Sociology Assignment #3
February 2

A. Brianna DeLuca (brd5126); Sarah Moore (sam6137)

B. In 3-5 sentences, please summarize 1) personal troubles, 2) public issues of social structure, and 3) individual factors, as presented in the textbook and lecture.

Personal troubles are things that happen and negatively impact an individual on a personal level. The public issues of the social structure are the negative things that impact a society and contribute to it. Private troubles can lead to public issues. Some public issues include pollution, bullying in schools, health, sexual assault, and equal rights. Some personal troubles include job status, family issues, eating disorders, drug addictions and even death of a loved one.

C. Identify the show, the general topic of the show, and the day and date watched.

The show we watched is The Bachelor. This show focuses on 25 women competing for one man’s love and potential marriage proposal. We watched this show on is normal airing day of the week, Monday, February 2nd, 2015. Questions D and E ask: What were TWO of the WORST, most significant, major personal troubles people seemed to have on the show?

D. In a sentence or two, what was the first worst personal trouble? Who had this personal trouble?

One of the bachelorettes, Kelsey, becomes upset during the show when she lets the other girls know that her former husband died due to a heart attack about a year ago. Kelsey talks about how hard it has been for her since that day, and constantly faces an inner struggle of trying to find another love. She feels as though she now has no one to depend on. She also feels as though she will never be good enough for anyone besides her former husband. This tragedy plays a huge role in her “biography” of personal troubles.

E. In a sentence or two, what was the second worst personal trouble? Who had this personal trouble?

Another one of the bachelorettes, Ashley, is constantly feeling jealous of the other girls who are also on the show. She is constantly trying to outshine the other bachelorettes, and starts many fights out of jealousy and hatred.

F. Brainstorm at least 2 individual factors that contribute to the person’s trouble in D. What makes you call them “individual factors?” One individual factor that contributes to Kelsey’s personal trouble of being upset because of her past husband’s death is her dependent personality. Her dependency on others (which she has stated) constantly reminds her of her husband and how she no longer has someone to rely on. A second individual factor that contributes to Kelsey’s personal trouble is her self confidence level. She is constantly saying how self-conscious and insecure she is about herself (mainly in regards to her looks). This insecurity makes her feel as though she will never be good enough for anyone besides her late husband, fueling her personal trouble of being troubled because of his death.

G. Brainstorm at least 2 public issues that contribute to the person’s trouble D. Please do not just say “being on the show was a public issue.” Shows are definitely public issues so that’s kind of low-hanging fruit. So let’s move along and find something more sophisticated in the way of public issues. One public issue that contributes to Kelsey’s personal trouble is modern society’s dependency on others and on things. This day and age, we are so dependent on our technology, our friends, and on finding a significant other. We as a society have lacked our ability to be independent and unique. We cannot go a day without our phones or computers, and it feels as though every young person is very concerned with marriage and the future. Our society has shaped our generation to be this dependent, and this constant dependence is a public issue that contributes to Kelsey’s personal trouble of needing a partner to be dependent on. Another public issue that contributes to Kelsey’s personal trouble is society’s emphasis on looks. Kelsey is troubled