By the use of a sociological imagination, the connection between biography and history help to describe how the individual fits into, and structures society. The collaborative process of an individual’s personal life and their biography essentially adds to society’s foundation. If everybody, on an individual level, had an idea, it would slowly become an idea of that society. Over time if that idea were to change, the previous idea would be seen as history, from which the new idea has been formed. Therefore, history has impacted upon the way individual ideas are expressed and affect social structure. It is important to view history when making assumptions about an issue, it incorporates background and context, and results in a more definitive assumption. Outlining how these connections are reflexive helps to show the place of the individual in that society (Willis: 1999, pp20-21). C W Mills devised a set of questions, which Willis (1999: pp 18-25) abbreviated, helping to understand and investigate the reflexive connections between biography, history and society structure. He asked what was happening in society, how was it organized and how this related, in terms of previous patterns in history. He also questioned if the situation was changing, and if so, was there any evidence to support this. He further enquired as to how this change affected society, and what the implications involved were. In order to address the issue from an objective view, he asked whether evidence could be seen in a different way. Incorporating these questions into the study of social life shows how biography and history interrelate to give an unbiased view of societal structure.
Using the sociological imagination is an important tool when studying social life. It enables the sociologist to view the world from outside subjective ideas. Giddens (1997, p3) described this as to “ ‘think ourselves away’ from the familiar routines of daily life in order to look at them anew.” This is useful as it helps give an objective view to any area that may be studied. As stated previously, the sociological imagination takes into account personal troubles, public issues and the reflexivity of biography, history and society, and thus forms a new consciousness to understand social processes. This also helps expand the areas studied, by looking at aspects of these issues which may normally be overlooked. Here new conclusions and ideas may be found about that certain issue, revealed by taking an objective standpoint. Bias is therefore reduced, by giving equal importance to the examination of every aspect, thereby increasing the development of knowledge about the society (Willis 1999: p31). This critical analysis breaks down the taken-for-granted assumptions and ads to the rebuilding of new ideas from a fresh viewpoint (Pavlich & Hird: 2003 pp 1-11) and can be demonstrated by looking in more detail at divorce.
Marital divorce demonstrates how using a sociological imagination can expand the picture of the individual in society, which adds value to the study of social life. Divorce is a personal problem affecting the individual on many levels. It evokes emotions of sadness, distress, hurt and anger, which can have huge short-term affects on the individual. This sense of lose can linger for years as a painful memory and can cause stagnation in the individuals personal life. Financial and asset divisions affect the individual by reducing the gross income and wealth of each divorcee. The division of loyalties between friends, families and children adds another dimension to the distress felt by the individual. When divorce rates increase, these individual problems affect social structure by becoming public issues. Affecting the government, as new policies and law must be made to accommodate for fair division of assets and property. Custody laws also need to be developed. The economics of society are affected by new requirements placed on the welfare system. Single parents often need monetary support for their dependant children relating back to society as this comes out of the taxpayers money. Job opportunities are crated by the increase in demand skilled workers to direct and mediate these changers. By looking at the connection between the individual and history, the issue of divorce can be further examined.
Throughout recent western history, breaking the bonds of wedlock was seen to be a sin against God, a direct challenge to the nature of society, forcing many in unhappy marriage to stay in that situation, so as not to be seen as sinners by their societal peers. As people started to question this idea, it in turn started to change the tenets of society. Demonstrating how history affects biography and thus social structure.
There are many reasons that can account for divorce today, such as the increase in financial, job and environmental stress. The consequences of this include the emotional, social and intellectual effects on all involved in the relationship break up, financial pressures of one-parent incomes and legal industries employed to enforce correct division of assets. This also affects the economy and government as more people are needed to be employed to administer divorce associated support. There is also a greater need for child support, counselling and other social services, hence the individual problems affect many aspects of social structure other that just those directly involved in divorce.
The evidence that divorce is becoming more acceptable is apparent by looking at the statistics. Divorce in New Zealand has increased from around 3,000 annually in 1961 to around 15,000 in 1998 (). As society has moved from one of modernity to a postmodern era, the emphasis of divorce has changed from maintaining a Christian/Judaic structure, to one that is concerned with individual happiness. By observing this decrease in marriage, a new trend of relationship commitment emerges, that of de-facto or cohabitory partnerships, which may be seen as a better alternative to marriage and subsequent divorce. These partnerships, in a postmodern era, are seen as less constricting and as having fewer prejudices associated with them. (DU Plessis, 16th March 2004) Considering these questions set out by C W Mills (1959, p6) in his sociological imagination, divorce can be seen to affect a variety of people and institutions in a diverse way, showing how society is influenced by individual biographies and history. Thus by looking objectively at divorce, sociologists can find new patterns and answers to societal issues.
The sociological imagination integrates the idea of a personal trouble becoming a public issue and how the connections between biography and history play a major part in social structure. These interconnections are used to critique taken-for-granted assumptions, in order to develop a broader view of how social life and society work. The value this has on studying social life has been demonstrated by investigating the issue of divorce. Critically analyzing issues is important in ensuring that all areas of society are seen and given equal attention, thereby influencing the development of our communities. Without being able to see outside the parameters of an individual’s life, it is difficult for society to recognize other reasons for social change and therefore move into the future. Thus, demonstrating the significance and value of using a sociological imagination in the investigation of everyday life.
Reference List
Books:
Giddens, A., 1997. ‘What is sociology’ in Sociology (3rd Ed). Cambridge, Plity Press.
Mills, C. W., 1959. ‘The Promise’ in The Sociological Imagination. London, Oxford University Press.
Willis, E., 1999. The sociological Quest. St. Leonards, Allen and Unwind
Lecture notes:
Sociology 111, 16 March 2004, Gender and Sexualities in NZ, Rosemary DU Plessis, Canterbury University.
Web pages:
Marriage and Divorce. Marriage and divorce rates 1961- 98 [online]. Available:
, accessed 25th March, 2004