We “build worlds” through communication from what we see around us and our influences. With the social constructionist, it is through collective representations of what is going on. These representation are seen through the symbolic codes, cultural traditions, cognitive customs and roles and rules. Our peers and media help shape our understanding of things.
The way we communicate things, make others believe that it is okay. In other cultures, still today, women are not a loud to talk much. Their husbands are the ones who call all the shots and the women have to so what they are told. They don’t have a voice. Things may be getting better for those women because they see that other women around the world are being stronger and independent and they want to be like them. They way we communicate, helps others see that it is okay to do certain things, or try to stick up for what is right. As people communicate with others around the world, they have to understand the way they communicate as well. Some things that are said and done in one country, might not be appropriate for another. People need to break down certain barriers and realize that not everyone is alike. The way we communicate “builds” our own world, but not always others. Some things that we talk about in our culture, that might not exist in others, would be women’s rights. Not all cultures believe that women can be strong and that they can pursue higher education, or be in charge of large corporations. Because we have mostly equal rights for women in our culture when compared to men, it makes women more happy, and we run better as a culture. Now women can feel like they belong to things and that their opinions matter. We run better as a culture. Also the right to vote and our government system. Some cultures are just told what to do and if they don’t like it, then oh well. At least in our culture we can vote and voice our opinions on things that go on. If we don’t like it then we can try to change it. Some cultures, people are killed if they don’t agree or try to change things. Because of our government system, we the people have more of a say, and it makes our country run better as a whole.
I think you raise a really good point when referring to women’s rights, or lack of, in other countries. Women are a huge part of societies in general and the fact that some women are not allowed to freely communicate their opinions is culturally accepted in some countries is sad. What is even more sad is that some people in those societies probably do not realize that it is wrong because they do not know any different. Aspects of their cultures, the media, tradition, the law, etc. have communicated to them that it is normal for women to not speak freely.
ReplyDeleteHello Roro!
ReplyDeleteYour understanding of the social constructionist model is accurately portrayed in the example of women’s rights in some countries around the world. In those cultures the four elements the models are very foreign to our culture as Americans. I have personally seen the example you explain. When I deployed to Iraq, I was based out in a small outpost in a very conservative area. The area of operations my team and I were responsible for covered mostly small villages. Even though we were aware of the cultural differences it was such culture shock to see women having essential no rights, at least in public. We were briefed not to make eye contact, speak to, or make physically contact unless need be because those action could potentially put the women in harm’s way by their husband or family. We are blessed to have the government system we have today, where we emphasize equality.