17 Feb. 2012

In class, we've discussed three different sociological theories, conflict, structural functionalism and symbolic interactionalism; these theories help analyze societies from a sociological point of view. In class, we've briefed on facebook and how the theories apply in understanding it's world and the way it functions. Similarily, with the help of our very own box TV, we've watched a pilot episode of an older show called the 'Freaks and Geeks' and applied the mentioned theories in a fictional high school setting.

But what of a real high school setting, what about that of our own. As expected of all communites, I think we too have formed a society in which can be explored through a sociological lense.

On conflict and power alone we live under layers of various struggling classes both manifest and latent in origin. Perhaps the most obvious of these cases is the student/teacher conflict, while the opposing parties are intended to work together to learn and educate, things don't always go as smoothly as they should as the individuals of the parties may have conflicting private interests. Like how in some classes the students pack and line up next to the door few minutes before the bell while the lecture is still being given.

Another everyday case is the student/student conflict. Whenever we have to form groups or partner up for a upcoming activity, the more 'smarter' and 'popular' kids are most likely to be picked first while us poor leftovers are abandonded to huddle off in the side with nothing but the shirts on our backs and the tears on our eyes. Conflict is here in our school as much as it were in Mckinley's.

It's interesting if not neat to see these theories in work and in application beyond just on paper.

I wish I was smart and popular, someday. I'm still an optimist but it is hard.