Society within America has shaped my life in many different ways. The feeling of community provided by the neighborhood in which I live works to ensure that I take care and pride in the way that my home looks, and pushes me to take an interest in the activities that are designed to work to make it better. We work in cooperation with each other to beautify the area, and often take part in neighborhood cleanup projects. While it is true that many of the people within the neighborhood have their own distinct cultures that they identify with, the values that we place on the community itself work to ensure that there is no true conflict within our social group.

Accommodations are made for those who are unable to participate as a result of a conflict, regardless of whether that is one of scheduling or of disability. The social system that we have created works to ensure that all members are as fully integrated as they would like to be, or are able to be, and we always work to ensure that no customs are overlooked, neglected, or trod upon. Each month we have created a group activity for the purposes of socialization in order to increase the feeling of community that is present within the neighborhood. Those who are a part of the neighborhood association in an achieved status, or leadership role, are given the task of working to make sure that everyone feels comfortable within the group itself.

Deviance from common social norms and mores are not tolerated within our community to a certain extent. While the home owners’ associations in the area work to ensure compliance with the physical components of people’s homes, it is the neighborhood association is the social institution that works to make sure that acculturation occurs; i.e. that no discriminatory behavior is tolerated within the community itself. This is not to say that a certain social distance is not allowed, or not tolerated, but rather that no individual feels as though they do not belong for one reason or another.

During each of the major holidays we have a different form of gathering, wherein those who wish to learn about other cultures are able to do so and the children are able to learn about differences. This process of diffusion works to ensure that not only are we all able to better understand and respect the beliefs of others within our community, but that an increased tolerance is present as a result of that understanding. This process further serves to decrease culture lag that may otherwise be present as a result of discrepancies between how things are done in one place versus another.

Ascribed statuses make no difference within our community, and we work hard to ensure that it stays that way. It is not that we ask for any form of outright conformity, or that we have set down specific laws regarding the matter, but that we have a set of guidelines that we strive to follow, regardless of the outward pressures of society. While this may sound a bit outside of the traditional norm of life within America, it is less a step outside of the norm, and more a step towards the way that our society should be, one wherein individuals are able to be themselves without fear of repercussion, and one where individuals are able to be proud of the place in which they live. It is a place where people come together when they need to and work to assist one another. While things may not always be perfect, we do try our best to work to adhere to these guidelines we have set for ourselves and, as a result, we have made this neighborhood a nice place to live.