Factors of Diversity in the Life Course Trajectory
Diversity is a reality in the United States, and being a member of a minority community (African American) it has an impact on the life of an individual and that of a group, such as a family. While we might be living and doing things together, such as getting an education, the diversity pervades very many areas of our lives with serious effects. The diversity is the foundation of the differences in values and beliefs, experiences that we go through, our backgrounds and the environment within which we grow up (Hunt, 2016). In essence, the diversity has serious effects on various aspects of our lives.
Effects of Gender
As an African American female, I should say that life has been with its challenges. There is a misconception within the society that men are stronger than women, but being raised in an environment where your only choice is to be strong, you have no other choice (Alwin, 2012). I believe that this aspect has been the basis for my determination to make it in life. I have worked hard to overcome the many stereotypes inherent within the society, especially those directed towards African American women. Being a woman has driven me to desire nothing but success for my family and me. I might not have a permanent and well-paying job, but I have been able to use what I get to further my education and also support my family. It would be unexpected within my community that a woman is the most successful and a pillar of the family. However, I desire to go against the odds and become a strong pillar for my family.
Effects of Race
Just as it was the case years back, the racial background of an individual still has serious implications on her life today (Alwin, 2012). Being African American has had major implications on my life and that of my family based on the history of discrimination, which my family has experienced at some point in life. As such, we resolved to stay close and work towards overcoming all the odds and succeeding even as members of a minority community. The values impacted on me by my family have been the driving force. Even in the face of challenges related to racial differences, I have not given up on life and my aspirations. In fact, I can comfortably say that my race has been a source of some challenges, but I have not allowed the challenges to interfere with my goals.
Effects of Age
At the age of 25 years, and being a member of the minority race in the United States has its implications. The age is very critical in the life of an individual. It is the time things change from being dependent to the family to being looked upon for some support, including material and even emotional. It is the age the society considers you old enough to make personal life decisions relating to work and even marriage. At this age, the pressure from within and from the society can be overwhelming. For instance, in my case, I have graduated from the college, and still, I have to settle in life regarding professional life.
Having grown up as a member of a family, the need for the support is still evident at this point. I still feel that I can count on my mother and my siblings for this kind of support. I have grown up with my mother and my siblings so we can still count on each other. Such a realization eases the pressure and the implications of being at the age of 25, a member of a minority class, and more importantly the fact that one has to settle in a career and family life very soon.
Effects of Socioeconomic Class
Diversity regarding socioeconomic status is common in life (Alwin, 2012). In fact, this factor has a connection to the social environment within which one is brought up. I should say that while we do not belong to the lower socioeconomic, we are from a middle class, which means that we have had our share of challenges achieving the American dream. My family background has driven me towards success although I have achieved it amid struggle. For instance, I had to work rigorously to achieve my education, especially after high school. I have continued with my education, and through working part time, I have been successful in completing my college education and remain positive about achieving all my career goals. I have also been able to provide support to my family with what I do in my part time work.
Special Events, Turning Points, or Dominant Themes in the History of Family
The life course theory underlies the reality that individual and groups, such as families will always go through critical changes or transitions, some with enduring effects. The theory is founded on some important principles, including the socio-historical and geographical location, heterogeneity or variability, timing of lives, “linked lives” and social connections, the effect of the past on the future, human agency, and personal control. In fact, there is no family without those critical moments, which have enduring effects and changes. For my family, the events include the death of my maternal grandmother who was a pillar of the family. In fact, my grandfather’s marriage after the death of my grandmother also had major changes in our family structure. Another event is the death of my paternal grandmother. Indeed, the two left a huge gap in my family. Being African Americans, having a key figure to identify with and to keep the family solid is critical. In fact, this is what was disrupted following the deaths. Another event was the death of my aunt, with whom I was so close. Losing a member of the family is not an easy occurrence to take. Among the positive changes have been the marriage of my cousin and the birth of my nephew who brought a lot of joy to my life.
Human Agency in Making Choices and Application to the Family
From the perspective of life course, humans are viewed as active agents with the capacity to umpire the effects of social structures (Blacksher & Lovasi, 2012). They are viewed as having the potential to make decisions and establish goals, which have an impact, not only in their lives but also on the social structures. From a personal level, I have made goals and decisions, which have been affecting my family and potential effect on the entire African American community. In essence, working as a social worker will place me in vantage point where I will be able to impact on the lives of the less fortunate members of my community. Currently, through my career choices and decisions, I have been able to get a source of income, which has supported my education and my family. For some people at my age, the burden of education would be borne by the family, but I resolved to do something different, where I would work and pay for my education. In this aspect, I have made decisions that have influenced my family and have the potential to impact on social structures in general.
Limits to Human Agency
Human agency suggests the capability of the active actor to perform within the limits of the environment. The idea is that in making the rational choices, goals, and decisions, there is a point to which the actor can reach (Blacksher & Lovasi, 2012). In addition, regarding the effect on the social structure, there is the limit to which the actor can have an impact. In my case, I have made my personal and career goals with the knowledge of the limit regarding my available resources. The capacity to make these goals and aspirations is dependent on the opportunities and constraints within my life. In essence, my life’s reality, given my social background has some dictates as to the highest point I can reach. However, I believe that I will continue going higher as I garner more resources, which will allow me to achieve my goals. I have strived not to allow my limitations dictate my life and will continue to do so as I climb higher in the ladder of success.
References
Alwin, D. F. (2012). Integrating varieties of life course concepts. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, gbr146.
Blacksher, E., & Lovasi, G. S. (2012). Place-focused physical activity research, human agency, and social justice in public health: taking agency seriously in studies of the built environment. Health & place, 18(2), 172-179.
Hunt, S. J. (2016). The life course: A sociological introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.
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