Essay Sample on the Importance of Studying Sociology

Sociology involves a scientific study of human behaviour. A course in sociology raises appreciation about the functioning of the society and the interdependence of the different facets of the community. Sociologists understand the sources, nature and impacts of stereotypes and power dynamics in society. A study in sociology would deem an individual fit to lead movements aiming to address social injustices since sociologists understand the planning process for mass action and mobilisation that would increase the success of such campaigns.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Reason 1 for Studying Sociology

Sociology gives significant insights into the understanding of the impact of social forces on human behaviour. Sociology emphasises the social nature of human beings, and it is instrumental in creating the knowledge of man to be in a continuous state of interaction with other individuals in the society (Bulmer 20). The study of the pattern of communications in the community provides significant insights into the manner individuals interact at the local and international levels. Since an individual is deemed to have an impact in the society, sociology creates an understanding of the need for engagement in career paths including research, human resources, psychology and business management.

Studies in sociology provide knowledge that the social consensus is instrumental in creating peaceful societies. Sociologists appreciate the origin of social contract, laws and government(Bulmer 41). Moreover, sociology provides insights into the interdependence between the different societal institutions for the stability, continuation and functioning of the society. For instance, the government provides public goods including free education that benefits the family and in return, the family pays taxes for the continuation of government operations.

Reason 2 for Studying Sociology

Stereotypes are oversimplified generalisations about a particular group of people. There are both positive and negative stereotypes, but most stereotypes are offensive (Bian et al. 390). The most prominent stereotypes are racial and gender stereotypes. Stereotypes are responsible for the rise in intimate partner violence. The society has to undergo a process of de-socialisation to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence. Women and oversimplified racial groups are forced to take the responsibility of overcoming the hardships they experience because of what others think about them. Encouraging critical thinking exposes the irrationality of the oversimplified generalisations and help in the acceptance of equality of both genders.

Gender stereotypes are instrumental in portraying women to be the weaker gender thus creating a power imbalance between men and women. Gender inequality results from the containment of women at home and the portrayal of women to be weaker make some of the employees to pay them a lower pay compared to their male counterparts (Bian et al. 389). Gendered cultures have existed throughout history, and the historical injustices committed to women contribute to the weak pace of success of empowerment programs.

Social stratification contributes to the imbalance of power in society. The class systems breed social inequalities due to the existence of a conflict of interest with the subordinate groups aiming at overturning the exploitative relations (Kim 956). The class systems accord control over productive resources to some individuals making them rich to have a more significant influence and instruments of power available to them. Importantly, collective action, resistance and solidarity are necessary means in altering the existing power relations.

The government comprises a few individuals who determine the fate of the state. The government officials manipulate the power accorded to them by the masses for their right (Kim 957). Although citizens have the right to vote their leaders, citizen participation in government issues is limited. The dominant individuals manage to interfere with the voting process, and it is common for the influential individuals to accumulate more power. Inequality of life experiences between the leading officials and the masses make leaders adopt a slow pace in addressing national issues.

Reason 3 for Studying Sociology

The masses must result in collective action to overcome the current power imbalance. The scenario is evident in the 350 Org. that seek to use publications to reveal to the masses about the rise in carbon dioxide levels (Wright 11). Also, the organisation uses demonstrations by university students to inform the government about the masses discontentment with the current state of environmental pollution. Collective action including protests shifts the pattern of excise of power making the masses to acquire greater say over the government, and it makes the government obey the will of the people. The use of collective action and unrests communicates immediacy in the raised concerns.

Sociologists are of great help to movements in providing insights into the concepts and skills for exposing and addressing social injustices. Sociology introduces an aspect of social imagination in individuals that offer insights into the existence of realities within which man operates. Social imagination creates awareness of the process of achieving desired goals and the relationship between actions and outcomes (Kim 956). Sociologists will guide same-sex activists, and black lives matter movements into conducting successful advocacy campaigns touching on felt needs and shared goals. Importantly, they are likely to lead the changes in using the right strategies and addressing the concerned stakeholders.

To conclude, studies in sociology increase understanding of man experiences as a social being. Sociology studies involve understanding the society as a whole, and it contributes to understanding the patterns of interactions including power relationships. Sociologists can lead successful movements aiming at addressing social injustices. Collective action is instrumental in a community full of power imbalance where the rich and the leaders lack commitment in raising the situation of the less privileged individuals.

Works Cited

Bian, Lin, Sarah-Jane Leslie, and Andrei Cimpian. "Gender Stereotypes About Intellectual Ability Emerge Early and Influence Children's Interests." Science 355.6323, 2017, pp. 389-391.

Bulmer, Martin. Sociological Research Methods. Routledge, 2017, pp. 11-50

Kim, Jongkil, Jongtae Kim, and Andrew Ho Kim. "The CommunicationAdaptiveness and Power Dynamics of the State, the Market, and Civil Society in the Information Age: the Case of Korea." Information, Communication & Society 17 (8), 2014,pp. 956-973.

Wright, Patrick. New Rules for an Old Game: 350. Org and Social Movements in the Digital Age. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2014.Pp. 11-15