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The Lighter Side / Re: Demography, Genealogy and Sociology
« on: Thursday 10 January 08 00:35 GMT (UK) »
going to be serious for amo. 
Don’t knock sociology. I did a popular culture course with the open university in the mid 80’s and I found it incredible rewarding, if difficult. Yes it was full of isms but once I understood the relationship between politics economics and cultural forces it made so much clear. The FA as an organ of social control!! Um.
It has helped me understand myself my parents and their background so much clearer, it has enhanced my understanding. My interest is psychology, but sociology as well as history has knitted things together for me. Understanding the zeitgeist of the time has made the reality of the lives of my antecedents so close and real. I could see why they did the things they did and how they may have felt. When you understand what makes people choose their careers and life or have their destinies thrust on them and why they may have up sticks and moved to another country, or committed the crimes they may have done, you get closer to them. Economic and political forces influence decisions throughout history. As I learn about the lives of my ancestors I can see why people react the way they do today. When I think about the immigrants in the 50’s from the Caribbean and the immigrants from Kenya and Somalia not to mention those from Eastern Europe today I remember those coming here in the 15, 16, 18, 19 century who may be our ancestors certainly mine. Understanding the lives of our ancestors finding our blood connections can only produce a better understanding of why those who come here now do so, for a safer and more lucrative life for themselves and their families. Lecture over!
Don’t knock sociology. I did a popular culture course with the open university in the mid 80’s and I found it incredible rewarding, if difficult. Yes it was full of isms but once I understood the relationship between politics economics and cultural forces it made so much clear. The FA as an organ of social control!! Um.
It has helped me understand myself my parents and their background so much clearer, it has enhanced my understanding. My interest is psychology, but sociology as well as history has knitted things together for me. Understanding the zeitgeist of the time has made the reality of the lives of my antecedents so close and real. I could see why they did the things they did and how they may have felt. When you understand what makes people choose their careers and life or have their destinies thrust on them and why they may have up sticks and moved to another country, or committed the crimes they may have done, you get closer to them. Economic and political forces influence decisions throughout history. As I learn about the lives of my ancestors I can see why people react the way they do today. When I think about the immigrants in the 50’s from the Caribbean and the immigrants from Kenya and Somalia not to mention those from Eastern Europe today I remember those coming here in the 15, 16, 18, 19 century who may be our ancestors certainly mine. Understanding the lives of our ancestors finding our blood connections can only produce a better understanding of why those who come here now do so, for a safer and more lucrative life for themselves and their families. Lecture over!
