A
setting that I have recently become familiar with is dorm life. Social control
is defined as those mechanisms that create normative
compliance in individuals. I’m an object of social control because I have been
molded into a dorm occupant who is forced to shower and brush their teeth in a
communal bathroom. I also have to always make sure I am courteous of the
communal spaces and keep them clean. I’ve learned to be a considerate roommate
by not turning the light on when I enter the room while she is sleeping, by not
eating her food and by respecting her belongings. I have also had to find a balance between
social life, sleep, and studying which is extremely difficult because of the
non-stop social interactions dorm life brings. An informal way I act as an
agent of social control is by telling people to throw away their trash when
they attempt to leave the lounge with out doing so. I have performed social
deviance by hosting overnight guests with out registering them with the front
desk. I have also played music and spoken loudly passed quiet hours. I feel
that I am deviant to those rules because I feel as if I am causing no harm to
others or myself by breaking them and abide to the other rules because I understand
their necessity.
Hi Faith! I liked your post about dorm life! I think living in a dorm with all your friends definitely introduces you to new social norms and re-socialization. When I moved into the dorms, it only took me a day to realize certain rules that must be followed. Some rules that were easy to learn were wearing shoes in the shower, not leaving your toothpaste by the sink overnight (people will take it), always have your key with you, and don't throw away smelly food in your garbage. These rules became habit to me quickly, and it was amazing how that different setting created new habits that I still follow now that I am living on DP. Great Post!
ReplyDelete--Megan Fee
Hey Faith! I liked your post as well, moving into the dorms gave us all these new rules and norms to follow, however moving away from our parents also re-socialized our whole outlook on living as well- we no longer live under our parents roofs and rules. so, while we have these expectations to follow these rules, I believe they are in part put in place to help us transition from dependent on our parents, to adults ourselves.
ReplyDelete-Emily Lopez
Hi Faith! I really enjoyed your post and it caused my to view my dorm experience through a sociological lens. I was re-socialized when I experienced the difference of going from being an only child to having people around me constantly. I had to be more cautious of things I left laying around in my dorm, because I didn't want my roommate to think I was a slob. That definitely paid off since I've lived with her these past four years, and we've kept our same habits and respect for each other the whole time.
ReplyDelete