the elderly, people with special needs, or leisure and lifestyle activities. Sociologists are instrumental in improving the security of a neighborhood by understanding the causes and patterns of crime. Generally, social science is a tool for public intelligence to identify challenges and connect various components of a community.
Something to learn more about
The behavior learning theories are a discipline worth evaluating beyond this course. The process of learning or unlearning new behaviors or changes in attitude is useful and requires more in-depth analysis. Behavior theories are essential in explaining individual and collective actions in a society. An understanding of the theories is critical in implementing social discoveries.
The reason to know more about behavior theories is to understand their implications in learning. Learning is a function of the environment and the intended message. Further reading would help in understanding how the former affects the learning process. This information would be necessary for understanding how politics, economy, and social structures affect the implementation of new policies. Moreover, knowing the interaction with the environment assist in informing the best behavior punishment or reinforcement interventions. This approach could help a sociologist understand the individual and institutional perception of the learning process to make them more useful.
Additional analysis is vital in knowing the required resources, conditions, and limitations of the theories. This information will is vital in organizing learning according to the principles of the theory. Moreover, it is a means to explore alternatives and to address the variation within communities. The knowledge also aids in knowing the potential of the learner to match the exercises accordingly. Further knowledge will unveil the stages of learning and critical conditions. Though these theories apply to the broader public, there could be limited based on the subject, object, or environment. More reading will highlight these constraints and thus create an opportunity to design solutions.
The Impact of Social Sciences
AS socials science becomes preferred means of implementing change, it attracts the attention of politicians and financiers. This situation questions the intention of social science as either being objective or advocative. Depending on the intention, the discipline can serve in either way. Social scientists engage in purposeful actions to advocate for opportunities, rights, and human dignity. The goal is to empower people in group processes, family dynamics, and organizational functioning. The actions can be a case or cause advocacy to implement change. On the other hand, social sciences have to remain objective in research and implementation of policies. However, social science theories are broad and general based on nature. This state could is because of the different social organizations globally. The nature of the field forces it to focus more on value other and benefit rather than the objective. Nevertheless, objectivity is necessary to avoid prejudice or bias during research and to ensure representation of social reality in reliably and accurately.
Whether advocative or objective, social science depends on societal issues and their interactions in change implementation. There, the cultural and social factors must take priority in decision-making. Though science is often underestimated in making societal decisions, it is imperative to consider the theories and the intentions for the effectiveness of the changes. These measures are essential in explaining to the public the value of such decisions. The health sector is one of the areas that need the attention of social workers. The establishment of a psychologically and physically healthy society requires the efforts of the public and government to understand disease epidemiology. Such changes are only possible through social work advocacy.