Modern Agency

As a young American in 2015, I know that I am freer than many other people my age in other places of the world, yet I also know that I am not completely free to make all of my own decisions. Many people in today society in the US complain about the government and how they seem to be hiding secrets and other information from the citizens of the countries. For example, the whole Edward Snowden affair angered many people, since he exposed that the US government was spying on people’s personal lives with NSA. People were outraged because as a US citizen, they were not expecting their government to spy, since we are the “Home of the Free.” I do understand people’s outrage, but I also understand why the government did what they did. Many people do not realize that we are only free to a certain extent. Though I don’t know about my peers, I feel like I am free because that is the way I was brought up. My parents encourage me to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way, and with that mentality I do not see or take time to be upset over things that go my ways and opportunities that I may have missed. I think too many people moan about the things they cannot do, not the things they can do. One of the main issues in today’s society is racism. Many people say they are at a disadvantage because they are a certain ethnicity or skin color. For example, some complain that it is harder for someone of color to get into college not only due to acceptance but also due to upbringing, since their families might not encourage college or furthering their education. That, I think, is an issue in the family, not the culture or the ethnicity. I do understand why people complain though, since I am a girl, so I have a little bit less freedom then my older brothers. My brothers are pretty much allowed to go wherever they want and do whatever they want to do. I, on the other hand, have to tell my parents exactly where I am going and have to ask permission from my parents all the time. I know it is because they worry, but it is very annoying to watch my brothers go somewhere while I cannot, and I will complain. Though my example is on a much smaller scale than some other instances, I get why it is a problem when someone thinks they are not allowed or able to do the same things as someone else. I think for the most part that my desires and wishes are pretty much my own. From a very young age, I have been told that I can do anything I want and that I would have the full support of my family with whatever I choose. However, I also know that many of my decisions can be a product of advertising and cultural conditioning. Since I have lived in Huntington Beach all my life, my life up to now is very different compared to someone growing up in another country or even in another state. Southern California in general has a very different culture compared to a place like New York. Here, the culture is very laidback, while in New York people can be very upfront and confrontational. I go to New York every summer to visit my grandparents, and I have noticed a difference in how people drive there compared to here. In New York, people will honk much more than here in California, where people rarely honk. Though the example doesn’t seem to have a lot in common with the topic of agency, it shows how people in different places believe in different things and will act differently, which shows how important a culture can be in a person’s choices. Even though I mostly feel like I am a free person, there are still constraints on my freedom. These constraints include money, social acceptance, cultural values, and moral acceptance. My awareness of these constraints affect my decision making process and my moral judgment of others because it makes me aware of how others will perceive me and my actions. Social awareness and cultural values make me aware of how other will see me, while moral acceptance allows me to view myself and what I believe is right and wrong. Aspects of my life that I can choose according to my wishes is when and where I do my homework, what to watch on TV, my major, what to eat in the fridge, what music I listen to, what books I read, and what I watch on YouTube. However, there are constraints in what I can choose. For example, I can want to eat something from a restaurant, but I might not have the money for it. Another example would be my major, since maybe my parents might want me to be one thing, like continuing the family business, but I might want to do another that I enjoy more. Overall, I think we are pretty free, though there is always room for improvement.

#agency #2015 #America #modern