The Extent Of Choice In Contemporary Society Is Very Limited Essay Example

the schools theory lacks emphasis on other factors relating to the causation of crime. Therefore, the most solid approach involves studying the individual criminal and his or her relationship with all social and environmental factors that influence their personality. Recent studies indicate that gang culture remains popular among young people in impoverished areas. Gang leaders serve as role models as they have high status, power and access to money.

Gang members reject education and societal norms, limiting their choices to those acceptable within their group (Smith). This rejection is compounded by media reports of increased knife crime and violence in Britain, which may or may not be accurate but can instill fear in the population. Consequently, individuals may opt to stay indoors, avoid certain locations, and refuse to answer doorbells.

(3)(Collins et al) The level of choice available in society is a significant factor in determining the identities we select. Nevertheless, our individual choices are not the sole influencers of our identity. Social structures such as class, occupation, gender, nationality, and education also govern the agency we possess over our identities. Changes in these structures may generate instability in our identity and affect our decisions. (4)(Woodward)

Class can have a significant impact on our upbringing, education, and even lead to imprisonment. Despite 11 years of a labour government, social mobility is argued to be at its lowest level in history. As Clegg states, "a child born into deprivation is more likely to inherit his or her parent's disadvantage than at any time in our past." The circumstances of our birth should not hinder our ability to achieve our aspirations. The media also plays a role in

shaping identity, particularly for women. Women's magazines in the 1950s encouraged homemaking after the war effort, but nowadays, publications and their advertisers depict women as capable of both working and caring for their families.

According to Woodward (p20), advertisements aim to sell symbols of a lifestyle identity to consumers. This creates pressure, particularly on women, to conform to media portrayed roles by purchasing products that help achieve the desired look. Recently, even men's work-based identities, like traditional apprenticeships, have changed due to the shifting economy, resulting in their decline from previously dominant positions.

According to some researchers, a youth sub culture has emerged due to the lack of traditional craftsman's opportunities, resulting in laddish behaviour and refusal to pursue education (4)(Mac an Gahill M, 1994 cited Woodward p67 2004). The work options for 16-year-olds have become increasingly limited, leading to a significant rise in those continuing their education with 43% opting to attend university. The transformation of the British economy has also affected the employment opportunities for older men. The closure of industries such as ship yards, steel works, and mining have had a considerable impact on the labor market as the era of 'job for life' has ended. Many manufacturing industries have relocated overseas, resulting in loss of numerous traditional working class jobs. This phenomenon could be a significant reason for the substantial increase in people seeking incapacity benefit, which stood at 2.

According to Kirkup (7), the number of people with multiple jobs reached 7 million in November 2007, which is more than four times higher than it was in 1975 (8, cited from Faggio). This is due to the combination of rising house prices and

increased flexible working practices. As stated in Ordering Lives: family, work and welfare, "Flexible labour markets play a key part in a competitive economy" (4, HMG,1994, p50). Moreover, over the past three decades, the average age of first-time home buyers has increased from 27 to 34 years old (9), which may have caused British women to have fewer children and delay their first child. In 1964, British women had an average of 2 children.

According to National Statistics Online, there were 94 children at some point in the past, but by the turn of the century, the number had decreased to 1.7. It then increased to 1.9 in 2006. This information is presented within HTML paragraph tags.

BBC News reported on 27/03/06 that roughly 10% of couples opt out of parenthood. These individuals usually have greater financial resources, affording them access to a broader spectrum of goods and services. This trend towards childlessness is indicative of the pervasive influence of consumerism in modern culture.

Stearns (5) believes that consumerism revolves around people creating their life objectives and personalities by buying non-essential items. Nevertheless, the escalation in customer requests, mainly from nations like China and India, is generating insupportable stress on the planet's natural resources and fossil fuels, leading to detrimental pollution and CO2 emissions. Numerous political beliefs and associations have presented suggested resolutions to cope with environmental predicaments emerging from industrialized societies such as climate change, preservation, intensive farming, nuclear concerns, dams, deforestation, and resource exhaustion.

Surpassing a particular pollution threshold can lead to the swift decline of ecosystems, ultimately surpassing critical points and leading to the extinction of various species and ecosystems (Goldblatt, 2004, p90). Present-day purchasers are

well-versed in the environmental consequences and social implications behind their consumption choices. Consequently, there has been a surge in environmentally-friendly products available for purchase that span from organic produce to low-emission electric vehicles. Nevertheless, due to their distinctive features and higher costs, these products have a tendency to be more costly.

The decline in the economy could result in a reduction of interest for eco-friendly items due to cost sensitivity. This essay employs three course modules centered on crime, identity, and consumerism to tackle this issue. Although other fields may be applicable, the internet has significantly influenced access to information, enabling people to make well-informed choices regarding education, health, employment, shopping, and recreation.

Despite possessing the necessary knowledge for making informed decisions, individuals may encounter obstacles to success due to their social class and limited mobility. These factors significantly impact life prospects and well-being, affecting opportunities in education, housing, and lifestyle choices. For instance, a male born in Glasgow can expect an average lifespan of 70.5 years which falls below the national average of 77.

The North-South life expectancy gap in contemporary British society highlights significant social inequalities. For instance, Exeter has a four-year shorter life expectancy than other areas, which may have implications for an individual's post-mortem choices.