“There is a particular set of rules that govern social
relations in each of those spaces.”
Social norms, those who don’t follow are weird or negatively
labelled, however, people who step out of line and out of the norms are usually
the ones who change things. The Suffragettes and civil rights activists changed
fundamental parts of society by dismissing those rules. Of course, these groups
fel the full wrath of the public attacking them for their rebellious acts.
These don’t need to be protest pieces though; in Japan, subcultures of fashion
such as Lolita, reject the social norm of women aspiring only to marriage as
they grow older. The fashion isn’t harmful, or even visually offensive, but echoes
childlike tones to reject the expectations placed on adult women. The chapter
talks about a prep school, rich boys learning how to be “rich boys.” Many of
the UK Prime Ministers all attended the same schools; Eton, Harrow, and
Westminster. There’s a clear connection to societal schooling and people in
positions of authority. If you’re like ‘them’, you’re in the club.
“Once-authentic cultural acts have been subsumed by capitalism.”
Things cultures used to do, isolated, have naturally changed
and been altered with the development of society. Examples of this would be culturally
significant tattoos being done on the body instead of with early body
modification instruments because it makes the process less painful, it’s
easier, and it’s a beneficial alteration to keep the practice alive. However, capitalism
alienates us from our culture by manufacturing desires that take our attention
away from our heritage and culture. Beauty ideals is a good example of this; some
cultures and typically religions uphold certain beauty ideals and items that
come with that. A bindi, for example, is a piece of Indian culture through Hindus
and Jains. However, capitalism is closely linked with fashion in how it churns
out new trends, the fashion world projecting new “must-haves” for us to buy
then disregard for the next month’s ideals. Throughout modern history, the
bindi has been subject to the removal of any significance because of the
fashion machine; Gwen Steffani sported one often throughout the 90s, along with
various other singers throughout the 00’s, and even now it’s seen in festival culture
like Coachella. A similar thing has happened to the Native American headdresses,
typically reserved for leaders of Nations.
For my project, I've started an Instagram Page for women that have influenced Criminology in different ways, beyond just writing legislation. If you're curious, feel free to have a look! I already have two posts up.
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