Bright Academic Experts

Category: Sociology

  • Reply to a discussion post (peer response)

    Prompt: Add a new example from a different video and show how it supports or complicates their argument.

    Peer Post:

    In Ethnicity and Identity, ethnicity and nationality are not the same thing. Ethnicity is more about shared culture, traditions, ancestry, and language, while nationality is about belonging to a country or nation. In the Peruvian Festival scene from Ethnicity and Identity, there is a blended identity because people are showing cultural symbols like traditional dress, music, and food, but they are also connected to a national identity at the same time. That scene shows that a person can carry both ethnic and national identity together instead of choosing only one.

    One constructionist concept from Chapter 4 is boundary. Chapter 4 explains that identity construction involves drawing a line between us and them, using markers like language, cultural practice, or behavior. You can see this clearly in Preserving the Ways – Culture and Traditions. The video focuses on Native Americans trying to keep their traditions alive, and those traditions act like boundary markers because they separate Native identity from the larger mainstream culture. Another concept is meaning. Chapter 4 says identity is not just about drawing boundaries, but also about attaching value and significance to the group. In Preserving the culture of the Co Tu ethnic minority people, the effort to preserve culture shows that traditions, practices, and heritage are not random things. They carry meaning because they tell people who they are and why their identity matters.

    Two identity pressures that stand out are in Preserving the Ways and Ethnicity and Identity. In Preserving the Ways, the pressure comes from historical suppression and the struggle to survive while protecting culture. That means outside power has often tried to define Native identity, but insiders keep asserting it through tradition and memory. In Ethnicity and Identity, the pressure is more about assimilation and cultural erosion. People may start losing language, traditions, or symbols as they blend into mainstream society, which makes identity thinner over time. I think a good example of cultural erosion would be Italian Americans in todays society. Over time the Italian culture has been dwindled down and some would even argue the culture is quite different compared to Italian in Italy.

    How do festivals, traditions, and cultural practices help a group resist assimilation while still adapting to modern society?

    Videos:

  • peer feedback reviews

    read these 3 feedback from my peers

    FEEDBACK 1

    The interview was very well done! The interviewee gave very in-depth and detailed answers, which was nice. She made strong points in her answers, and you could tell the interviewee seemed very involved in the conversation as well. It seemed more personal, which is always a good thing. I think the interviewer asked some pretty good questions as well. The works cited from the questions asked are missing, but I do see one at the end of the document. The theme coding for the transcript was also missing from the interview document. I feel like the analysis could’ve had more parts, but I can’t really tell since the coding for the themes wasn’t done. In addition to the analysis, a good connection was made regarding gender bias and how the interviewee had experienced it before. Another good connection that was made was regarding Crenshaw and intersectionality, and how it ties into the interviewees’ cultural background. Overall, the project was done well, minus a couple of small things that needed to be fixed. The small changes don’t make or break the assignment per se, but in the future, the critiquing can just be used as constructive criticism. Continue with the hard work!

    based on this

    rate how motivational it was on a scale of 1-4 (4 being the highest) and how critical it was on a scale of 1-4

    Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation motivational in 100 words, and Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation good critique in 100 words.

    FEEDBACK 2

    This student’s submission was good, and one of its biggest strengths was that the writing sounded natural and human rather than overly robotic or forced. The tone flowed well, and the response felt genuine and easy to read. It was clear that effort went into making the writing sound thoughtful and realistic, which helped make the assignment more engaging. The ideas were communicated in a way that felt authentic, and that made the submission stand out in a positive way.

    At the same time, I do think the assignment could have been stronger with more thoroughness in certain areas. While the overall response was solid, some sections could have gone into more detail or provided more development of the main ideas. A few points felt slightly brief, and adding more explanation or stronger examples would have made the analysis more complete and insightful. More depth would have helped strengthen the connection between the interview content and the writers discussion.

    I also think the transcript portion could have followed the instructions more accurately. Based on the assignment guidelines, the color coding was supposed to be included to clearly identify the themes throughout the transcript, but that was missing here. Since that was a specific part of the instructions, including it would have made the assignment more accurate and aligned with what was required. Overall, this was still a well-written and human-sounding submission, but it would be even better with more thorough detail and closer attention to the transcript formatting instructions.

    based on this

    rate how motivational it was on a scale of 1-4 (4 being the highest) and how critical it was on a scale of 1-4

    Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation motivational in 100 words, and Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation good critique in 100 words.

    FEEDBACK 3

    Hi Elizabeth! Great job on your interview assignment, the questions you have presented for this assignment are very clear and encourages the participant to want to give more in-depth answers. For example, your question: Have you ever experienced or observed inequality in the workplace or school based on gender, race, or background? Was a great answer to ask because it encourages the participant to reflect on real-life experiences with discrimination and inequality. I feel like these questions allow them to reflect on personal and/or observed situations they may experience which helps to uncover how race, gender, and background and influence people’s treatment and their opportunities around them. Which when reading the transcript of your interview, it clearly demonstrated that perspective going deep on expressing their experiences on it. I feel like things that I did feel like that could be worked on is the formatting since I do know that, correct me if I’m wrong. Must include “interviewer” and “interviewee” as well as the time duration of labeling and as they speak. I do believe you were supposed to highlight the themes that were mentioned inside the interview as well. You did, however, did a great job with citing the material that connects what was tied into the questions. Overall, you did a great job on your interview assignment.

    based on this

    rate how motivational it was on a scale of 1-4 (4 being the highest) and how critical it was on a scale of 1-4

    Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation motivational in 100 words, and Please help your peer better understand what made the content of their written evaluation good critique in 100 words.

  • Create a 350-500 discussion response

    Week 9 Discussion – Constructing Ethnicity

    Read/Watch

    Cornell & Hartman, Chapter 4: Constructing Realities / Constructing Ethnicities, plus the videos Ethnicity and Identity, The Struggles of the Ethnically Ambiguous, Preserving Hmong Culture: Life After War, and Preserving the Ways: Culture and Traditions.

    Videos:

    Initial Post: 350500 words

    Prompt: Using Chapter 4s constructionist perspective, explain how ethnic identities are made, maintained, and changed in the real-world cases shown across the videos.

    In your post, you must do all of the following:

    1. Define ethnicity vs. nationality using the Ethnicity and Identity video, and give one specific example from the Peruvian Festival scene that shows a blended identity (e.g., symbols, language, food, clothing).
    2. Apply two constructionist concepts from Chapter 4 (choose at least two): boundary; meaning; assertion vs. assignment; thick vs. thin identity; hidden ethnicity (optional). For each concept you choose, connect it to one concrete moment from the videos (quote or describe a specific scene/detail).
    3. Compare two different identity pressures shown in the videos. Choose two of these pairings: ethnically ambiguous identity struggles (Struggles of the Ethnically Ambiguous); cultural preservation after war and migration (Preserving Hmong Culture); cultural survival under historical suppression (Preserving the Ways); assimilation and cultural erosion concerns (Ethnicity and Identity). Explain how power and social expectations shape identity in each case (who gets to define the identityinsiders or outsiders?).
    4. End your post with one discussion question that invites classmates to respond (not a yes/no question).

    Citations: Use simple page citations for the chapter like (Cornell & Hartman, Ch. 4, p. __). If you dont have page numbers, cite by section/topic from the chapter (e.g., assertion vs. assignment section).

    Requirements:

    Spell check

    400 word minimum

  • Sociology Question

    I will attach the rubric make sure you follow it to the exact point and and do everything it says the paper should be from 700-800 words. do not use AI i will check it and make sure it is very good. Everything should pass the exemplary part of the rubric.

    Select the one side

    of the argument that you felt was most persuasive and share how the author was able to

    effectively justify their position and support their reasoning. State clearly what element

    of the argument was most persuasive and why. Also, find a weakness in the same

    argument and suggest how the author could have improved the writing. (If you cannot

    find a weakness, you should consider a different argument.)

    Your paper should contain the following:

  • Intro (including thesis)
  • Body of your paper:

    • o side of the argument you felt was most persuasive and why

    o weakness in the style of writing and suggestion on how to improve it

  • Conclusion

    • Your paper must be no less than 700 words, and must not exceed 800 words. Papers not

    meeting the word limit or exceeding the word limit will be penalized. You must use at

    least 1 outside source other than your book. Your paper must be clearly focused and

    well-reasoned. You must use APA style and provide appropriate parenthetical references

    and a reference sheet. Use appropriate grammar and organizational elements, as well as

    third person.

    Please refer to the grading rubric.

    The topic is: Are Vaccines Safe And Beneficial?“

  • Create two peer responses

    Main Prompt (Choose ONE Option)

    Option A: Thick vs. Thin in Action

    Pick one example discussed in the chapter (e.g., race in South Africa before/after apartheid, Italian American ethnicity, Asian American as applied to some groups). In your own words, explain:

    1. Whether the identity is thick or thin (and why)
    2. Whether it is mainly shaped by assignment or assertion (and why)
    3. What would have to change for it to become thicker or thinner

    Discussion post 1:

    Option A:

    Ethnic and racial identities are constructed through social processes that involve boundaries, meanings, and interactions between individuals and society. A boundary separates one group from another, while the meaning attached to that boundary helps people understand what the identity represents. These identities are also shaped by assertion, which is when people define their own identity, and assignment, which is when others label them. Over time, identities can become either thick identity or thin identity depending on how much they organize a persons daily life.

    One example from the reading is Italian American identity. The chapter explains that this identity used to be stronger earlier in the 20th century when immigrants lived in ethnic neighborhoods, spoke the same language, and mainly interacted with other Italians. Today it is more of a thin identity because it does not organize everyday life as strongly. Many people still identify as Italian American, but it mostly appears in traditions like holidays or family culture rather than shaping where they live or who they associate with. As the reading explains, Most may still identify as Italian Americans and may do so proudly, but, in fact, that identity organizes little of their daily lives (Cornell & Hartmann, Ch. 4, p. 79). In this case, the identity is mainly shaped by assertion because individuals choose to claim it rather than having it forced on them by society. For this to become a thick identity once again, I believe we would need to see more direct immigrants from Italy moving into these communities and re-instilling some lost traditions and values.

    A real-world example of this framework is the identity Asian American. Originally, it was often a label placed on different Asian groups by society, which is an example of assignment. Over time, some people began to embrace the identity for political and social unity, which shows assertion. This demonstrates how identities can change over time and become thicker or thinner depending on social circumstances. shows how identity is constructed through boundaries and shared meanings. The Hmong community maintains its identity through cultural traditions, language, and festivals, which help mark the boundary between their group and the larger society. At the same time, the video shows assertion because Hmong people are actively keeping their culture alive and defining themselves instead of letting outsiders define them for them. This can be understood as a more thick identity since culture, history, and community still play a strong role in everyday life. The video also shows that identity is not just something assigned by others, but something people continue to build and protect through their own actions.

    Discussion post 2:

    OPTION A

    1. Whether the identity is thick or thin (and why)

    Before the apartheid, the race identity in South Africa was thick. Meaning, race held a very vital and important role in society and identity of the region in general. Race at the time influenced where people could live, job opportunities, and treatment people received socially. During this time racial identity largely impacted everyones daily life. Many faced both positive and negative treatment solely for their identity.

    1. Whether it is mainly shaped by assignment or assertion (and why

    During this time the government and society assigned these treatments and bias based in racial identity. Everyone had an assigned social position, which impacted jobs and livelihood. Both the government and other institutions played a role in creating these social contracts and maintaining the assignment of social position.

    1. What would have to change for it to become thicker or thinner

    After the apartheid government ended race stopped playing such a huge role in daily life and stopped controlling a huge part of what your role was in the society. The Democratic government allowed for more equality and access to opportunities without the obstacle of your racial identity. Race is a very important part of identity and creating shared community. But it also doesn’t completely control who you can be or can’t be in society. Race still plays a huge cultural relevance and helps create a community, which is important. In order for identity to become thicker again, there would to be a societal shift in mindset by the government to create laws that make racial identity necessary to societal opportunities and treatments. Laws would need to be in place to maintain this and so would the people of the government in general would need to be on board with creating a world in which race determines everything.

    Requirements:

    You should write at least 100 words per response to both disussion posts.

    Reference the reading if possible.You may include a variety of the following: your own opinions, your own observations, a different perspective on the same topic, questions you have for the writer, facts you have uncovered through research, comments on the value of what the person wrote. However, simply agreeing or saying you like something doesnt count! You have to explain why and introduce new ideas into the conversation.

  • Sociology Question

    Sociology of Deviant Behavior

    The Saints and The Roughnecks assignment

    Remember, outside sources are not permitted, nor is the use of ChatGPT, Bard, or other forms of AI (with the exception of the editor function in Word).

    Provide a detailed summary (at least three paragraphs, with each paragraph having at least five sentences) of The Saints and the Roughnecks. As part of your summary make sure you demonstrate clearly, using evidence from the article, how it illustrates both labeling and conflict theory. If quoting a passage from the text be sure to provide a page number. Be specific and thorough.

    1. Describe the typical activities of these two groups of youths.
    2. What role did social class play in the experiences of these two groups?
    3. What were the consequences of being labeled positively or negatively for members of these two groups? Did the communities’ labels seem to impact them? How did members of these two groups turn out?

    If you are going to include a brief quote from the article use quotation marks, otherwise the words should be your own. Do not plagiarize or you will receive a zero.

    Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count. Proofread your work prior to submission.

    The assignment is worth up to ten points.

    Required Text: Patricia A. Adler & Peter Adler, Constructions of Deviance: Social Power,

    Context, and Interaction, 8th ed. (2016). Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.

  • Sociology Question

    We have been introduced to two broad theoretical perspectives to explain the relationship

    between schools and society – the functional perspective and the conflict perspective. (Chapters 1

    and 2 and my lecture slides)

    Functional theory generally sees schools as social institutions that help to create a common

    culture, teach needed skills, and to provide opportunities for individuals to become upwardly

    mobile in a meritocracy, thereby helping to reduce inequalities based on race, class, and gender.

    Conflict theory generally sees schools as social institutions that serve the interests of the

    dominant groups in society and help to reproduce the existing social inequalities that are largely

    based on race, class, and gender.

    Using information only from the text and lectures,

    1. Make the best argument you can from the functional perspective that schools help to

    reduce inequalities based on race, class, and/or gender in society. (Chapters 3,4, and/or 5

    and my lectures)

    2. Make the best argument you can from the conflict perspective that schools help to

    reproduce inequalities based on race, class, and/or gender in society. (Chapters 3,4,

    and/or 5 and my lectures)

    Each answer should be approximately 600-900 words (roughly 2-3 pages)

    A note on AI:

    I know it is tempting to use AI tools to research and write papers. Please resist the temptation.

    The Turnitin software raises red flags when it thinks that a submitted paper has inappropriately

    used AI to help write the paper. (I am aware of the irony of using an AI tool to detect AI

    plagiarism). In many cases, students arent even aware that some programs they use (such as

    Grammarly) use AI to help correct your paper and sometimes offer even more direct

    suggestions about how to phrase a sentence or organize a paragraph. Using such technically

    assisted writing tools violates the honor code. If Turnitin detects the use of AI I will reach out to

    you. Because the software does not always accurately detect AI, I dont automatically grade a

    paper down if AI use is suspected. But I will have a conversation with you about it and, at worst,

    Ill ask you to rewrite the answer. the resources you can use are in the files their are summaries of the chapters and lecture slides from the class.

  • Exploring forms of Government and Theoretical Perspectives o…

    Assignment: Exploring forms of Government and Theoretical Perspectives on Power

    In this assignment, you will explore the various forms of government and examine how sociological perspectives conceptualize government and power within society.

    Through research, analysis, and critical thinking, you will explore the different ways in which governments function and the sociological theories that underpin our understanding of governance and power.

    1. Conduct research on the various forms of government, including democracy, monarchy, dictatorship and oligarchy. Identify key characteristics, examples of countries that exemplify each form, and historical contexts that led to their establishment.
    2. Choose two contrasting forms of government (i.e., democracy vs. dictatorship) and analyze their structures, distribution of power, decision-making processes, and impact on society.
    3. Select a sociological perspective on government and power, functionalism, conflict theory, or symbolic interactionism. In your opinion, discuss how the perspective interprets the role of government in society, the distribution of power, and the maintenance of social order.

    Submission Instructions

    • Read the rubric on how you are going to be graded before you start to work on this assignment.
    • Your assignment should be:
      • At least 750 words and not more than 1500 words (not including the reference list or the title page).
      • Double-spaced in Times New Roman font, which is no greater than 12 points.
    • Support your arguments with sources and evidence.
    • Use high-quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas appropriate for the discipline and genre of writing.Explore additional details JSTOR, LIRN-Library, Google scholar

      Read

      1. Conerly, T.R., Holmes, K., Tamang, A.L., Hensley, J., Trost, J.L., Alcasey, P., McGonigal, K., Griffiths, H., Keirns, N., Strayer, E., Sadler, T., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Vyain, S., Bry, J., & Jones, F. (2021). Introduction to Sociology (3rd ed.). OpenStax. .

      • View the online book.
      • Read Chapter 17
        • Section 17.1 –
        • Section 17.2 –
        • Section 17.3 –
        • Section 17.4 –

      Chapter 17 of Government and Politics explores the structures, functions, and dynamics of political systems within societies. The understanding of power dynamics is discussed in this chapter. Sociologists examine how power is distributed within society, who holds it, and how it’s exercised. The chapter distinguishes between traditional authority (based on custom or tradition), charismatic authority (based on personal qualities), and rational-legal authority (based on laws and rules). Forms of government are explored and how political power is distributed and exercised within a society. The chapter explores some of the main forms of government, and how countries may exhibit elements of more than one form or may transition between different forms over time due to historical, political, and social factors. The study of politics in the United States is highlighted in the chapter as a complex interplay of institutions, parties, ideologies, interest groups, media, and public opinion. It reflects the country’s democratic values, historical legacies, and ongoing debates about governance, rights, and the role of government in society. An important aspect of politics in the United States is the success and validity of the election process. Chapter 17 concludes with theoretical perspectives on government and power. It examines how political institutions, authority structures, and power dynamics shape societies and individuals. It is important to note that sociologists use the framework of theoretical perspectives to gain insights on observations related to the study of power and government.

      • Read Chapter 21
        • Section 21.1 –
        • Section 21.2 –
        • Section 21.3 –

      In chapter 21, the study of social movements and social change provides a comprehensive overview of the origins, dynamics, and impacts of collective efforts to challenge, resist, or transform societal structures and norms. The chapter explores the diverse forms, motivations, and strategies of social movements, and their role in shaping social, political, and cultural change. The concept of collective behavior shows how social norms, group dynamics, and situational factors influence individual behavior. Collective behavior can have significant social and political implications. This can range from social movements and political protests to mass panics and riots. Three main theories of collective behavior are explored emergent-norm perspective which suggests that collective behavior emerges when individuals in ambiguous situations develop shared norms and behaviors to guide their actions. Value-added theory comes from the functionalist perspective that states that several preconditions must be in place for collective behavior to occur. The assembling perspective focuses on various categories of gatherings. Chapter 21 concludes with the varies causes of social change that include technology, social institutions, population and the environment. All of these can have an impact on when and how society changes. For example, innovations in technology can impact social institutions, communication, production processes, and daily life. Technology influences how society modernizes, particularly in the arena of industry and infrastructure. 2. Drew, C. (May 23, 2023). 35 Social Movement Examples. Helpful Professor.

      • The article provides an overview of what constitutes a social movement. It provides an overview as well as examples of historical social movements in American society.

      Watch

      1. CrashCourse. (2017, October 24). Politics: Crash course Sociology #30 [Video]. YouTube.

      • The video highlights the structure of politics and power. It also describes the different types of authority and briefly dives into the American political system. Sociological theories of power are explained.

  • Social Movements, Government & Politics

    Assignment Information

    Based on the readings from the unit, engage yourself in a discussion and answer the questions below:

    1. From the lens of a sociologist, can you describe the various forms of collective behavior? Please identify three forms of collective behavior and provide a personal or professional example. In your perspective, how do they impact social cohesion and individual behavior within society?
    2. Throughout American society, social movements have influenced the trajectory of social change. As it relates to social movements, what are the long-term effects of these movements on society’s policies, and institutions such as education? Please provide an example of a social movement from your country and the institutions, such as education, it has influenced.

    Submission Instructions

    • Your Discussion should be a minimum of 500 words in length and not more than 750 words.
    • You may use the course readings or any relevant source to respond to the questions and your peer replies.
    • Remember to locate, use, cite, and list references in all your discussion posts to validate statements of fact or corroborate personal opinions/points of view.

      Read

      1. Conerly, T.R., Holmes, K., Tamang, A.L., Hensley, J., Trost, J.L., Alcasey, P., McGonigal, K., Griffiths, H., Keirns, N., Strayer, E., Sadler, T., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Vyain, S., Bry, J., & Jones, F. (2021). Introduction to Sociology (3rd ed.). OpenStax. .

      • View the online book.
      • Read Chapter 17
        • Section 17.1 –
        • Section 17.2 –
        • Section 17.3 –
        • Section 17.4 –

      Chapter 17 of Government and Politics explores the structures, functions, and dynamics of political systems within societies. The understanding of power dynamics is discussed in this chapter. Sociologists examine how power is distributed within society, who holds it, and how it’s exercised. The chapter distinguishes between traditional authority (based on custom or tradition), charismatic authority (based on personal qualities), and rational-legal authority (based on laws and rules). Forms of government are explored and how political power is distributed and exercised within a society. The chapter explores some of the main forms of government, and how countries may exhibit elements of more than one form or may transition between different forms over time due to historical, political, and social factors. The study of politics in the United States is highlighted in the chapter as a complex interplay of institutions, parties, ideologies, interest groups, media, and public opinion. It reflects the country’s democratic values, historical legacies, and ongoing debates about governance, rights, and the role of government in society. An important aspect of politics in the United States is the success and validity of the election process. Chapter 17 concludes with theoretical perspectives on government and power. It examines how political institutions, authority structures, and power dynamics shape societies and individuals. It is important to note that sociologists use the framework of theoretical perspectives to gain insights on observations related to the study of power and government.

      • Read Chapter 21
        • Section 21.1 –
        • Section 21.2 –
        • Section 21.3 –

      In chapter 21, the study of social movements and social change provides a comprehensive overview of the origins, dynamics, and impacts of collective efforts to challenge, resist, or transform societal structures and norms. The chapter explores the diverse forms, motivations, and strategies of social movements, and their role in shaping social, political, and cultural change. The concept of collective behavior shows how social norms, group dynamics, and situational factors influence individual behavior. Collective behavior can have significant social and political implications. This can range from social movements and political protests to mass panics and riots. Three main theories of collective behavior are explored emergent-norm perspective which suggests that collective behavior emerges when individuals in ambiguous situations develop shared norms and behaviors to guide their actions. Value-added theory comes from the functionalist perspective that states that several preconditions must be in place for collective behavior to occur. The assembling perspective focuses on various categories of gatherings. Chapter 21 concludes with the varies causes of social change that include technology, social institutions, population and the environment. All of these can have an impact on when and how society changes. For example, innovations in technology can impact social institutions, communication, production processes, and daily life. Technology influences how society modernizes, particularly in the arena of industry and infrastructure. 2. Drew, C. (May 23, 2023). 35 Social Movement Examples. Helpful Professor.

      • The article provides an overview of what constitutes a social movement. It provides an overview as well as examples of historical social movements in American society.

      Watch

      1. CrashCourse. (2017, October 24). Politics: Crash course Sociology #30 [Video]. YouTube.

      • The video highlights the structure of politics and power. It also describes the different types of authority and briefly dives into the American political system. Sociological theories of power are explained.

  • Sociology Question

    Required Text: Paul Cromwell & Michael Birzer, In Their Own Words: Criminals on Crime, 7th ed. (2017). Oxford University Press: NY, NY

    Chapters seventeen and eighteen assignment

    NOTE: Points will be deducted for the inclusion of outside references. The resources you need to complete assignments are to be found in the assigned course readings. REMEMBER, the use of ChatGPT, Bard, and other forms of AI to complete coursework is defined as a form of cheating (With the exception of the editor function in Word, which you are encouraged to utilize.).

    Please make sure you write in complete sentence and paragraphs, using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation to the best of your ability. Your submission should be at least eight well-developed paragraphs.

    Chapter seventeen:

    1. Identify and discuss each of the three perspectives which inform the debate concerning the relationship between gangs and violence (304). According to the authors, which ultimately has garnered the most support? Be detailed and specific. (two paragraphs)
    2. How and why are violence and guns used to express masculinity? Are the authors saying that guns and violence are resources young males use to create a sense of self and identity? How and why does this happen? Be detailed and specific. (two paragraphs)
    3. Guns and violence are used by many American men, not just gang members, as resources in the construction of self and identity. How does their use by gang members differ, if at all? Be detailed and specific. (two paragraphs)

    Chapter eighteen:

    1. How does the status of female gang members differ from that of male gang members and how can female gang members increase their status within the gang? Be detailed and specific. (one paragraph)
    2. Describe the ways female gang members are victimized. Be detailed and specific. (one paragraph)