Name: Hommer John D.

Hetil

Code: GE1 (1513)

1. Indicate the key characteristics of modernity and explain.

 Role of internal and external forces

The development of modernity is largely due to the interplay of internal and
external forces. The west made its identity in relation to endogamous factors
emanating from America and Europe. For instance, the invention of steam, an
endogamous factor, influenced the whole production system. But, the European
modernity was also influenced by the colonized countries. These countries provided
raw material and new market. Thus, the development of modernity has been the
outcome of internal and external factors.

 Growth of capitalist market relations over global scale

Modern capitalism gets very much organized at international level. There are
formal institutions which promote capital market at a world level. But, the industrial
capitalism is not without its evil effects. There have emerged striking patterns of
social inequality, there has come a serious divide between the rich and the poor.
Distinctive class relations, based on those who own and control the means of
production and those who only have their laboring power to sell, have become
serious.

In these developing countries new social strata and occupational groups have
emerged. Modernity also initiated ‘new’ social movements, which put forward their
competing demands. As a result of these processes there have come into existence
complex patterns of asymmetrical life chances, both within nation-states and
between them.
  Modernity is loneliness, competition and dissatisfaction
It must be mentioned here that modernity emphasizes on individualism.
Though there is crowd and cosmopolitan city life, the individual always finds
himself lonely. He is isolated and alienated from the masses of people. He
lives a very hectic life, always coming from house to market, office or
workplace. This has landed him into mental stress. In the western countries,
the wide prevalence of tension and strain is due to modern hectic life.
 Modernity is latest

There are sociologists who characterize modernity with historical periods. It is an

evolutionary process. There was renaissance followed by enlightenment and
modernity. Modernity is considered to be the latest in the world. However, in the
western world, post-modernity is said to be the latest shift. Despite this, in the
developing countries, modernity is even now taken to be the latest process of social
change. Thus, from historical and evolutionary point of view, one of the
characteristics of modernity is its latest form.

 Proliferation of consumer products and emerging new lifestyles

Modern societies are increasingly characterized by their complexity. There has

been a wide growth of consumer products. And, this growth has made the modern
society a consumer society. Consumerism, as is usual, gives emergence to a variety
of lifestyles. In this process, traditions get weakened.

The individual does not go by the dictates of societal traditions. His choice of
consumer articles, therefore, becomes his personal choice. Emphasis on personal
life and on the spheres of intimacy has weakened the boundaries between the public
and private. Nevertheless, this greater cultural pluralism and individuation has been
accompanied by a growth of organizations from hospitals to schools seeking greater
regulation and surveillance of social life.

2. What is the value of culture to the society and self (yourself)

 Culture helps define how individuals see themselves and how they relate to
others. Remember that individuals differ in many ways like language
diversity, cultural diversity, gender diversity, religious diversity, and economic
diversity.
 It is important for us to respect others cultures and to acknowledge and
understand that individuals may not develop a sense of self in the same
manner.
 Culture influences whether and how you value traits like humility, self-
esteem, politeness, and assertiveness. Culture also influences how you
perceive hardship and how you feel about relying on others.
 Culture moderates the level of self-esteem in an individual because it
contains certain aspects of their lives, such as their values and beliefs, which
become the forefront of how one measures their worth.
 The culture in which we are surrounded by has a significant impact on how
we feel about ourselves and the manner in which we think about our body.
Many cultural traditions also contribute to body image and can influence
either negative or positive body image and self-esteem.

3. Draw or present a picture of someone that best represent yourself and made
a big impact in your life. Make a brief explanation of why you chose that
person.

 For me, the best picture that I present to describe myself and
made me a big impact in my life is the ferries wheel. My life is like a
ferries wheel because sometimes my life will go down or up in other
words I failed or succeeded in every challenges that I encounter in my
life but I still continue my journey for my family’s dream and my future. I
can be humorous to make people laugh or enjoy just like ferries wheel.
Happiness in our life depends upon how we think, it depends on quality
of our thoughts, be happy and positive thoughts.
 Always end the day with a positive thought, no matter how hard
things were. Tomorrow’s a fresh opportunity to make it better.