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I Have To Write An Essay Which Will Be Based On An Article

Generate a main idea and three supporting points based on the article "Its Social Meaning" by Lorne Tepperman. The article discusses how total institutions, such as prisons and mental hospitals, aim to re-socialize inmates by changing their appearance, which signifies the loss of old identities and social status. The adoption of institutional uniforms manifests entry into a low-status community of identical inmates. The text further examines the clothing norms of organizations like the Salvation Army, illustrating how appearance shapes identity and social roles within various contexts.

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The article “Its Social Meaning” by Lorne Tepperman significantly explores the intricate relationship between appearance, identity, and social roles within total institutions such as prisons and mental hospitals. By examining how clothing impacts self-identity and social standing, Tepperman highlights the essential role that appearance plays in re-socializing individuals within these institutions. The main idea can be articulated as follows: clothing and appearance are crucial elements in defining personal and social identities, particularly within re-socialization contexts. This relationship can be understood through three supporting points: the manipulation of appearance to erase previous identities, the social implications of uniformity, and the gendered dynamics embedded in clothing choices.

Manipulation of Appearance to Erase Previous Identities

One of the primary arguments presented in the article is that total institutions manipulate the appearance of inmates to disassociate them from their past identities. According to Erving Goffman, the first step in the process involves separating individuals from their old identities and identifiers—such as personal clothing and accessories. Inmates are often forced to wear institutional uniforms that remove individual markers of identity, leading to a profound loss of personal history and social status. This manipulation illustrates how powerful control mechanisms operate within total institutions, where appearance is meticulously regulated to foster conformity and compliance (Goffman, 1961).

Social Implications of Uniformity

Cloaked in institutional attire, inmates enter a realm that is characterized by uniformity and sameness. This transition into a low-status community of identical individuals symbolizes a critical shift in social standing and personal agency. The article discusses how this imposing system reflects broader social norms regarding identity construction. Tepperman references the Salvation Army as an example, where uniforms served not only as markers of collective identity but also facilitated entrance into public spaces without significant scrutiny. This illustrates how clothing can both suppress individual identity and create a communal bond among members, highlighting the dual-edged nature of uniformity (Winston, 2001).

Gendered Dynamics Embedded in Clothing Choices

The article also touches on the gendered nature of clothing and its implications for identity. Traditionally, men and women have been subjected to different social expectations regarding attire. For instance, the article references how women’s clothing often lacks practical pockets compared to men's, reflecting societal perceptions of gender roles (Keenan, 2001). In the context of total institutions, this difference can perpetuate notions of femininity and masculinity, impacting how individuals are perceived and treated based on their clothing. As such, clothing remains a potent symbol of gender identity and social stratification, influencing personal choices and societal judgments within institutional settings (Malson, Marshall, & Woollett, 2000).

Furthermore, the relationship between self-expression and societal pressure comes to the fore. Tepperman notes that while there is a basic right to self-expression, this right is often curtailed by social norms that dictate how individuals should present themselves. The choices made in clothing not only communicate individual beliefs and identity but also conform to or resist societal expectations. This illustrates the dialogue between agency and control, wherein individuals navigate personal choices in the face of external pressures (Carlyle, 1896).

In conclusion, Tepperman’s article highlights critical insights into the role of appearance and clothing in shaping identity and social dynamics within total institutions. The manipulation of outward appearance serves as a tool for re-socialization, emphasizing the loss of previous identities, the social implications of uniformity, and the gendered dimensions of clothing choices. Thus, the examination of these aspects can deepen our understanding of how identity is constructed, negotiated, and expressed in institutional contexts, illustrating the complex interplay between individual agency and social conformity.

References

• Carlyle, T. (1896). Sartor Resartus. Boston, Mass.: Ginn and Company.
• Goffman, E. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Anchor.
• Keenan, W.J.R. (2001). Dressed to Impress: Looking the Part. Oxford: Berg.
• Malson, H., Marshall, H., & Woollett, A. (2000). Talking of Taste: A Discourse Analytic Exploration of Young Women’s Gendered and Racialized Subjectivities in British Urban, Multicultural Contexts. Feminism & Psychology.
• Winston, D. (2001). Living in the Material World: The Changing Role of Salvation Army Women. Journal of Urban History.
• Fields, J. (1990). Erotic Modesty: (Ad) dressing Female Sexuality and Propriety in Open and Closed Drawers, USA. Gender & History.
• Paulicelli, E. (2002). Fashion, the Politics of Style and National Identity in Pre-Fascist Italy. Gender & History.
• Storr, M. (2004). Classy Lingerie. Feminist Review.
• Meyer, D.J.C., & Anderson, H.C. (2004). Preadolescents and Apparel Purchasing: Conformity to Parents and Peers in the Consumer Socialization Process. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality.
• Swain, J. (2001). The Right Stuff: Fashioning and Identity through Clothing in a Junior School. Gender and Education.