admittedly these notions are dated, yet
social identity theory suggests that who we are is partially generated through
competition and
consensual discrimination. this theory proposes that things, our everyday normal in which we are embedded, do not change much. shifts predominately occur when two conditions are met -- inequity and a disruption to the current social hierarchies [status quo]. we see this following the great depression, wwi, wwii, vietnam, etc. so war is a huge disruptor of social hierarchies and typically uncovers inequities...thus we see cultural shifts in the norms following war. on 9/11 as i drove from tampa to houston because my morning flight had been canceled, i decided to quit my job, go back to school for my mfa and in terms of family hierarchies this was my first major decision not influenced by my spouse...i disrupted the marital hierarchies with that decision, quiting my job, and going back for my mfa...all kinds of familial culture shifted.
