Discuss Pierre Bourdieu's (1984) theory of the relationship of the body to class position in society.

What will be an ideal response?


Bourdieu viewed health as socially patterned and reflected in the human body. In Bourdieu's theory, health is a source of capital. That is, we can use health to gain valued social goods-jobs, education, and social status. As such, a healthy body represents a form of physical and symbolic capital. Furthermore, he argued that the body is inscribed with cultural and social relationships. To support his argument, you can examine the eating habits in different classes in society. Affluent individuals tend to have a more high-quality diet, whereas individuals of lower socioeconomic status have lower quality diets with poor nutrition.

Sociology

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Malthus argued that, if left unchecked, the earth's population would exceed the __________

a. technological ability to increase the food supply b. available food supply c. overall ecological balance d. earth's water supply

Sociology

______ is an idealized vision linked to patriarchy, a society dominated by men.

A. Hegemonic masculinity B. Masculinized society C. Proletarianism D. Oligarchy

Sociology

The United States is a mostly capitalist nation because ________

a. the vast majority of productive businesses are privately owned. b. we have a system of free elections. c. of our high living standards. d. of the extensive government control of the economy.

Sociology

Newman argues, "For black women, interracial sexual contact was more likely to be a punishment in itself rather than the reason for punishment." Explain why.

What will be an ideal response?

Sociology