Groups and Institutions in America

Hoop Dreams The rest of the story. What can we learn? – Storytelling: We all have a story. – Family – Race – Education – Opportunity – Personal Development – Other

Groups People form groups to satisfy their needs. How many groups do you belong to?

Groups We all belong to these groups at least: – A family – This School – This class You probably belong to other groups such as churches, teams, clubs, social networking webpages, and a circle of friends Count again, how many groups do you belong to?

Groups Ron, Harry, and Hermione are best friends. They spend a lot of time together. Their goal is to provide each other with a sense of belonging and defeat Lord Voldemort. Why do you have friends? Why do you have a family?

Groups Socialization – the process of learning how to participate in a group. Socialization also means learning to accept the values of a group and learning the rules for behavior within it. Values are standards that guide our behavior. Rules are specific expectations about what our behaviors should be.

Groups Billy wanted to join Harry’s group of friends, but he didn’t know magic. They wanted to go to a movie and Billy wore his “Voldemort Rocks my Socks” t-shirt. When our own personal values are in contrast to the values of a group, we either change our values to match that of the group, or find another group to join.

Social Institutions Social institutions – systems of values and rules that determine how our society is organized. There are five major social institutions in all societies: family, religion, education, the economy, and government. Social institutions provide a framework within which groups and organizations can exist.

Social Institutions Harry, Ron and Hermione leave their home and families each year to go to school. They are away from the home for months at a time. Billy’s parents are not comfortable with this idea. They choose to keep Billy at home. He goes to school during the day, but returns home in the evening for meals, entertainment, and sleeping.

The Family The family is the most basic social institution in any society. Our families provide us with food, clothing, shelter, security and belonging. Families teach us values needed to participate in society.

The American Family The American family has changed over time: – Families are smaller than before. – Many mothers work outside the home. – Many families only have one parent. – Many families are blended families: families made up of adults and their children from previous marriages. – Some families have foster or adopted children. – Some families have both parents of the same gender.

The Family Families teach us the relationship between rules and consequences. Values learned at home benefit society. Families are a training ground for adults-to-be.

Religion Not all Americans belong to a religious group. Religion provides comfort to people in time of crisis. It also provides people with another group to belong to. Religions teach moral standards. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Billy all have very different religious views. Regardless of that, they all believe in a shared moral code. For example, none of them feels stealing is ok.

Religions There is no law that states we have to help other people in need. Religions teach us that helping other people is good and important; therefore, people help each other out because the religious community has taught them that charity is a good thing to do. Charity is an important part of American society.

Religions More than 1,200 different religious groups are found in America today. This diversity often leads to conflict.

Education Most of us will need skills and talents to survive that we cannot learn at home or from a religion. Career preparation is one important aspect of school. At schools, we also meet people who are different than we are. Schools teach us our history and values. It also teaches how to think. An educated population is essential for a democratic society.

Economy Economy – a system for producing and distributing goods and services to fulfill people’s wants.

Characteristics of Our Ecomony Consumer – A person who uses, or consumes, goods or services. Market – Where goods and services are exchanged. Price – The amount you must pay for a good or service. Money – anything which is accepted for a good or service.

American Economic Freedoms You are free to buy or sell stuff. You are free to compete with others who are selling stuff. You are free to earn money. You have the right of ownership of stuff you buy until you sell it. You are free to pursue any career you wish.

The American Economy Despite freedoms, not everyone has the job they want. Most people cannot buy what ever they want.

Government: Meeting Societies Needs Without government, life would be chaos. Who would build the roads? Who would protect innocent citizens from criminals? Who would organized our defenses against other countries?

Governemnt Government has four roles: – Keeping the Peace – Government makes and enforces laws. – Protecting the Country – Gov. provides for our defense against outside attacks. – Providing Necessary Services – Gov. builds and maintains roads, sewers, schools, and more. – Maintain other Institutions – Gov. protects religions and offers hundreds of services to people in need.

Three Forms of Government Monarchy – a form of Gov. in which all or most of the power is in the hands of one individual. Authority is usually passed from a parent to a child. Dictatorship – a Gov. controlled by one person, called a dictator. A dictator takes his power by force.

Three Forms of Government Democracy – A system in which power is shared by the people. The United States was the first modern democracy. Most countries in the world are now democracies or Constitutional Monarchies.

Laws Laws, made by governments, influence nearly everything we do. In a democracy, people have the power to change laws.

US Constitution Written in 1787 by our founding fathers including: George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin. Provides instruction on how the government works.

US Constitution Divided into three parts: – Preamble – Articles 1-7 – Amendments 1-27

Preamble A paragraph at the beginning which sets for the general purpose of government.

Article 1 Covers the topic of the Legislative Branch Divides congress into two houses: – Senate – House Determines how many representatives serve in Senate and House from each state. Sets forth the process of making laws.

Article 1 Sets forth authority given to Legislative Branch. – For example, only the Legislative Branch can declare war. – They also have the power to make laws.

Article 2 Covers the topic of the Executive Branch. Determines who can run for president. Details that the president is to carry out the laws passed by the Legislative Branch. Determines how to choose the vice president. Describes how the president can be removed from office.

Article 3 Establishes the Judicial Branch or court system including the Supreme Court.

Article 5 The Amendment Process – explains how to change the constitution.

Amendments Amendments 1-10 are called the Bill of Rights. – Freedom of religion – Freedom of speech – Freedom of the press – Rights of the accused – Right to a speedy and fair trial

Other Important Amendments Amendment 12 – Changes way vice president is elected. Amendment 13 – Abolishes slavery Amendment 18 – Prohibition Amendment 19 – Woman suffrage Amendment 21 – Repeal of prohibition Amendment 22 – Presidential term limit Amendment 26 – Lowered voting age to 18