Another source that Robbins cites, Noel Ignatier, notes that in the first half of the nineteenth century, free blacks had equal competition for employment in the north United States. When the Irish began to immigrate to the United States, “white” was no longer a physical description, but “a term of social relations” (Robbins). The Irish immigrants were forced to compete with freed blacks for employment. Because their skin was white, they were considered higher status that blacks. The immigrants often had to act as those they supported slavery to appear better than the competition (Robbins). The social construction of racism has changed drastically since that time. Since the Civil War and Constitutional Amendments, it is now looked down upon to choose someone over another qualified candidate based on race, as with gender. Women's suffrage has opened many outlets for women to explore higher employment.
Childhood is another example of how social constructionism works. When consumerism altered the shape of culture in the United States, marketing for children boomed. Early twentieth century retail and department stores produced elaborate shows for children's entertainment. This and the over-commercialization of Christmas brought forth a “kinder-culture” with children as a consumer (Robbins). Another way that childhood has been socially constructed involves the social construction of family. The nuclear family separated the extended family. Children would associate with their cousins more if they lived together. Childhood friends now come from their environment, from school, from other families. The family has been socially constructed to shape consumerism.
Social construction ties into stereotypes. Stereotypes of women and race have shaped the way these issues are treated in society. I have personally experienced sexism in the workplace on several occasions. At many of my jobs, my male co-workers have assigned jobs to me that they think I will do better just because I am female. I have also observed how certain types of jobs seem to be offered to men more often than women, unless they were well-qualified, attractive, young women.. When I worked at a health club, the membership counselors were usually tall men or young, attractive women. I believe that the supervisors believed that these stereotypes would sell more memberships. These stereotypes have been socially constructed in this way.
Social constructs are understood by society, often unconsciously, as implied values. These classifications are constructed into regular norms of a culture. This effect can be positive or negative. Nigel Nicholson said in Article 13 of the '08-'09 Annual Editions, “cross-cultural scholars write much about individualism and collectivism as a key dimension of cultural difference.” Social constructionism is an ongoing process. The attempt of globalization compels the cultures of the world to hopefully work together in the future. Through social constructionism, there is hope that one day globalization will be a success in peaceful coexistence and international integration.
