The Difference Between Private Troubles And Public Issues
Assignment One is a practice in using your sociological imagination. It requires a strong understanding of the difference between "private troubles" and "public issues." The more detailed your answers the better. For numbers 3-7 you should aim for a minimum of 5-6 sentences each.
First, you'll be constructing a person (no. 1 & 2).
Next, you'll be using your sociological imagination to demonstrate your understanding of Mills' concept (no. 3-7).
Choose from one of the following private troubles/public issues to complete your assignment:
1. Obesity
2. Drug abuse
3. Domestic violence
4. Unemployment
5. Teen pregnancy
6. Eating disorder
7. Bankruptcy
8. Divorce
9. Alcoholism
10. Suicide attempts
1. What is your person’s name?
2. What is your person’s personal private trouble?
3. How might this private trouble also be considered a public issue (ie. political climate, economics, historical context, geography, culture, value system, social norms, unemployment rate…)? In other words, identify & discuss one or more structural problems within society related to the personal trouble.
4. How might your person’s personal biography and group membership [ie. race, class, gender, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, generation, place of birth, household income…] influence the situation?
5. How might this situation be different for someone who lived in another era, culture, place or who was a part of different social group/category?
6. What are some possible public solutions to your person’s private trouble (provide at least two).
TIP: Be sure you're using public solutions here. In the past, I've had students tell me what their individual could do to improve things. You've got to go big here. Your shifting from the personal to the public.
7. How does Mill’s sociological imagination help us use our creativity to promote social change regarding the public issue surrounding your person's trouble?
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