Thanks for an enlightening discussion tonight! If you are unsure about how to blog, you can scroll down to see the Blogging Instructions.
Again, please type a 1-2 paragraph thoughtful statement about the following question by Sunday night and then respond to at least two of your classmates' posts by Tuesday's class.
Topic for the blog: Is it possible for us, as a society, to "change" people's behavior in order to solve social problems? If so, does it require certain conditions or perhaps does it only happen in certain ways? If not, are you suggesting that we are therefore powerless when it comes to solving social problems?
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We are not powerless when it comes to solving social problems i just think that it will take much more than just changing the behavior of people when trying to solve a social problem.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's possible for society to change a persons behavior to solve social problems. It can be "influenced" by society but not controlled. Society has laws in place in an attempt to control social problems yet the law is constantly being violated. Therefore, in my opinion it's up to the individual to change their behavior not necessarily society.
ReplyDeleteYes, i do think that it is possible to change peoples behavior to solve social problems. It can simply be done by setting examples for those comin up under us. For example if I dont hit my wife there is a chance that my son wont do it or my daughter wont stand for it, therefore eliminating some portion of domestic violence. So I guess i am saying that we r only powerless if you choose to be just like we discussed in class, i am a believer of being in control of your own destiny. Like Barack Obama said "YES WE CAN"!!!
ReplyDeleteIM OUT!!
I agree with Denise change is up to the individual. As for the society we can offer those that want to change resources that can help guide them in the direction they need to be in. I don't believe that we are powerless when it comes to solving social problems its more the problem of not all of us have access to the resources to help us in solving social problems. As for an example the amount of larcenies that we handle down at the courthouse is growing day by day as the economy gets worse. People are stealing groceries and clothes for their families. Some people that are committing such acts have never done this in the past. When the individual is asked why did they committ such an act they said that they did not know who to turn to or that they went for help at some agency but were turned down.
ReplyDeleteDontrell, I see what you are saying but even though I say no and you say yes, we share the same viewpoint in the end.
ReplyDeleteI have a childhood friend who grew up in a two parent home and his father is a preacher. Yet, he still "chose" to drink, use drugs and move from one female to the other bringing children into the world and then he bounced!I would think he had a good example to follow but he didnt.
I totally agree with your example and the fact that we are in control of our own destiny. This goes back to what I said earlier that we can influence people's behavior not change it. Society is not to blame or is powerless in any way. I remember the Million Man March where society came together to set an example and send a message to our brothers that they can do better. We also have Women's Empowerment so our sista's can see positive examples and hear the message that we too can do better. I am definitely in agreement with Barack's YES WE CAN movement but I would like to hear more people state YES WE WILL and follow through!
Society can dictate to people, how they would like for them to act. But reality says a person can only change by their own doing. I don't think it would be and easy task to change people overnight, or the problems we label to be social in society. There are major steps we can take, that can engage others into other alternative motives. But what society does today, will likely be the same hundreds of years from now. The mentality of our society as a whole has to change. I do feel were towards a better society/people though. After getting Obama for President a lot of our problems will deminish for the best. But for now a lot of our social issues are considered powerless. Their is no control with our government, communties, etc.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, in today's society i dont think u can change a person's behavior. A person's behavior will usually be the same thru out everything they do in their life. I mean everybody knows that with everything they do there are two out comes, the right one and the wrong one, te real question is which part of society see's which outcome as which... who is to say that that person's behavior is the wrong behavior or who is to say that that person's behavior is the right behavior...
ReplyDeleteI would say that we as an society are powerless when it comes to chageing someone's behavior. I honestly feel that a person will change if and only if their willing to change, a person can be force to change but may go back to their own ways simply because they were force to change. a person will only make a change on their own free will when they feel as if there's something wrong and they want to do something to fix it.
ReplyDeletewe as a society may suggest different ideas to someone and try to lead them into the right direction. ( ever heard the statement you can lead the horse to water but cant make them drink it).
there are many positive people in society some follow and others dont who are we as an society to say the way someone behavior is "not correct" maybe that's the only way they know, again we can suggest ideas but not change.
Brooks i totally agree with your comment, it goes back to our morals what society see as ethically wrong and right, good v.evil
ReplyDeleteI do not think that it is possible for us to change others' behaviors directly. However, I do feel that if we desire change from people, we can influence the change. Take children for example, children often are uneager to change their habits and ways because of parents' lack of the "practice what you preach" method. Because they see no example from their parents or guardians, they become complacent with their behavior. Some children have no understanding of the "do what I say, not as I do" method. It starts at an early age. Children are like camcorders and tape recorders; They see and here everything we do. As older (not elder... lol) members of society, we have to set positive precedents for children to follow.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible for us as a society to change people's behavior, however certain conditions do apply. As much as a society has a collective responsibility to help its citizens it is also an individual's responsibility to seek help. There are numerous social policies already in place that are designed to change behavior.
ReplyDeleteFor example, smoking in public places is being banned across the country in order to decrease smoking habits. However, it is still the citizen’s choice to quit. Social change cannot and will not occur without the support of the majority of society. That was the case in the past election.
Ms. Tunner i agree with your post until the last sentence, i dont believe by President Obama being in office that our problems as a society has deminished...i believe our problems as a society are being put on hold but will be brought up in the future...the problems are being overshadow by the people's exicitment thats going on over the world...people are happy that "all men are created equally" has been proven; prior to that all the other president couldnt relate on the middle-class lower class level "how it feels to go without", where Obama can. So the problems hasnt been deminish they just have been overshadow by peoples belief that change is going to come.
ReplyDeleteI do not know about changing peoples behavior in order to solve social problems. I feel that people has to want to change their behavior and then they can get the help that they need. But we are powerless when people do not want to change or take the help that is offered to them. That is a hard question for me to answer right now maybe when i learn more about social problems i can offer more of a answer.
ReplyDeleteI can't say if i agree with any one at this time because i just don't know to much that went on in class on Thursday because i was not there. Maybe i can get the notes and talk about it on Tuesday with someone the maybe i can get a better understanding of the question.
ReplyDeleteDonchelle, I agree and disagree with your statement. Ofcourse Obama being elected does not end all social problems, but it does represent social change. People who were considered Republicans changed their voting behavior in order to do what was best for the country. Racism and discrimination was apart of polictics for so long that it had been impossible to imagine that there would ever be a black president. However, for the first time in this country's history, society chose a person based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
ReplyDeleteOld adage once said in change comes time. and in time comes change. As we saw with the past election somewhat this adage is true. The only way we can have social reform is through a different mindset. In the MOVIE NOTORIOUS BIGGIE SAID IT BEST THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.WE FIRST WE MUST CHANGE OURSELVES.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think its possible for us, as a society to "change" people's behavior in order to solve social problems because if it wasnt possilbe, we wouldnt have a black president or a president with African American in him. I also believe that it requirs certain conditions because, once again, the reason that we have a black president is because of our economy going down, the war, etc. and people seeking change. The only way that people seek change is when things are not going the way that they want it to go or expected it to go.
ReplyDeleteWe can't solve a problem without first changing the behavior that is causing the problem. We need to have evidence as to "why" we should change certain behaviors, because most people need proof that their behavior is part of a problem. they need proof that our way is going to improve society or the situation being addressed at the time, if a person is doing something they don't realize it is part of the problem, or they wouldn't consciously being doing it, unless they are just deviant.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 25, 2009 9:37 AM
Dontario isn't it a behavior that causes a problem? Shawna-with that being said about our current president, is the behavior really going to change, just because we have a black president? It would be nice if behaviors did change, but is it a fad, because of all the hype, so when the hype dies down does the behavior and "good"feeling go back to what it was? and what if things don't change right away? will the behavior get worst?Jamaal i agree society has to change it self and attitude,individually first before changing others. we all should lead by example
ReplyDeletedontrell i cant agree because your kids may not see you hit on their mom but they still get exposed to it either threw television or friends. You cant be with them 24 hours a day and they could be spending time with the people that behave the exact way you shield them from.
ReplyDeleteCrystal even if society was to change there will still be people out there behaving badly. There will still be people out there committing crime and breaking the law. We have laws to keep society in order but every second a law in some form is being broken. People who have felonies they get no job. If they have no job then they will make a living doing the wrong things with the wrong behavior. If everyone in society was perfect and had everything equally then behavior could influence the social problem but society is not and it look like it never will.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement Shawna, in order for social change to occur society has to be deeply suffering. This was the case during the Civil Rights Movement. When blacks boycotted the busing system the southern economy felt the effects. Some white women changed their behavior and aided their employees (black women) in getting to work. The bus drivers were forced to change their discriminatory behavior and allow blacks to sit wherever they want. The Civil Rights Movement and other periods in history have proven that society can help to change behavior. I guess we can call this era "The Change Movement!!"
ReplyDeleteHey Donchelle, I feel exactly where your coming from. But as "it's a new day", like Will-i-am expressed in his song. Obama will progress change for our days ahead. Changing society and the people in it. Sure, our problems are not deminsh yet, but have been overshadowed for far to long, by previous Presidents and government officials. Obama is hear to focus on making our world a better place,for all people. In return the least we can do, is change our bad behavior to a good one. It starts with our inner self's to our outer exterior. But change can only take place when we motivate ourselves to change then someone changing us.
ReplyDeleteDontario I couldn't help to respond to your last post. I totally agree with you on the fact, that a rule is being broken every second in our society. Loss of Jobs are to blame for more crime in our communties. Lack of after school activites are also the cause for many crimes, among todays youth. The media can also be a prospect for how people act. Some people in sociey like to do what they see, and act like someone else, instead of being them. This so called inminatating has a lot to do with the way someone acts as well. Trying to be thuggish like Tupac, Lil Wayne, or T.I. is uncause for. Their celebrities your not. People need to learn to be themselves, and stop trying to be so called hard-core. This behavior that people have in our outside world is very cruel, hopefully people can take notice that change is possible. Obama is making change now, by being the First Black President in our lifetime. If he can do it, we all can, we just have to believe. Learning to change by our selves instead of having someone make us change.
ReplyDeleteDonchelle, I agree that by having elected our 1st African-American as President of the US, does NOT eliminate our our social Problems! We , Americans have played the "Race card" for a long time. For some, race was an issues on both sides of the coin. People change because THEY WANT TOO! Society can influence the change through the implementation of laws but, it is left to the individual to make it happen. Many of us are elated @ our new President and hope that through him, social relationships will improve.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is not possible for us as a society to change people's behavior. For centuries law enforcement and government have done everything possible to change people's behavior. For instance in England during the 1800's criminals were put to death through were called quarters. Quarters were horse drawn crotraption that consisted of rope. Ropes were tied to the person's hands and feet with a horse at both ends, and each horse would move in different directions tearing limbs of the suspect. With that extreme end looming you might think that one would be a bit more careful as far as crime goes.
ReplyDeleteEven with a deterent such as that people still went out and comitted crime. I don't feel that people are completely powerless to social problems, when poeple come together and tackle social problems great changes can occur.
Ms. Turner, i am responding to your last post about people trying to live their lives after rap stars, i mean inminating as you called it. Yes, people try to gro up and inminate what they see on tv, but they dont try to live their life just like the person they are following. They try to have a few certain similiarites, but that person is still themselves. Its not uncommon for a young teenager to try and be like their favorite artist, we as society just dont give a rapper a chance. When you hear something in the news, about a black artist, its usually becasue something bad has happen or something that society does not approve of.
ReplyDeleteI hope that I am blogging correctly, this is my first time doing this! To respond to the topic, no I do not think that if society can change a person, then the social problems we have will change. I don't think that no one can change another person,a person only can change when they are ready and if they do change it may not be what is needed to help the social problems, that we face, as a society.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that we are powerless, but I feel like everyone is responsible for self and the changes that they need to make in life. Even if a person change, that is only one person and that one person can not help the social problems that we have. I think that there are not enough people that will stand up and see the social problems that we have. As discussed in class on Tuesday people are silenced and even though they might feel that there is a problem that, one person can not change and make the social problems go away.
I don't think it's possible for society to change a persons behavior to solve social problems. As a society we are so worried about changing ones behavior and not looking at the reality of things and also realizing THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE A PERSON IF THERE NOT WILLING TO CHANGE!!! Sure we have the laws and even so much of the government but at the end of the day people are reliable to do what they want. Until we understand that you can't solve a problem without first changing the behavior that is causing the problem, society will always be a social problem.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Wilkins i totally agree with you that it takes more than society to change social problems, if a person is not willing to change there behavior how can we make them or better yet how could we help them?
ReplyDeleteI do believe we can change people's behavior to solve social problems. However, it is not easily done. It may take many years for the change to occur. Look how far women have been able to change their role in society. They have evolved from housewives to CEO's of companies. We now have an African American in the White House. We now have same sex partner health benefits. We prosecute white collar executives now for their greed. We prosecute people for hate crimes. The behavior of people initiates social change. We inspire each other to change to make the world a better place. If certain behaviors are emphasized in the first years of life and enforced throughout childhood,and as adults those behaviors will be deeply instilled in people and follow them through life. Social change involves negotiation among different interests on every level from deciding who does the laundry to organizing a group in a neighborhood to fight crime. I would like to hope we would never be powerless to change.
ReplyDeleteCandice, I agree with you. Especially with the fact that it takes a majority to affect change and people have to be willing to accept the change.
ReplyDeleteNnamdi, I do think we can change people's behavior with your example of crime. Not all people commit crimes so therefore, some do respect others and the law. I do agree that it takes many to change just a few minds about an issue that may impact society. There just seems to be force in numbers so that the more people that agree on something and fight it you gain the attention of those that can implement change.
ReplyDeleteA person will only change when a social problem effects that person, or his/her family. Their will always be social problems, every person has a different veiw of life. Yes we can change the behavoir of some, but you must fix the source of the problem first.Many times we only give a temporary fix to a permanent problem.
ReplyDeleteyes it is possible as a society to CHANGE people behavior in order to solve social problems. In this case to Change it would take many resources to assist different people and there issues that are forbiding them from being apart of the social change. once that is accomplished their behavior would be only focused on CHANGE...
ReplyDeletemdg, I am feeling what you're saying and I agree to a point. The individual must want change for him/herself. For change is the most difficult of social problems as it affects not one , but many.
ReplyDeleteBut, let us not forget the REBELS who may refuse change based on their own beliefs and will cont conform to any type of change on a said issue or social problem. For example, their are still many that disagree w/interracial marriage, even though it is an acceptable part of our culture. They,the rebels, see it as a cause of social problems, not a remedy.