1) I think maybe the biggest example of a privilege that I enjoy in my own life is the fact that I am a female in a predominately female major. Nursing is meant for me in more ways than one, and that fact that I am a female had nothing to do with my decision to pursue a career that is more accepting of females. However, I feel that I may have a level of privilege my male counterparts do not have and that getting accepting into the major along with a large majority of the other students being females that we are continuing the path of least resistance. Johnson says, “the greatest barrier to change is that dominant groups… don’t see the trouble as their trouble, which means they don’t feel obliged to do something about it” (127), and I think I have to agree because people with privilege don’t see the problems of those without privilege as their own, and then nothing is done about the issue. Thankfully, the nursing major has implemented a group for men in nursing and has tried to include more males in nursing programs through different means, thus inspiring change. Actually, the percentage of male nurses is slowly increasing and this makes me think that this is change is action. Clearly, I do not expect to see a sudden shift in gender in the nursing profession in my lifetime, but I am aware of the change that is happening nonetheless. One of my best friends is a male nurse and he is just as talented as many of the other girls, in fact all the male nursing students I’ve meet are at the top of the class. This maybe means that the male students, had to work harder to stand out with more potential from all the typical female students. He is very inspiring because even in a female dominated field, he manages to hold his ground and plans on encouraging other males to enter the field of nursing. My friend is a part of the change that is taking place because his small steps towards paths of greater resistance are creating less resistance amongst others following in his footsteps. Johnson expressed this by stating, “When we openly pass up a path of least resistance, we increase resistance for other people around that path” (134). I think my male nursing friend is a perfect example for how privilege isn’t available to others but that no matter what there is always a way to change the outcome even if it is one small step at a time.
2) I would have to say that my biggest takeaway from this course is the social awareness that I now have as a result of all the field trips to a variety of prominent community locations. The class not only educated me on social issues but also made me consider and defend the needs of individuals and groups. I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone, experiencing unfamiliar groups, serving in my community and engaging in a different social activity on a weekly basis. I have come away with a much greater sense of the meaning of community than my original interpretation.
2) I would have to say that my biggest takeaway from this course is the social awareness that I now have as a result of all the field trips to a variety of prominent community locations. The class not only educated me on social issues but also made me consider and defend the needs of individuals and groups. I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone, experiencing unfamiliar groups, serving in my community and engaging in a different social activity on a weekly basis. I have come away with a much greater sense of the meaning of community than my original interpretation.