Social_Sciences_Tma01

The most important part of our society are the social lives within it. When changes occur we see differences and inequalities being made. I will make comparisons between City Road, Cardiff and the High Street. You will see how inequalities can be similar in these very different locations. We will learn how many factors affect what differences and inequalities are present at any given time in any given society, people, money, gender, age are to name but a few. In Errol, once an industrial village, only a handful of businesses survive. In the past one hundred to one hundred and fifty years, there has been a steady pattern of change to society. There was a High Street full of shops which have almost all closed down. Businesses like the sawmill, coffin factory and brickworks have all gone. Now there are two grocers, a butcher, post office and hairdresser. With the loss of jobs in the village-many people owned or worked in the shops, banks, hotels-the village lacked sufficient money to live at a standard considered normal for that time. Here, inequalities began with the closure of many of the village businesses. Villagers had to find work outwith the village. This made differences in the social structure. Rural tracks became roads, allowing cars and buses to commute out of the village, giving people the opportunity to leave the village for work. People were earning more and the economy picked up and with it society did too. Differences evolve here through earnings, employment and belongings. On these streets, the differences created in the past can now be historically or socially different, but socially accepted. On Errol High Street, a building that was once a library one hundred and fifty years ago was been converted into flats around eighty years ago. Changes were made when landlords needed money from their properties, when industries were faltering around the area. The flats were priced at the higher end of the market, preventing any of the local farm workers, joiners and other tradesmen and their families from owning one. Today the library flats are all owned by a landlord with the rent being mid-range in the market. Inequalities were created here by the landlords who wanted to make money. Employees of work that was low paid had no means to even rent one of these flats. We are introduced to the sports club in Cardiff in the 'Making Social Lives DVD'. It is relatively new, built on the grounds that once held the homes of land owners. They (The landowners and landlords) were seen as upper class in the industrial times of the city and the village, therefore creating differences and inequalities both socially and historically. The new sports club is watched from afar by the local people who do not venture near as they believe it to be a private members club. They see the club as daunting – it has high fencing and looks expensive. Local people feel excluded. They see users from outside areas and this makes them feel disconnected from social activities. Buildings change Society in other ways. When an immigrant from Britain or abroad moves into a new home or business, many aspects of social lives can be affected. Disconnections are made if that person is originally from a different place. In 'Connected Lives DVD' we meet Nof, a restaurant owner of the Hawaiian and the Mezza Luna on the City Road. He has multiple identities including those of his Iraqi and UK national identities. Although he has connections to both countries he feels out of place in either. This affects Nof's sense of belonging, and showing our identities are partly given to the wider community, by the way others see us. Nof has been working in restaurants in Cardiff for many years but for some white Welsh nationals, Nof's colouring and accent continue to show him as ethnically or racially different. When a national identity is changed, other identities may change also. Nof moved to the UK as a qualified engineer but struggled to find a position of this type. He started in the restaurant business and has been successful. Many migrants are forced to take jobs in sectors which are lower or under paid, creating inequalities among people by the jobs they are able to achieve. In conclusion, we see a number of factors cause differences and inequalities within society. We have seen how they are affected by people, money, nationality, gender and age. I have aimed to cover some of these reasons and have detailed aspects of social lives in City Road, Cardiff alongside High Street in Errol, Perthshire. References 'Case Studies in the social sciences' (2009) Making Social Lives [Audio CD2], Milton Keynes, The Open University. 'Reflections on Connected Lives' (2009) Making Social Lives [Audio CD2], Milton Keynes, The Open University. 'The Street' (2009) Making Social Lives [DVD], Milton Keynes, The Open University. 'Making Social Lives on City Road' (2009) Making Social Lives [DVD], Milton Keynes, The Open University. 'Connected Lives' (2009) Making Social Lives [DVD], Milton Keynes, The Open University. Taylor, S., Hinchliffe, S., Clarke, J. and Bromley, S. (eds) (2009) Making Social Lives, Milton Keynes, The Open University. Melville, Lawrence. (1935) Errol: its Legends, Lands and People, unknown publisher. Self-Reflection I found this assignment informative and interesting. It gave me insight into what happens on British streets today as well as the society in which we live. When doing the assignment I found it difficult, at times, to convey the facts and ideas in a way which would be understood.