Welcome to the magical world of sociology. In this forum we enter through the doorway of music. Both studying sociology and listening to music can be ear opening, insightful and a powerful emotional experience. Sociology is the study of human behavior. Sociologists study patterns and trends in individuals' behaviors, and pin point the societal factors that influence our attitudes and actions. Sociologists observe social norms within communities. Social norms are patterns of behavior dictated by the larger cultures we are a part of. Your clothing, way of speaking, attitudes toward different groups of people, education and interests are all heavily impacted by your social location. Your social location refers to where you are in society. What groups do you belong to? What is your race/ethnicity, age, gender, income, or relationship status? All of these group memberships, part of your social location, are likely to influence who you are. What neighborhood to you live in? Where do you go to church, school, or to socialize? These societal factors also play a role in how you live your life and the types of opportunities that can be seized.
When we take the time to truly step outside ourselves and see the big picture, our world often disturbs us. Some are more personally affected by what's there to find: injustices, inequalities, hatred and excessive consumption are alive and well in the universe. Some of us experience frustration daily when confronted with views, beliefs and behaviors that run counter to our own personal values. There is no way to truly escape these social facts; only to ignore them. The global lines of communication are simply too widespread and interconnected to do otherwise. The study of sociology offers what early sociologist C. Wright Mills called the "promise of sociology": a way to understand the broader contexts that bear down on our personal lives. In this way, we do not need to change ourselves, or adopt a different way of life, or agree with the opinions of others. The only change that occurs is a subtle shift in perspective, a widening out of our frame of reference. It is then when we see clearer the roots of others' actions, behaviors or culture. It is then when the promise of sociology is fulfilled; we become unshackled by our personal opinions and socialization. It is here, at this place of understanding, when we can transcend the discomfort, confusion and hopelessness that can so easily arise as we are bombarded by "the way things are".
The practice and study of sociology is not intended to change the world, or fix it. Just as many of our spiritual traditions suggest the world is not ours to change, but to live in, sociologists feed a desire to understand their world on a deeper level while remaining somewhat detached from personal opinion. However, the life of the sociologist is one in which inequalities, discrimination and power structures constantly rise to the surface. Findings from sociological research can influence public policies and individual attitudes with regard to such facets social life. Applied or public sociology is a strain of the discipline in which social research is used specifically to solve problems, help institutions run more efficiently, and reduce the harmful effects of prejudice and false stereotypes.
This blog combines the creative energy and healing power of music with the sociological study of human behavior and societies. Many musical artists are also sociologists- individuals with a strong desire to understand their fellow humans, come to terms with injustices, and present ideas counter to the "establishment"- the politically dominant social structures of the time.
Do you have a favorite song that is also a commentary about our social world? Is there an aspect of society that you despise or do not understand? It's likely someone else felt the same way, and wrote a song about it. Every song on the radio is embedded in our social system.
And this is The Song and the System.
