Sociological Imagination the Importance and Essay

1415). What could be of great utility from Miller and Stark's theorizing is the understanding of how gender socialization varies among societies, among nations. It aligns itself with classical thinking which states that women are more care-giving and more reserved because of the sexual division of labor (as seen in the results of the study in Japanese society where traditional gender roles persists) and at the same time it departs from this thinking when it said that more liberal, non-traditional roles can now be seen in other societies as well (as demonstrated by the results of the study in American society). As Mills has posited, it is important for us to be able to swiftly shift from one perspective to another. In this case, to shift from the classical Durkheimian sociology of sexual division of labor to the modernist perspective of Miller & Stark, which incorporates how gender roles have changed over the years - to see how a particular society is situated in its history. Moreover, we can look at the differences of men and women in Western and Asian society to understand why gender roles in these two societies are of stark difference. This accounts for Mill's "human nature" tool. This in turn leads us to adopt a structuralist standpoint and see how a particular society is shaping the people's gender identity. We can then say that probably, the society's economy leads women to stay in the house and do domestic chores. Changes in the economy can be hypothesized as probable determinants as to why gender roles have changed over the years.Particular economic conditions must have prodded women to massively enter the formal labor force.

Relating these theories on sex / gender and sociological imagination, I can now understand why I was able to enter the fitness industry. The fitness industry has long been dominated by men. As a proof, any casual observer may notice the unequal ratio of men and women in gyms. But women's entrance in this industry cannot be considered insignificant. My being able to work as a fitness instructor is a proof that changes in the field of the fitness industry is noticeable. But more importantly, by and large, changes in the labor force are evident.

This accounts for the kind of changes that the American society is undergoing - economic and cultural change among others. Women's entrance in the labor force as well as our entrance in male-dominated industries proves that there is indeed a veering away from traditional gender roles in the American society. This accounts for the "human nature" in Mills' work. This is now that variety of men and women living in the contemporary American society - more liberal-minded; no longer heavily bound by conservative, traditional norms.

References

Clifton, R.A. et al. (2008). Gender, Psychosocial Dispositions, and the Academic Achievement of College Students. Research in Higher Education (49), pp. 684-703.

Entwistle, J. "Sex/Gender" in Core Sociological Dichotomies. Sage Publications: London.

Miller, a. & Stark, R. (2002). Gender and Religiousness: Can Socialization Explanations Be Saved?….....