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Jack Whittaker Family Analysis

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Jack Whittaker middle-aged Virginia Man who was president of a construction company. Jack was a simple man who wore a cowboy hate many of the locals knew him as a nice although a bit of eccentric happy many who lived life as large as his giant cowboy hate. He and his family were well liked by their community and was a successful a millionaire before he won the lottery. In 2002 Jack Whittaker would win the 314 million in the Powerball multi-state lottery which at the time was larget pot ever won by a single person. In the decade after he won he has lost most of his money has had several brushes with the law gotten divorced, lost his granddaughter and daughter to drug overdoses. He 's also been robbed multiple times and has been sued by a casino …show more content…

Many sociologists such as Durkheim the progenitor of the concept look anomie as a way of explaining the breakdown of people morals and values. Durkheim also looked at anomie as a concept that could be both a positive or negative events in someone life. The story of Whittaker family is the story of a relatively humble well manner decently well-off family turning for better or worse into crazy outlandish celebrities that you see on reality television. Durkheim argued that the sudden change in life could bring about a rapid social issue one might not expect. This directly relates to the disintegration of the Whittaker family a relatively well-off normal family experienced an immediate change in their lives. The breakdown of their normal lives due to money and fame change the Whittaker family. Jack a once well manner generous guy became controlling, ignored his family and instead of perusing the charity work he emphasized when he first won the …show more content…

I think a sociological explanation is very fitting for this story especially in the context of the realm anomie, ideology power, and even social control. I think what happens to the Whittaker family can happen to other people but their situation was unique given their previous lifestyle and financial situation of the family. I believe that Berger particular beliefs in sociology especially those on anomie and social control relate heavily to Rich Man Poor Man Reading and his background sociology and relgioon offer up a good explanation for the situation and tragedies that Whittaker family

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