Cultural diffusion was an area discussed when examining culture and mass media. The United States happens to be an extremely commercialized country. This fact has allowed our culture to spread throughout the world, mainly affecting the developed countries. For instance, large sections of Europe, Australia, Beijing, Japan, and Hong Kong display fast food, garb, and characteristics of American society. While this dispersal seems harmless, cultures around the world are losing touch with traditions, customs, and values that make these cultures unique. The American culture and media is so pervasive that it seems like only a matter of time before it begins to invade the more isolated societies. Where will we go to escape? Will cultural diversity disappear? What happens when a community resists change? Diffusion of the American culture can lead to tolerance, democracy, equality, but in the end it could come at a price.
The concept of terrorism as explored in the deviance section, relates to what I was discussing above. Certain countries and groups, such as terrorists in the Middle East, oppose the cultural ideals of Americans that are infusing the globe. Crime was examined in a societal context. Terrorism, in contrast, can be viewed as international crime in a global context. In an age of constantly emerging technological advances, how do we prevent novel forms of terrorism? We were not prepared for the September 11th attacks; will we be ready in the future? Also, we worry about bioterrorism, cyberterrorism, and any other novel approach that could be used. Another valid question is should we prepare for the worst, or attempt to alleviate the social conflicts causing this tension?
Finally, I wanted to touch on the international sex trade, specifically sex trafficking and sex tourism. It seems that sex tourism isn’t taken too seriously in our society. Comedic films that focus on travelling through Europe or Asia often include sexual encounters in places such as Amsterdam or Thailand. By mocking this industry, I think the severity of the issue is diminished. Sex trafficking, in contrast, is appalling, especially when children are involved. This has become a global concern for the obvious ethical reasons; however it is also a concern for global health. Interconnected sex trades such as these contribute to the spread of HIV and other STDs. So, the main question is, how do we stop it?
As you can see, sociology explores conflicts from interpersonal disputes to worldwide concerns. Culture, deviance, crime, stratification, and sexuality all have aspects that affect us on a personal level; however they go so far beyond that. Ultimately, sociology is a science that permeates all areas of our shared world.
General information acquired from:
Anderson, Margaret L., and Howard F. Taylor. Sociology: The Essentials. Sixth ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2011. Print.
