The Power And Influence Of Vulnerability, Middle Class In China, Teaching Girls Bravery, And Empathy In Society

1. Discuss the following quotation the TED Talk Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability.

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability#t-871404

“Of course, power does not reside exclusively in conventional political institutions, such as government. It is everywhere — throughout daily life. Knowledge, for example, is equated with power. Celebrities have power to influence the moods, aspirations and even political actions of their fans. We speak of the power of music and education, and even the power of love.” (P. 139)

2. Discuss the following quotation the TED Talk David Michael: How to connect with the emerging Chinese middle-class.

https://www.ted.com/talks/david_michael_how_to_connect_with_the_emerging_chinese_middle_class

“Despite all the theoretical rigour that has been applied to understanding the working class, scant attention has been paid to theorising the underclass (that is, the ‘working poor’ and the unemployed). It is often taken for granted that this class just ‘is’; but we can use our critical sociologist’s eye to unpack the characterisation. (P. 109)

3. Discuss the following quotation the TED Talk Reshma Saujan: Teach girls bravery, not perfection.

https://www.ted.com/talks/reshma_saujani_teach_girls_bravery_not_perfection

“These rules are invisible, are all around us, and in many ways are essential to the smooth running of our society. Some are about manners and behaviour; others are about learning what is considered ‘normal’ and ‘natural’; and there are even some about our desires and hopes. Some are explained to us, while we learn others by observing and no one really tells us why we do them. The law enforces some, while others are enforced just as heavily by the weight of the opinion of those around us.” (P. 5)

4. Discuss the following quotation the TED Talk Sam Richards: A radical experiment in empathy.

https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_richards_a_radical_experiment_in_empathy

“Developing a sociological imagination allows us to think ‘outside the square’. Mills (1959) defined sociological imagination as ‘the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society’.”(P. 23)

The Relationship Between Power and Vulnerability

1. Power is typically being perceived to be correct and legitimate. Power or structures of power does not necessarily exist in usual political institutions associated to administrative agencies or government. Power exhibits a propensity to dwell across the society. Over decades, diverse range of social theorists has purposed to document immense ability of power to act efficiently and attain opportunities as well as resources (Arvanitakis 2016). For Foucault, aspects of power and knowledge are not perceived as autonomous elements but tend to be highly inextricably associated. Thus knowledge is fundamentally recognized as an exercise of power while power essentially perceived as a function of knowledge and competences. It has been argued that discipline is perceived as a significant mechanism of power which intends to regulate perceptive and behaviour of actors playing in the society through subtle means (Arvanitakis 2016). Furthermore, the uncomplicated way of comprehending aspects of power is to perceive its concepts as facilitating the likelihood of imposing individual’s determination or self-control pertaining to the conduct of others. However understanding the underlying conjectures of power that is at play within societal contexts, its four crucial dimensions must be taken into utmost consideration namely overt, covert, disciplinary and relational power. However while identifying the true dynamics factors of power, factors related to dominance, authority, control exhibit a great level of propensity of being misinterpreted.

Several studies have revealed the way power and its related factor authority and influence fundamentally serve a decisive role but a diminutive section sheds light on factors related to vulnerability or weakness which also exhibit a propensity to change the world. Vulnerability is fundamentally been considered as forms of uncertainty, intricacies, risks along with emotional exposure (Arvanitakis 2016). Academic Brené Brown in a talk show has shared the individualistic experiences she had encountered and her acceptance of such vulnerable situations have facilitated her in achieving success in the future (Brown 2010). Not only power but contexts emerging susceptible circumstances also enhance an individual’s capacity to contest with critical forms of ambiguity and risks in the society. Brown’s susceptible rearing since her childhood has played a decisive role in aiding her to cope up with any forms of emotional intricacies (Arvanitakis 2016). At certain junctures, incapability to incline towards the suffering of vulnerability or weakness tends to hinder the comprehensiveness of the vital experiences which are produced with critical forms of ambiguity such as affection, attachments, happiness and ingenuity (Arvanitakis 2016). Thus by drawing significance to Brown’s perspectives it can be stated that dimensions related to power can be comprehended in diverse ways and no distinct connotation can provide explanations to the way power works in contemporary societal context (Brown 2010).

The Emerging Middle Class in China as a Determinant of Domestic Socio-Political Advance

2. According to Marx’s theoretical understanding, the analysis of social class, class structures and developments in those structures are essential to comprehend concepts related to capitalism along with other social mechanisms or modes of production. Classes are typically being defined as well as structured by relations that tend to cast light on factors related to work and labour and property possession as well as the means of production (Arvanitakis 2016). However these economic aspects regulate social associations in process of capitalism. In recent years stirring level of attention has been paid to the Chinese middle class as a potential determinant of domestic socio -political advance. For past decades studies on class and social stratification have been significantly concerned with two vital concepts namely class structure which incorporates class location and class relations as well as class agency that includes the augmented realization, structural formation of class. Furthermore one of the critical constraints in the process of obtaining a consistent socio-political purpose towards the Chinese middle class has been concerned about the distance Chinese middle class has from being developed as a homogeneous group. Family conditions as well as marital status along with the age and Communist Party membership have all been witnessed as critical influencers of subjective class identities (Arvanitakis 2016). However realism lies on the official discourse on ‘xiaokang’ society which is regarded as a considerably prosperous society and the “middle class society”, the notion of being developed as a middle class as deeply had been integrated in perceptions of Chinese. David Michael, renowned leader of Boston Consulting Group and a marketing expert of China’s business revealed the way the explosive expansion of emerging middle class of China has aided economic development as well as social transformation (Michael 2013). Such a persistent expansion is anticipated to be enhanced by extensive labour market along with policy initiatives. These policies not only raise the Chinese wealth but further stimulate financial reforms which encourage employment as well as income development and further support in improving level of income accumulation to China's middle class households (Arvanitakis 2016). However it has been observed that such a class relation within the bourgeoisie middle class has led the upper middle class of China to emerge as an essential driver of consumer spending over the following decades (Michael 2013). Chinese middle class playing as a elementary determinant is predictable to be more globally apprehensive class which will aim to perform inconsistent impact in the market.

Teaching Girls Bravery for Success in Society

3. Industrial Revolution witnessed capitalism as an organising principal of society whereby science and discipline developed as a fundamental source of knowledge after reinstating ideas of religion and fallacy. The suppression of such ideas resulted to the development of the new concept of social development or progress (Arvanitakis 2016). The transitions brought about by such significant revolutions casted light on the way societies can alter both gradually as well as rapidly. Moreover these revolutions change the structure formation of societies, the role of individual along with the associations which prevailed within the societies. These three magnitudes namely collective structure, the individual and associations are individually considered to realize the suppositions of the society. Furthermore while the field of sociology has been concerned about the social transformation across societies, cultural analysis deliberated to perceive at ordinary people and the way the act in the society. Studies have observed that the status of women in the society to be a complex. While functionalism claimed that gender inequality to be dominant in the society whereby, the role of women is to be confined within the four walls of the house in order to socialize their children so that the society can advance. Whereas Parsons was of the opinion that the role of women within the family as highly expressive and reflective. The underlying assumptions of these gender difference lies beyond the conjecture of the gender socialization of risk taking (Arvanitakis 2016). Considerable studies supported the proposition that women exhibit significant divergences from men in psychological perspectives. Furthermore to a great extent society proposes varied rules and accountabilities to men and women (Arvanitakis 2016). Gradually women and men tend to develop various characteristics which make them diverse from each other. However scholars have been categorising these varied distinctiveness into two significant groups concerning masculinity and femininity. Society has been witnessing such risk taking approaches as an apparent masculine character. Such an approach has been concerning Reshma Saujani, a reputed founder of non profit organisation called “Girls who code” who revealed the way society socializes girls to be perfect and boys to be brave in a famous Ted Talk Show (Saujani 2016). By developing important statistical approach through her revelations Saujani has provided an explicit understanding of the foundation of wide-ranging level of mental and emotional suffering which women have been encountering at several aspects of their lives.

4. The term sociology essentially reflects the constructive project of understanding the social world with a scientific and rational approach. This approach had probably been immensely decisive until the 1960s. However contemporary days observe that sociologists recognize this approach as inherently challenging (Arvanitakis 2016). Sociology being a significant part of the society it is nearly impossible to stand outside of society in order to perceive it with an objective analysis. Thus there can be witnessed a diverse method that needs to be permissible in order to reflect on certain indications of society such as experiences, events, empathy and knowledge. However at certain times drawing on knowledge or experiences not implementing in an insightful approach are recognized to be not sociological. Such a critical challenge signifies addressing to aspects of sociological imagination (Arvanitakis 2016). The concept of sociological imagination had been developed by CW Mills who referred relationship between ‘private troubles’ and ‘public issues’ whereby private happiness and contentment can be considered to be as relevant as public intricacies or challenges. Furthermore it has been observed that sociology does not divulge high degree of proclivity towards empathy. Though factors related to empathy can be useful in the field of history while posing a query related to the explanation the historical figure involved in certain major decision making process (Arvanitakis 2016). However it has been noted that aspects associated to empathy or its causes are typically viewed to be fundamental aspect of being a human with affirmative attribute. Furthermore on the other hand the implication of empathy in broad array of both academic and non-academic realm essentially signifies a primary need of knowledge. Sociological values and principles indicate to the importance of the development of thought assessment in the sphere of teaching empathy. Contemporary sociologist Sam Richards in one of the famous episodes of Ted Talk exposed specific circumstances where the tenancy of the USA has been shown in the pursuit of American coal (Richards 2010). The situational context aimed especially for American audiences further revealed the areas where individuals can develop the understanding of empathy and at least for once observe things from others perspective. Such development of learning may typically be obtained by comprehending others’ life experiences (Richards 2010). Thus in Australia people can develop the perceptive or provide insights about empathy by posing queries to read about the life story of stolen generations of the Indigenous communities (Arvanitakis 2016).

References

Arvanitakis, J. 2016. Sociologic Analysing Everyday Life and Culture. Oxford University Press, pp. 1-320. Available from: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=WPYIswEACAAJ&dq=Sociologic:+Analysing+Everyday+Life+and+Culture+Pap/Psc+Edition+by+James+Arvanitakis&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW1ejW8f_cAhUaOisKHYmUB54Q6AEILzAB.[Accessed on 22nd August 2018. ]

Brown, B. 2010. The power of vulnerability. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability#t-871404 [Accessed 22 Aug. 2018].

Michael, D. 2013. How to connect with the emerging Chinese middle-class. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_michael_how_to_connect_with_the_emerging_chinese_middle_class [Accessed 22 Aug. 2018].

Richards, S. 2010. A radical experiment in empathy. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_richards_a_radical_experiment_in_empathy [Accessed 22 Aug. 2018].

Saujani, R. 2016. Teach girls bravery, not perfection. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/reshma_saujani_teach_girls_bravery_not_perfection [Accessed 22 Aug. 2018].