Sociological Perspective Essay

1. Introduction

“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both” is a common quote said by theorist C. Wright Mills. Per C. Wright Mills sociological imagination is important when studying people as people are highly effected by their surrounds, circumstances and history (Taylor, 2007). Therefore, people cannot be studied individually but rather as a society. The aim and objective of this essay is to examine how the sociological imaginational perspective views the problems of families, society and how they interweave. This will be explained through the following:

A. Definition of sociological imagination

B. Difference between social issue and a personal trouble

C. Example of a

Wright Mills, needs a high element of critical thinking to understand the cross between ones current live and one’s history (Isaksen, n.d.). Social change is therefore dependent on knowledge and awareness of the varies relationships between an individual and a society. It allows one to be seen through social patterns which has influences on both the induvial and the society (Taylor, 2007). The space in which the relationship take place allows links to be comprehended by the viewer. These links help us view an individual in their own space, from an outside perspective. The space in which individuals live allows us to view both their social and personal setting, these are the factors which shape an individual.

3. Difference between a personal trouble and a social issue.

3.1 . Definition of personal trouble

A person trouble can be referred to as a situation which only effects a family or individual, rather than a society or a community. It is a personal behaviour (Taylor, 2007). Though many may feel as if they alone are effected by a personal trouble, they are not. Personal trouble are usually an effect of a societal issue. The societal issue shapes the experience and the way which individuals see themselves, thus leading to the personal trouble (Taylor, 2007).

3.2 . Definition of social issue

A social issue is a situation caused by the structures of a community and or a society (Hennessy, 2013). These have major effects

The panic attacks of my father may can been triggered by the move and ageing of me, this youngest daughter, however it was not the primary cause. Living in South Africa, with a rand forever dropping, I do personally see a change in my household financially. Less money is saved, though the monthly basket is not increasing and holidays away have become a thing of the past. For example, in 2015 I could tour Europe. A tour costing sixty thousand rand, excluding spending. I could get the equal amount or spending. Though this may seem much in South African Rands, it was only equivalent to three thousand five hundred and ninety-three euros. We had to pay for our own food and spending for a full month. The cost of a Big Mac meal had been close to five euros, meaning it was almost eighty-three rand. With the decrease in the country, everything became more expensive, for everyone living in South Africa. This lead to more retrenchments in companies, leaving many without jobs. The average unemployment rate in 2016 in South Africa had been 25.6 percent (Writer, 2016). One of the highest in the world. This lead to the increase in crime from 29.1 percent per 100 000 people from 1 march 2015 to 31 April 2016 (Anon., 2016). The high crime rate added more concern to my father as he feared what may happen to me in Johannesburg, which was ranked the 47th highest crime rate city in 2015 (Writter,