Private and Public Spheres in Sociology

Private and Public Spheres in Sociology Within sociology, public and private spheres are thought of as two distinct realms in which people operate on a daily basis. The basic distinction between them is that the public sphere is the realm of politics where strangers come together to engage in the free exchange of ideas, and is open to everyone, whereas the private sphere is a smaller, typically enclosed realm (like a home) that is only open to those who have permission to enter it. Origins of the Concept The concept of distinct public and private spheres can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who defined the public as the political realm where the direction of society and its rules and laws were debated and decided upon, and the private as the realm of the family and economic relations. However, how we define the distinction within sociology has changed over time. Within sociology how we define the private and public spheres is largely due to the work of the German sociologist Jà ¼rgen Habermas. A student of critical theory and the Frankfurt School, he published a book in 1962,  The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, that is considered the key text on the matter. Public Sphere According to Habermas, the public sphere, as a place where the free exchange of ideas and debate happens, is the cornerstone of democracy. It is, he wrote, made up of private people gathered together as a public and articulating the needs of society with the state. From this public sphere grows a public authority that dictates the values, ideals, and goals of a given society. The will of the people is expressed within it and emerges out of it. As such, a public sphere must have no regard for the  status  of the participants, be focused on common concerns, and be inclusiveall can participate. In his book, Habermas argues that the public sphere actually took shape within the private sphere, as the practice of discussing literature, philosophy, and politics among family and guests became a common practice. These practices then left the private sphere and effectively created a public sphere when men started engaging in them outside of the home. In 18th Century Europe, the spread of coffeehouses across the continent and Britain created a place where the Western public sphere first took shape in modern time. There, men engaged in discussions of politics and markets, and much of what we know today as laws of property, trade, and the ideals of democracy were crafted in those spaces. Private Sphere On the flip side, the private sphere is the realm of family and home life that is, in theory, free of the influence of government and other social institutions. In this realm, ones responsibility is to oneself and the other members of ones household, and work and exchange can take place within the home in a way that is separate from the economy of the greater society. However, the boundary between the public and private sphere is not fixed but is flexible and permeable, and is always fluctuating and evolving. Its important to note that women were almost uniformly excluded from participating in the public sphere when it first emerged, and so the private sphere, the home, was considered the womans realm. This is why, historically, women had to fight for the right to vote in order to participate in politics, and why gender stereotypes about women belonging in the home linger today. Historically within the U.S. people of color and others perceived as different or deviant have been excluded from participating in the public sphere too. Though progress in terms of inclusion has been made over time, we see the lingering effects of historical exclusion in the over-representation of white men in the U.S. congress. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

5 Points to Hit in Your Resignation Letter

5 Points to Hit in Your Resignation Letter Dear boss:I quit. Love, meWhile this note cuts to the chase, it’s not ideal. Your resignation letter should have a number of elements in it to ensure that your transition out is as smooth as possible, and that it sets you up for your next phase. Here are five elements your resignation letter should include.1. The factsStart with a statement of what role you’re leaving, and when. You might have had an unofficial discussion with your manager already, but it’s best to make things as clear and official as possible in your note. You don’t need to go into any detail about what you’re doing next (leaving for a new company, quitting to raise alpacas, etc.). You might end up telling people your next-step plans, but this is not relevant for your on-the-record resignation letter.2. A gracious toneNo matter why you’re leaving and no matter how angry or frustrated you might be, keep it on an even keel. This is not a time to burn any bridges. I promise you it is a very small world out there, and a goodbye missive full of personal insults, angry accusations, and general unpleasantness could definitely come back to haunt you.3. A thank youAgain, this resignation note is not the place for bitterness. I was once in the position of leaving a company when I felt like I’d been, well, shafted by someone in a position of authority. On my last day, as I was writing a goodbye note, I took the time to thank that person (albeit not as effusively as I might have otherwise), and I’m still glad I did. It might have felt therapeutic for a few minutes to have left a snotty and sarcastic parting word, but that wasn’t really me- and wasn’t what I wanted to be later on. No matter what specific grievances are going on, always take the time to thank someone for the opportunity you were given in this position. Be grateful for what you’ve learned, and shut the door gently behind you.4. A timelineYour company may have a mini mum notice requirement, which makes this part especially important. The timeline may end up being different in the end (maybe you won’t need to stay the full two weeks or however long), but it’s best to get the timing in writing in case there are any questions later from your manager, HR, etc.5. A planIf your resignation is a surprise to your manager and colleagues, an outline of the next few weeks shows you’ve put some thought into your exit plan. Also, it can help smooth any upset caused by your news. Offering a kind of succession plan (â€Å"I’m happy to spend time documenting my processes and training anyone on my day-to-day tasks over the next two weeks†) can help your boss manage the transition as well.Think of your resignation letter (or email) as your official transition to your next step- even more so than accepting a new job. Once it’s in writing, you’re already looking beyond your current role, so it’s time to let go of any drama. Similarly, it’s not a party time, either. The resignation letter is a way to remind yourself (and show your boss) that you will be handling the transition with professionalism and grace- and no swears.