1. Rachel Warners
Prof. Marr
October 01, 2015
SOWK 250-A
Social Location Essay
Attending church twice on a Sunday in the morning and evening, was a huge part of my
culture and what I thought to be the “norm” and “right thing” to do as a Christian. My family
valued the importance of Christianity in life, thus the reason we attended twice. Attending
church, according to my family, was very important for growing ones faith. Every Sunday
consisted of morning breakfast together (usually homemade bread), devotions after breakfast,
getting ready for church, and leaving all together (Sunday routine). This practice took place in
my home of Jenison, MI which consist of mostly white, Christian, middle to upper class families.
My neighborhood, church, and family were all social institutions that socialized me into this
cultural practice and belief that it was the “norm.” My parents and older siblings (whom all
were committed and strong in their faith) were my agents of socialization. They taught me
Sundays were to be set aside for God, attending church; twice, and never getting dirty (playing
outside). I participated in this cultural practice, since I came to America at the age of 5 which is
the reason why it is representative of my culture; it is a part of who I am and grew up with
culturally.
I am of Asian descent, I was born in China and have only Chinese blood in me, which can
be a disadvantage than of dominate white descent. I was raised in a middle class family where
my father was an owner of a small plumbing business. I was taught hard work allows people

2. opportunities to succeed and meet basic needs. I am a female and have no shame and regret
for being created female. I am 20 years old which puts at a somewhat of an advantage and
disadvantage. I am not yet considered a person with high sense of expertise, knowledge, and
experience. I haven’t established credibility of myself where I can land a professional job with
benefits. However, I am looked at as someone who has more experience, knowledge, and
expertise compared to a person younger than 20, thus having a better chance of being hired
and treated more as an adult. My religious background is Protestantism (CRC) which
automatically puts me at the top of the social location of religion since Protestantism was how
America was historically formed and is based on. I am a heterosexual and always have been.
Never have I believed if I was potentially a lesbian or bisexual. I am attracted to males and hope
to someday marry a male. Because I am a heterosexual female, this factor places me high on
the social location of sexuality. I am able bodied and always have been. I am able to take care of
myself and live independent. I am not considered ugly nor do I have disfigurements anywhere
on my body but I am not as attractive as celebrities/model, however, I have nice black hair,
pretty brown eyes, and a nice proportioned face. When I gather all the social locations to
describe who I am, it goes like this, “I am an Asian who lives in the middle class, is a 20 year old
female, with a Protestant belief/upbringing, and heterosexual who is able bodied, and
attractive.” If we connected an imaginary line from each triangle of the social locations in
society, I would be at the top of almost all the social systems except for race and class (maybe).
Due to my social location, I have a high probability, if not a guarantee in getting a job in the
professional field, being able to live independently without Gov’t help, and having a stable life.

3. I have a great deal of positive life chances due to being a heterosexual in the 21st
century relative to others who would label themselves of another sexual orientation. This
prevents me from being denied employment and housing, along with other forms of services
(University of Calgary). Most importantly I would not be seen as one who needs therapy to get
“cured” of my sexual orientation, thus I have a higher chance to be hired and not denied
employment due to the negative social stigma of therapy. I personally have never knew I was
employed over someone who identifies themselves as another sexual orientation which I am
thankful for. I feel it is unequal to deny a job due to one’s sexual orientation. I am sure,
someday I will encounter the situation of being employed due to being a heterosexual.
I am Chinese which places me in the lower end of the gender social system. Due to
being Asian American in a dominate white community, I lacked the confidence in myself and
putting myself out there. White people in my community didn’t fully understand/realize if
you’re a person of color, there were always jokes and something racist to be said. I was
oppressed in the sense people at my school (almost all white except for a dew) always pointed
out my flat nose, tanner skin, different eye shape, and black hair, thus making me feel I was odd
and ostracized. According to Matthew Salesses, bullying against Asian Americans continues at
the highest rate of any ethnic group (Salesses), proving Asian Americans face oppression
through the social form of bullying. I can now say I am confident and proud of my race and
culture. I believe I do have worth just as much as other people and will succeed in life. I want to
end on this realization but also true fact by Matthew Salesses, “…I had control over my
differences, that I could choose to build them up or break them down, that they were not
simply genetic, rather they (differences) were something that had never been true in America.”

4. References
Recognizing Heterosexual Privilege. (n.d.). In Campaign Positive Space. Retrieved from
http://www.ucalgary.ca/positivespace/node/38
Salesses, M. (2012, October 16). How the Rules of Racism are Different for Asian Americans.
In Everyday Feminism . Retrieved from http://everydayfeminism.com/2012/10/how-the-
rules-of-racism-are-different-for-asian-americans/