Response to chapter 15

I often have concerns about our growing population. I can't even fathom how many people are born each and every day whether those pregnancies were wanted, unwanted, or forced. 6 billion people is an unimaginable number when it comes to numbers. Every body containing a soul...complexities, dimensions, affections, sensations, limitations, dreams, hopes, fears, anxieties, phobias, pimples, chins, and legs just to name a few. And even in our vast expansion regarding technology and the way we heal ourselves, stratification becomes somewhat of a crude and unchecked visitor here. It astonishes me how very little the people in this world get to see a healthcare professional. The discussion on rural and urban areas also peaked my interest. How certain areas fall into poverty when just a short amount of time ago it might have been a more visually and financially appealing area.

Response to chapter 16

Well this is the final chapter of the book and what can I say? I think this chapter was appropriate to finish off what was very a very interesting read and a deep translucence into what makes us as humans tick. It is true that social changes are exactly like the events in life, in that things change. Going through the examples of how a society goes through its changes, events, precipices, and eventually its reinstatement through change or the breakdown of a society because of the inability or its lack of will to change. I can definitely relate to disasters as a part and sometimes the ultimatum of change. My own home country is going through a disaster everyday with out president. Every day that passes by draws closer to the end of his reign though. 

Response to chapter 14

I have alot to say about this chapter. As it may be known, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2008. Being fortunate enough to have adequate insurance, I did not have to go through the nightmare that an understated multitude of people are going through every single day. Stratification plays an enormous role here. This is where the separation of the rich and the poor becomes very grossly clear and apparent. in the United States, most hospitals will not turn down patients because of their inability to pay. While sounding like a truly selfless policy, this leaves the question of what happens after?

Response to chapter 13

I learned quite a bit from this chapter on how the world views religion from a society's standpoint. A few years back, we had learned about the untimely and supremely tragic mass suicide at the Jonestown settlement. With the nation polarized, the views on religious groups began to change. The words "cult of death" were splashed across the front page of Time Magazine with pictures of the littered dead in the foreground.
I believe this event contributed to the stigma we have today on religion. Many people base their general opinion on anything remotely controversial on a singular and polarizing event. Both sides of the story are often not heard. While I strongly oppose any sort of propagation, pressing, and bigoted forms of communicative religion, I do strongly believe also that there must be another side to such events that raise questions of creed and integrity.

Response to chapter 12

I firmly believe that a socialist government has its advantages and disadvantages. Some of the subjects that we touched base on in this chapter remind me of the situation that is going on in my country. In everything that we have accomplished as a species and as a society, we must realize that a capitalist society while providing opportunities to those who are lucky enough to obtain these chances has many flaws and does not afford equal treatment to those who are not so fortunate to have these social connections. While I choose to remain politically neutral, it is clear and apparent that any sort of government we have today is flawed because of one fundamental reason. We are all human and as such there is no perfect system. I'm resolved to believe that we each have to do the best that we can and when we see any sort of opportunity to better ourselves as humans we must take it.

Response to chapter 11

Race and ethnicity are sensitive subjects to everyone even though they don't have to be. The book makes reference to the fact that even though we might all be from different creeds and origins, our physical characteristics comprise less than 1% of information obtained from DNA. Even though organizations and major corporations are disbanding any sort of prejudice towards racial issues, it still exists in our world today. With all the advances in our world today as a species, it is hard to believe that these insipid issues are still something people take value in.

Response to chapter 10

This chapter spoke to me about gender roles and how the western world would view them. My adult life so far has been challenging because of these archaic western views. I do agree somewhat in keeping with tradition and allowing women to raise children not because it is easier to hand off the work to a female or for any sexist reasons, but because I feel a female would better have the instinct and subconscious knowledge of how to raise a child. Because of my career and my temperament I feel that I would not be an appropriate parent. In terms of society and gender, I feel that nowadays there is a glass ceiling for both genders not because of their sex but because of social status.