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Sociology Reflection.docx Size : 16.571 Kb Type : docx |
Short Paper #2: Socialization into a New Role
Moving to a new state by yourself where you have no family and no friends, could be defined as a major role change in one’s life. After graduating high school I wanted to move away from my small town to have an adventure and learn how to be independent women. What I didn’t realize was all the different role changes that I would be dealing with. All of a sudden I was deciding what I ate, when to go to bed, and when to do my homework. My parents weren’t there to help me figure out these small details in my life anymore and the only person I could rely on was myself. Not only that but I had to figure out where to live, sign a contract, pay rent, and even register my car in Utah. I also had to make new friends, all my friends back home that I grew up with were no longer there, and I was learning how to make adult friend relationships. It wasn’t easy sometimes but it was my decision to do this and I believe I am receiving more opportunities here in Utah then I am in Idaho.
In a way you’re kind of preparing for this role your whole life, your parents are teaching you how to do things on your own and when you see your friends growing up you want to do the same. One thing that was difficult, was being on my own and not always having my mom to talk to about my struggles during the day. Sometimes she was busy and I couldn’t reach her on her phone. Also learning how to get around in a new city was difficult, I have no sense of direction and I broke down and had to buy a GPS. Usually I would resort to calling my dad for directions or having him print them off the day before. When I first moved to Utah I had no place to live so I moved in with my friends grandparents. They showed me around town and some simple dinner dishes I could make for dinners. They were my go to people, before I started to establish friendships at college. These friendships helped my social self, before I would stay in every night and now I was beginning to establish those memories in Utah. Just when I thought I was learning from these friendships they were also learning from me how to be independent how to balance a check book, where to look for a place to live, how to do laundry, and even buy groceries on a budget. I wasn’t used to being around a lot of Mormons, yes there are some in Idaho but the environment here was totally different, so hanging out with my friends I learned those differences. These new friendships and roles I was taking on was a lot of responsibility and it did conflict with some relationships I had back home. For example being a sister, a friend, and a daughter, I realized though that those people back home were always going to be there for me no matter what because they supported me and my decision. This concept is called a role strain and some of my roles had to suffer for an amount of time before I could learn how to balance them all.
It was about a year after I moved here that I began to be comfortable in my new role in Utah, that I started branching out and started creating new roles for myself. One thing I did this year was take a chance and apply to be a part of student life and leadership as a student senator. I got the position and started making new friends and speaking with deans and directors at Salt Lake Community College. I saw a more professional role in my life; I was earning money for my education and learning things that couldn’t be taught in any classroom. I think my self-image has drastically changed because of many people and the many new roles I took on, I feel more confident in that I can do anything I dream of and talk to anyone. I don’t think I would be who I am today if it wasn’t for this decision I made, I love taking on new roles and succeeding in the.
