Can an Individual Change Society?

Can an Individual Change Society?



Can an Individual Change Society?

The earth supports all life, and population growth has been weighing on the available resources. The utilization of resources, particularly technology, is founded on the need to improve human life. Technology has a significant impact on life on earth, with fields such as education, communication, and medicine being beneficiaries, however there is an over dependence on technology in the home environment. Life has integrated too much technology in the home, which has led to sedentary lifestyles, and resultant conditions that come with it. Chores around the house, which were conducted manually have either been mechanized or outsourced, meaning that even the little exercise that can be drawn from productive engagements has been reduced to none (Bjornholt, 2014). Although some technology is needed and beneficial to the home such as the refrigerator, technology such as washing machines have lowered the physical activity an individual may derive health benefits. In this essay, the use of technology is subjected to critic following the changes in active roles that have been derived from technology’s use. A technology-dependent community is the best definition of today’s generation, considering the amount of electrical and electronic gadgets that are incorporated in the home. The society has become over-reliant on technology, such that a failure in that technology constitutes incompletion of a task.

Getting people to engage in physical chores around the home is tough, especially with the tight schedules people keep. For this exercise, I used pamphlets to provide my audience with important information towards adopting a healthier lifestyle. The content in the pamphlets was focused on ensuring that the audience concentrates on the benefits of engaging in physical activities around the home. The introduction to the pamphlet captured the trends of the home, incorporating using washing machines, blowers, lawnmowers, and other tools. This was followed by an analysis of the costs that are associated with operating such tools, from the use of electricity, to diesel. In addition to the costs was the need for maintenance, and the effect some of the machines have on the environment, such as noise, and vibrations. The cost analysis was followed by a benefits analysis of not using the tools and engaging in manual work instead. The value of engaging in activities in place of the machines was done on a calorific basis, considering the amount of calories burnt by an average man and woman engaging in various chores. In addition, the benefits of burning up calories are highlighted on a timeline basis. The strategy followed a cost-benefit analysis of engaging in chores over the use of machines.

The reaction from most people was vague, it seemed like they were not enthusiastic on the idea. The audience is used to the use of machines for household chores, and this approach meant people being tired, and spending more time doing chores. Considering the current lifestyle, it was the expected reaction, but a percentage of the people seemed excited over the idea. It was noted that people who were involved in dieting and weight watching were interested in the calorific benefits associated with the chores. The condensation of the information in a pamphlet allowed the audience the opportunity to carry the information for later. I believe that part of the reaction stemmed from the chosen time to provide the pamphlets, which was after work, when most people are tired. It seemed like an addition into the tiredness, the audience was experiencing. Interested people were engaging, often asking questions on where the information was sourced from and if it had any effect on other dieting programs. Some of the parents were optimistic, but referred to assigning some of the suggested chores to their children. This was a positive remark, considering the current issue of overweight children and a growing rate of obesity in the younger people.

The outcomes of my actions were observed a few days following the distribution of pamphlets. An increase in the number of people engaged in chores around the homes, such as raking the compounds as opposed to using blowers, was noted. The weekend was filled with neighbours engaged in housecleaning activities, which were often tasks that were delegated to casual employees. Another benefit to the outcomes was bonding of family. Families engaged in the household chores were helpful towards each other and the communication between members resulted in a fun activity. The results of engaging in such work were not immediately visible in the form of calories burnt data, which was absent, but families seemed to benefit from interactions rather than weight management. The outcome that can be quantified in relation to the project was a lot of sweat. People were more active following the pamphlets that were distributed to the community. Sadly, the number of people engaged in chores would drop over the following days, and the technology dependent norm of the community would soon take over. The pamphlet was effective in spreading information on some of the household activities that one may engage in and manage weight and health within the home.

Considering my experiences, it is possible for a single individual to change the world, but with garnered support. Getting support for any project involving changing the norms of the community is important for the success of a project (Giddens, 2006), since even with new information and a lack of a support and monitoring system, people often fall back to their comfort state (Inglehart & Welzel, 2005). Comfort is an aspect of life that has contributed to the laxity of people engaging in activities that use the least of effort (Chirot, 1994). Engaging people in physical activities that promote healthy living and help in weight management is a challenge that requires an elaborate and vibrant support system. Changing the mind-set of people, and how they undertake different tasks is subjected to challenges from simpler ways of ensuring similar or better results, mainly because the people lean towards the least expense in personal time and energy (Stimson, 2006). Adopting such a lifestyle has many detriments that should be addressed by health experts, who should encourage taking up more chores as a form of easing the strain on the body in dealing with cholesterol, and weight, among other lifestyle based health challenges (Haralambos & Holborn, 2004). An individual may change the world, but when a vibrant support system exists.


Bjornholt, M. (2014). Changing Men, Changing Times: fathers and Sons from an Experimental Gender Equality Study. The Sociological Review, 62(2): 295-315.

Chirot, D. (1994). How Society Changes. New York: SAGE Publications.

Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Haralambos, M., & Holborn, M. (2004). Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. London: Harper Collins.


Stimson, H. L. (2006). Political Order in Changing Societies. New York: Yale University.

Leave a Reply


WordPress.com Logo


Twitter picture


Facebook photo


Google+ photo


Connecting to %s

%d bloggers like this: