Future of Modernization Nathaniel Collier May 18, 2012 Soc/120 Pamella robinson

Consequences of Modernization Modernization makes live physically well for most Americans, but at what cost? The cost is at our community. Too many Americans no longer know the neighbors next door. Modernization has cost Americans the sense of community and led to social isolation among others. How does modernization manifest itself in U.S. society? Americans are all about modernization. Gadgets are a part of every aspect of our lives. Most Americans use a computer in some capacity in work, play and even for personal banking. Online bill pay is fast making writing checks obsolete. Cars have built-in computers that do everything from alerting the driver that it is time to change the oil to giving directions. I know I love my heated seats when the weather turns cold. As many comforts that modernization has given Americans the downside are that most Americans experience more feelings of isolation and depression than in the past. Or there are more Americans are willing to admit to feelings of isolation and depression than in the past.As Ferdinand Tonnies, the German sociologist believed... "modernization as the progressive loss of Gemeinschaft, or human community" (Macionis, 20011, ) Is modernization likely to continue in the U.S.? Yes, yes, and yes. Modernization is the future. Computer companies are making newer, smaller, bigger, and better gadgets. Just this week, the Apple computer debuted the ipad. The ipad is an amazing device. The ipad can surf the net, has applications for pictures, music, and more. All for the low introductory price of $499! Just visit the Apple website to see all the wonderful features that are offered. It is an instant hit that will spawn imitations and various versions developed by other computer companies. Computers have become apart of houses. Alarms systems, cooling, and heating systems, and

appliances all have computers or computer chips to run the system or appliance. Modernization is a part of America and will remain an intrical part of American life. Is modernization a world-wide trend? Picture it, Kuwait City, 2008. A young man walks into a coffee shop and orders a latte. The young man sits in a comfortable chair and prepares to chat with friends. But instead of the friends sitting around the same table, the man pulls out a computer and logs into a chat room in which he visits with friends online. Instead of in person. The man is surrounded by people but is isolated with the computer. The so-called "friends" are people the man has never met and will probably never meet. But are considered important to the man. (Modernization,1993). The coffee shop scenario could and is taking place in almost every country in the world. Instead of playing board games and outside, children around the world are playing with playstations and listening to ipods or MP3s, activities that can take place in groups. But more often are taking place as individual activities. (Modernization 1993). What are the consequences of modernization? Increased isolation and depression as a result of losing the sense of community that America had is one of the consequences of modernization. This loss of community is felt by single parents everywhere. I was a single parent between my marriages and could relate to the feelings of anger, depression, and isolation that the author describes in the paper written. The debilitating affects of depression is scary in the intensity and overwhelming ability to control all aspects of the sufferers' life (Modernization.1993)

The feeling that there is no one that cares about a single parent and the child or children in the single parent family can be overwhelming. The feeling of isolation, stress, and loneliness led to severe depression that was difficult to recover. But the young son that needed me so was at times the only thing that kept me going. As the author, I had no help caring for my son. It was overwhelming when my exhusband, his family and my family did not help but felt free to criticize me. Divorce decreases the standard of living for the custodial parent, which is usually a woman and the children. Modern belief is that divorce is no longer stigmatized, it has become commonplace and half of all marriages end in divorce. The courts do not care about how the noncustodial parents' income changes, this leads to added hardship for the custodial parent. Then society has to pick up the slack because the custodial parent cannot afford to provide for the children and is forced to seek assistance. The modernization of public opinion toward putting a persons needs before the family has increased the burden placed on society to help custodial parents to care for children. Many people do not want to ask for help, but will not let children go hungry. So the custodial parent feels degraded. This increases feelings of isolation and depression. This starts a cycle that is difficult to escape from and adversely affects everyone. "As the movie Affluenza points out our society promotes materialism and children are encouraged to find self-esteem through what material goods they possess" Which theorist best reflects your perceptions of modernization? (Macionis, 20011, ) Perhaps it is because used to work in health care in the emergency department and see humanity at its worst, but the theorist I think best reflects my perceptions of modernization is Ferdinand Tonnies, the German sociologist. I used to see first hand the loss of human community in America. I see the rape and assault victims. I also had to deal with the police, social workers, criminals, parents, children, and administrators.

The way people use and abuse others for personal gain with no thought of the hurt inflicted. The broken people who are not able to make it in the modern world. I see the results of Tonnies..."the Industrial Revolution weakened the social fabric of family and tradition by introducing a businesslike emphasis on facts, efficiency, and money" (Macionis, 2011). The mental health patients living in homeless shelters because the state mental hospital in the city was closed and the closest facility has a five year waiting list. The excuse for cutting services to the people who need it most is budget cuts. Never mind that the budget cuts increase costs for hospitals, police departments, and create more victims. The cost in human suffering is much higher than the material gain. Modernization is the present and the future. But as America and the world becomes more technologically advanced we are losing our humanity. The earthquake in Haiti shows we care for others and want to help, but at the same time ignore the homeless here that need help. We surround ourselves with gadgets and ignore the living, breathing people who we can and need to socialize with so we do not sink into depression and loneliness.

References Macionis, John, J., (2011). Society: The Basics, (Eleventh Edition). Prentice-Hall. Modernization. (1993). In Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought. Retrieved from Retrieved fromhttp://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA2884 27516&v=2.1&u=uphoenix&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w