Writing Assignment 1 Soc PDF

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Sociology assignment...

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Writing Assignment 1

SOC 203 301

In the film, The Weight of The Nation, the title is shining light on the social problem of Obesity in America. This problem was first documented in the 1980s and was titled the “obesity epidemic”. According to the film some historic trends regarding this issue include, “In 1969 42% of kids walked to school now more than 80% are driven to school.”. Also, “Since 1977 the consumption of sugary beverages has increased by 135%.”. These are huge differences in numbers. Also, according to the reading in the textbook Social Problems by Eitzen, Zinn and Smith, the person blame approach to social problems is the belief that all problems are solely individual and caused by the DNA and the nature of individuals. The film illustrates the person blame approach of obesity. It does this by discussing how we are not genetically engineered to turn down calories. This means that when we are eating a large portion there is often not a reflex to prevent overeating. The film also mentions how many health problems are laid down early in life when it is out of the individuals control. This could be anything, for example an overactive thyroid. According to the text there are many problems with relying too heavily on this approach. It is likely that social sources of social problems are ignored, which takes the blame away from society and makes it more unlikely for them to change. It may also reinforce negative stereotypes by controlling troubled individuals. Finally, it justifies social Darwinism, which is the belief that people are rich or poor because of their ability and effort or lack of it. However, this does not mean that individuals involved in the personal problem of obesity have no responsibility. In certain situations, people live an unhealthy lifestyle because it is more convenient for the busy lifestyle of their own.

On the contrary, the system blame approach to social problems is the assumption that social problems result some social conditions, like society. The film illustrates the system blame approach by showing how much society has changed to make this obesity epidemic occur. The film provides statistical facts and testimonials comparing how life was in the 60’s to modern day America. Some social level problems that have supposedly contributed to the epidemic are: physical activity is engineered out of our lives, portion sizes have increased, and the use of digital devices has increased, and there are more sedentary jobs. Physical activity has been cut short by the use of elevators, cars, and escalators. Portion sizes in other countries are half the size of ours, which is how America was 50 years ago. Today’s society relies heavily on digital devices to give them their leisurely “fix” instead of outdoor exercise. Desk jobs are increasing with the digital market booming. If obesity was only a personal individual problem there would be significant changes in obesity over time. This is because less people would purchase unhealthy food because it would be just as affordable and available as unhealthy meals, also it wouldn’t be as glorified to eat unhealthy because T.V. advertisements wouldn’t entice people to eat their food. This film also discusses the role of the U.S. government in subsidizing corporate agriculture in terms of commodity crops such as corn and wheat. This means that more farmers are going to grow a surplus of corn and wheat because they are getting funded to do so. Crops like corn and wheat are subsidized to keep food prices low and stable. The consequences of subsidizing these crops are a leading factor to the obesity epidemic. Corn and soy are in most processed foods and contain a lot of calories. Also, high fructose corn syrup is found in most sodas. Humans are unable to process this syrup and store it as fat.

The Weight of The Nation focusses mainly on the system blame approach because it goes into major detail with how the government and society made America a hostile environment for healthy eating. It is important to examine both the system blame and person blame approach because the answer of the issue is usually found somewhere in the middle of the two. The sociological imagination is a term created by C. Wright Mills meaning that means, “individual troubles are inextricable linked to social forces.”. The video illustrates the use of the sociological imagination in understanding social problems by not relying only on the person blame approach. The film instead shows how individuals may have obesity, but it is not entirely their fault. It focuses on the bigger picture which is that our society is not allowing us to endorse a healthy eating environment. I thought the chapter from Social Problems was very interesting by giving examples of social problems that we face in America. I also thought that it was helpful how it described the person blame approach to the system blame approach. The film was very informative and introduced me to a lot of facts I was not aware of before. I think that it is a great thing that people are bringing attention to this social problem and are actively trying to fix it....