Behavior is extremely addictive. Specifically, social behavior, is extremely addictive. Becker infiltrates the subculture of Pot Heads and clearly shows that any person being indoctrinated into any subculture will need to have a "guide" or closely observe the social subculture's behavior in order to be accepted. Through this, connections to the other people within the socially constructed group will be established and your behavior will mimic those around you. Like the subculture of Marijuana users, the United States Marine Corps is similar in that indoctrination into the militarily-constructed subculture, as well as an insider guide (Drill Instructor), is necessary to fully change behavior, ideology, and fall into step with the rest of the subculture. Through body practices and belief in an ideology the biological individual is enveloped by a certain subculture, by their choosing or not, and ends up reflecting that culture through their speech and body language.
Now comparing Bordo and her theory on femininity to the United States Marine Corps; I will be able to show how culture affects women and the way they dress to the subculture of the Marine Corps and it's affects on clothing. As Bordo points out, and is quite obvious to anyone observing subculture, women's body practices in culture is almost manic. The same is true for the Marines. So much emphasis is placed on Marines to look and act their best, that they are literally judged by their appearance in uniform, down to a fraction of an inch, on weather or not they will be promoted. By valuing the body and conditioning it through rigorous physical exercise, a Marine will be valued above another strictly on appearance. While this is completely normal within a fighting organization where life is at risk, observing women in our culture do the same is over the top ludicrous. It is absolutely shocking watching women doing similar preparation on their clothes and to their bodies just to have a chance of being accepted into our culture.
I love this comparison of being subjected to the same types of rigorous conditions of marines just to be accepted into today's culture and the society. Being a girl myself sometimes I think about the ridiculous things I do everyday just to get ready to go to school. I also agree with the beginning of the post when discussing how behavior is addictive. I think that without the behavioral addiction the actual addiction wouldn’t be possible because people wouldn’t continue to use things with poor side affects without the behavioral aspect. When giving up something addicting you not only have to get over the addiction but you have to change your whole behavior and therefore lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting comparison, and one that I would have never thought of. I agree with your idea that its socially constructed behaviors that we feel addicted to, it really echo’s Becker’s idea that everything is a social construct that has been learned. It is also interesting to think about how in some sub-cultures like The Armed Forces one really must obey the social rules or they face serious consequences, although these may be more apparent I feel like all subcultures are just as strict about their rules, if someone doesn’t act “right” when they are high they will be just as ostracized as in any other group.
ReplyDeleteI also found your reading of Bordo very interesting. In lecture we addressed how in different cultures and though out history bodies have been viewed differently, what is now overweight was once normal, etc… Its interesting to hear from your perspective how this subculture of Marines value the body in another different way, showing that the same body can be viewed differently depending on the audience.