The Family Effect: How Our Homes Shape Who We Become

Just as gender roles are often taught to us from a young age by our families and schools, Family environment play a really important role in our life. When we think about what makes us who we are, it’s easy to focus on our friends, our jobs, or even the places we’ve lived. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll often find that one of the biggest influences on our lives is our family. Yep, the people we grow up with, fight with over the TV remote, and share awkward holiday dinners with—they have a massive impact on who we become.

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Social Interaction: The Heartbeat of Society

Ever noticed how much of our day revolves around other people? From chatting with the barista at your favorite coffee shop to sharing memes with friends online, social interaction is a huge part of our lives. But what exactly is social interaction, and why does it matter so much? In this blog post, I’m going to break down the concept of social interaction, explore what drives it, and look at its effects on our lives. Plus, I’ll throw in some real-life examples to keep things relatable.

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Understanding the Forces that Shape Our World: Social Change

When it comes to mobility, in addition to social mobility as discussed in the previous article, there is another concept that is also related to it. Have you ever noticed how things around us are constantly evolving? From the way we communicate to the way we work, shop, and even think—everything seems to be in a state of flux. This ongoing transformation is what sociologists refer to as social change. It’s not just about the big moments in history, like revolutions or civil rights movements; social change is happening all the time, right under our noses. In this blog post, I’ll break down what social change is, why it happens, and what effects it has on our lives, with a few examples to keep things grounded.

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Moving Up, Down, and Around in Society: Social Mobility

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to climb the social ladder with ease while others stay stuck in the same place no matter how hard they try? That’s where the concept of social mobility comes into play. It’s all about how people move up or down the social ladder, and it’s a big deal because it can shape everything from your job prospects to your quality of life. So, let’s break down what social mobility is, what drives it, and what it means for you and society as a whole.

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Social Status and Social Roles: The Invisible Script of Our Lives

When we talk about social stratification at previous article, we came across a concept 「status」. Before we talking about what exactly is that? Let’s think about some questions at the first place. Ever feel like you’re playing a part in a never-ending play? Whether it’s the role of the devoted parent, the hardworking employee, or the life-of-the-party friend, our lives are full of roles that shape who we are and how we interact with the world. These roles, often dictated by our social status, aren’t just random; they’re part of a complex system that influences everything from our daily interactions to the opportunities we have in life. Let’s dive into what social status and social roles are all about, how they work together, and how they play out in the grand theater of life.

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Social Stratification: The Layers of Society and How They Shape Our Lives

Regarding shaping our lives, we have talked about social norms and values before. Today let's look at another sociological concept that serves the same purpose. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have all the privileges in life while others struggle to get by? Or why certain jobs are respected more than others, even though they all contribute to society? The answer to these questions lies in something called social stratification—a fancy term for the layers of inequality that exist in every society. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what social stratification is, how it came to be, and how it plays out in real life.

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Subcultures: The Spice of Life in a Monochrome World

Today, let's get back to the topic and take a look at what subcultures are. Ever felt like you don’t quite fit into the mainstream? Maybe you’ve got a passion for something that seems a bit offbeat or out of the ordinary—whether it’s punk rock, skateboarding, or even knitting those quirky, oversized sweaters. If so, you might be part of a subculture, a world within a world where people connect over shared interests, values, and ways of life that differ from the broader society. Subcultures are the spice that keeps our culture from being a bland, uniform experience. They’re where creativity, rebellion, and identity come together to form something truly unique.

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The Power of Language: Why It Matters When a Language Disappears

As planned, it's time to talk about subcultures today. But in the last post, while exploring culture, we touched on the concept of 「language」. As a graduate of language university, and have written essay on the disappearance of language after arriving in New Zealand. I couldn't resist inserting an article about 「language」 today. It is actually a big concept. Let's talk about it briefly today, and we'll discuss it in a separate topic later. Imagine waking up one day and realizing that the language you’ve spoken your entire life is gone—no one else speaks it, and there’s no way to pass it on. It might sound like something out of a dystopian novel, but this is the reality for many languages around the world. Language is more than just a means of communication; it’s a lifeline to culture, identity, and history. Yet, languages are disappearing at an alarming rate. Let’s explore why language is so crucial, the shocking statistics behind language loss, and what happens when a language vanishes.

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Culture: The Invisible Glue That Holds Us Together

In the last article, we discussed social norms, and when a set of norms comes together into a whole set of value systems, the people who follow them form their own cultural circles. So today we're going to look at what culture is. Ever notice how what’s considered “normal” in one place can seem totally bizarre somewhere else? That’s culture at work—the set of beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that shape our everyday lives, often without us even realizing it. Culture is like an invisible glue that holds society together, giving us a sense of identity and belonging. But how exactly is culture formed, and what role does it play in our lives? And in today’s globalized world, what happens when different cultures collide? Let’s dive into these questions and explore the fascinating world of culture.

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