Where do I fit in?

Social Construction makes humans ignorant to important issues. In fact, it sets standards that often, if we do not fit them, make us insecure about ourselves. This can lead to depression, self-harming, and other psychological problems.

What are Social Constructions?

Social constructions are the rules that those in society have created for themselves. For example, to society, the skinnier you are the better you'll look. And the lighter your skin tone is, the better you'll look. In fact, these are stereo types that we have in our society, which makes many people insecure about themselves. However, when children are born we implement in their clothing the gender that the baby reveals, this is also a social construction within today's society(Appelbaum). Because of this, many kids who are trapped in the wrong body find it so much more difficult to show who they really are. therefore, those kids and young adults are afraid of being judged by their own families and friends. However, another example of social construction can also be as simple as having a birthday party without a birthday cake. Many will say that the birthday party isn't a real birthday celebration due to the absence of the cake(Applebaum). Because of this, many kids who are trapped in the wrong body find it so much more difficult to show who they really are. Therefore, those kids and young adults are afraid of being judged by their own family and friends. However, another example of social construction can also be as simple as having a birthday party without a birthday cake. Many will say that the birthday party isn't a real birthday celebration due to the absence of the cake(Applebaum).

Norms, values, and beliefs are all part of our social construction. In fact, the norms, values, and beliefs that we hold are pushed into society generation after generation, becoming a social contract which we all agree to unknowingly.

Today, modern society holds norms that in some cases creates discrimination among different races, religion, and sex-preference, thus, leading society to separate by race, which will end up creating discrimination, violence, and hate among ourselves. These issues create barriers and ignorance. Due to the human nature of talking and acting as one’s knowledge allows them, many will ignore the fact that these norms create mental damage to the youth’s minds. By this I mean, one acts depending on their social structure and agency. for example, if an individual was born in a low class neborhood their options of jobs and life-styles are limited. In the neborhood selling drugs, working at a factory, and jobs that starts at $7.5, are the only options available to succeed. However, that person can pursue more. Him or her can obtain a college degree and a better life style. But the fact that the education provided to him/her and the everyday life they are placed in, prevents them from seeing things from a different view. In fact, one will refuse to acknowledge the fact that we are all the same and that we are all important, due to the lack of the ability to see things from a bigger point of view. This is because the beliefs and rules that we have known all our lives limits our capacity to understand or realize that although one might be different, it does not take any value or beauty away from that person.

In fact, the sociologist Emile’ Durkheim preformed a study on suicidal behavior to try to find out what lead humans to commit suicide. "Durkheim argued that suicide can be caused by social factors, not just individual psychological ones. Durkheim reasoned that social integration is a factor. The more socially integrated a person is—[that is,] connected to society and generally feeling that they belong and that their life makes sense within the social context--the less likely they are to commit suicide"(Crossman). Therefore, when one doesn’t fit the society’s standards they become outsiders. In other words, those who don’t fit the standards are segregated and will now be labeled “different”.

In conclusion, social constructions affect our everyday life. Often, it affects our life in a positive way and sometimes in a negative way. Therefore, we need to acknowledge the bigger picture. The issues that come with the negative effect impacts our younger generation tremendously. Many young kids that are affect by bullying tend to harm themselves, even try to take their lives. Therefore, we need to accept that we are all different in many ways, but the most important part is that we are all equal.