But if race is primarily cultural, a social construct like gender–then who gets to decide what race someone is?

But if race is primarily cultural, a social construct like gender–then who gets to decide what race someone is?

Discussion 1 Socialization

“Socialization is never total and never finished.”

(from The Social Construction of Reality , p. 157) 

But, what happens when you lack socialization?

The Extreme Cases of Feral Children:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151012-feral-the-children-raised-by-wolves

COVID-19 and Lost Socialization:

https://www.sharp.com/health-news/how-does-limited-socialization-affect-young-kids

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/04/lockdown-has-damaged-people-s-cognitive-function-but-socialising-can-bring-it-back

Overview Articles on Socialization

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7m1fFr2eQ

What Are the Primary and Secondary Agents of Socialization?

Chapter 5. Socialization – Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter5-socialization/

Response Prompt:

  1. In your own words, describe primary and secondary socialization. How are the two processes similar to and different from each other? Give examples to support your answer.
  2. While the content of our socialization can vary widely across cultures and classes, what are potential consequences of a lack of socialization?
  3. Explain why socialization, as the opening quote on this page states, “is never total and never finished.” 

Discussion 2Race as a Social Construct

 I think we have well-established the primarily cultural source of the reality of race. But, to complicate matters, here are some rhetorical questions to consider before listening to the podcast and answering the response prompts:

  • But if race is primarily cultural, a social construct like gender–then who gets to decide what race someone is?
  • Should people get a say in choosing to identify with a certain race or not?
  • Can someone become transracial, similar to how some people become transgender?

Podcast:

NPR Podcast: Invisibilia: What Does “Race is a Social Construct” Actually Mean? https://www.npr.org/2020/03/25/821450882/white-v-white

Response Prompt

  1. What percentage of race would you classify as rooted in nature (genetics) versus what percentage is rooted in culture? Give me two numbers that add up to 100%. Clearly indicate which number is which, and why you picked those percentages.
  2. Should people have the ability to select the race they want to identify with most? Why or why not?
    1. If so, should other people be permitted to contest some people’s choice and on what basis or criterion?
    1. If not, then who gets to determine racial categories (the Census? Lawmakers? Doctors? Biologists? Companies like 23andMe? Your friends and family? People with a good “race-dar” [like a gaydar for race]?) and on what basis or criterion? 

Articles to Read

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But if race is primarily cultural

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