Essay: Friendship and Play: “Death in Gaza”
Part 1
Sociologists argue that all human beings – regardless of the culture they grow
up in – are shaped and molded by their immediate surroundings and the people
they encounter. To demonstrate this, they focus on the processes of socialization,
which refers to ___________________________________. What is most important here is the
recognition that although the actual content of each culture that is being learned the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, norms, customs and traditions – might be
different, the processes through which this learning occurs is fundamentally the
same. In what follows, I will illustrate this main point by examining the portrayal of
three children growing up along the Gaza strip in the movie “Death in Gaza.”
Through an analysis of the experiences of Ahmed and his best friend Mohammud –
two twelve year old boys – and Najla – a sixteen year old girl – I will indicate how
the process of socialization they experienced is no different from the one I have
experienced half a world away in the United States.
Sociologists use various concepts to guide their analysis of the socialization
process. Here I shall discuss five: looking-glass self, role models, primary groups,
significant others, and reference groups.
Although it may certainly change over one’s lifetime, all people develop a
self-image. To indicate the process through which this typically occurs, Charles
Horton Cooley introduced the term looking-glass self. According to Cooley ___________
______________________. This is clearly seen in the film. [Give an example for Ahmed and
Najla.] The looking-glass self can also be applied to my experiences. [Give a personal
example.]
It is certainly the case that some people’s opinions matter more than others,
and to explore this fact, George Herbert Mead introduced the term significant
others. Mead defined this as ________________________________________. In the film, [Give an
example for Ahmed and Najla.] Significant others have shaped my life as well. [Give
a personal example.]
Another term that sociologists use that focuses on the impact of other
individuals is role-models. This term is more restrictive than significant others in
that it refers to ___________________________. [Give an example for Ahmed and Najla.]
Role-models have been important in my life, too. [Give a personal example.]
Social groups constitute one of the most important concepts that sociologists
apply to examine how people are molded and why they act the way that they do.
There are various types of groups, each with different attributes and functions. A
primary group is ____________________________________. [Give an example for Ahmed and
Najla.] Primary groups also have and continue to play an important part in my life.
[Give a personal example.] Reference groups are also quite important. By reference
group, sociologists are referring to ______________________________. [Give an example for
Ahmed and Najla.] For me, [Give a personal example.]
As has been indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the processes through
which individuals are socialized are universal.
Part 2
In the process of development during late childhood/early adolescence
changes in cognitive and physical maturation significantly alter the functions of play
and the significance of peer relationships/friendships.
For children in this stage of development, the functions of play
are_______________________________. Although the setting of play in Death in Gaza is
dramatically different than the setting for play in my life, examples of play in each
context are: (give specific examples from the film and examples from your life).
Similarly, the functions of friendship, regardless of setting, are:
___________________________. (Give examples of these functions for Mohammud and
Ahmed). For me, friendship during late childhood and adolescence was important
because (give examples).
Play and friendships are critical to the healthy development of children and
clearly affect the emerging self-concept of the individual. As discussed by Berger in
the text, Erik Erikson, as well as James Marcia outline stages of identity formation.
According to Erikson, the development of identity includes ________________. James
Marcia discusses identity formation by outlining the following specific stages
___________________. Examples of Ahmed’s and Mohammud’s emerging
identity___________(Give specific examples). As I consider the development of my
own identity during late childhood/early adolescence ____________(give specific
examples).
An individual’s susceptibility to propaganda and to the influence of
significant others changes over the life course as thought processes mature.
Research indicates that during late childhood and adolescence individuals are
particularly susceptible. There are many examples in the film that illustrate this.
(Give specific examples from both the film and your life.)
[Concluding comments that summarize these universal developmental
processes]