On my mind (in two parts) [semi-journal content]

In sociology, a social fact is a characteristic of society that exists in every culture and civilization, is external to us (that is, it has always existed before the present generation and that we are born into it), and inevitably influences and/or constrains our behaviour within our society. Law, for example, is a social fact: it exists in some form in every culture, and we are influenced and subjected to its implications from our moment of birth, for it has existed even before our generation's time. It is undeniable that social facts are inescapable and that they affect the way we conduct our daily lives.

Question:

From: Mildred
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 7:15 PM
To: Dr. W. Johnston
Subject: A sociologial question - just curious

Dr. Johnston:

I was a student in your fall term SOC 100 class and I'm curious if there is a sociological explanation for young adults' tendency to enjoy drinking to excess. Can the phenomenon be considered a social fact, and if not - that is, if it's only a current social norm - is there a way to justify challenging it?

There are people who believe that I have no right to challenge this norm, because according to them, "it has always been there" and therefore I must either conform or just ignore what's going on and stop trying to fight a battle that cannot be won. (Have these people simply gotten the definitions of social facts and social norms mixed up?)

Curious about your opinion,

Mildred
Engineering I

Look towards your future, near and far. In intoxication lie no lasting benefits: it does not solve your problems, does not fully heal pain, gives you headaches, and makes you no wiser or more knowledgeable. I have only seen my grandfather in a photo on the wall of my grandmother's old apartment. His alcoholism claimed him before my father's twenty-fifth birthday. What would it be like for your grandchildren never to know you?

I am ashamed to be part of this community, ashamed to be an engineer (for that is what is well-known of us), ashamed to be at post-secondary school, ashamed to be legal; For although being eighteen years old means so many freedoms, we are never free to hurt ourselves or others, or to put ourselves and others at risk of being hurt. We may have the freedom to choose to put ourselves and others in such danger, but we do not have the freedom to do it, because sooner or later, people will get hurt, and those of us who are responsible for it will know that they are responsible for our collective grief.

Answer:

From: Dr. W. Johnston
Date Sent: December 29, 2004 11:07 AM
To: Mildred
Subject: RE: A sociologial question - just curious

Hello Mildred:

While I am not familiar with the specific explanation for drinking to excess among young adults - I would think that it is a social fact - that it would be susceptible to sociological explanation - in conjunction with psychological and perhaps biological aspects of the phenomenon.

I would imagine that it is tied into cultural conceptions of identity and the transition to adulthood.

I think that you have every right to challenge that norm - the basis for the challenge would be other norms about controlling one's person, the frequent negative consequences attached to the behaviour, etc.

Whether or not you would be successful based on these objections is an open question.

Cheers

Waj