Dorothy Lee Individual Autonomy And Social Structure Analysis
Dorothy Lee states that not every society provides freedom to an individual. Different societies have different cultures and beliefs. In modern societies rules and regulation are set and expected to be followed. People know what norms are to be followed. All of this leads to personal autonomy being breached. In the article Individual Autonomy and Social Structure by Dorothy Lee, she gives various examples of societies in which personal autonomy have been established.
Lee uses examples from different societies claiming that personal autonomy does not turmoil the society. In these societies all individuals have respect for other individuals and they value each other. Many children are taught what is right and what is wrong through socializing.
Sometimes they are even rewarded for following norm and sometimes they are punished for breaking the norm. Lee gives example of Navaho where there is no minority status for children. Navaho will not take it upon himself to speak for another, whether for adult or child (Lee, 1996, p.12). If a father wants to sell his son’s bow and arrow, even if the child is in a bad condition and need clothing, he will not sell becauseit’s his son’s decision in the end. What they want is their child to learn from past experiences. They also want equality in the society so that no one considers themselves as a leader. Therefore, personal autonomy is defined as every individual is making its own decision. In other example Lee gives the example of a baby when he starts to walk his mother does not child proof the surrounding and the child gets burned a little.The mother helps him understand and deal with that particular danger. By taking a chance on her child, the mother teaches him to be ready to meet and deal with danger, instead of warning him away from danger (Lee, 1956, p.13). Hence Navaho uses child rearing in the process of reaching personal autonomy.
Dorothy Lee tells us how important is personal autonomy for some societies and how some societies like ours underestimate it. People in our society believe that personal autonomy spreads chaos among individuals. Although tribes like Navaho and Wintu, are spending their lives respecting personal autonomy. Either the way they speak or the way they react doesn’t violate individual integrity. The fact remains that consistency was there; that the principle was upheld by the various aspects of the culture (Lee, 1956, p.14). Finally, Dorothy Lee believes that law and personal autonomy can coexist. The solution to the social problem is to learn individual decisions, both good and bad. After all, experience makes you to make wiser and responsible decisions, and help you with personal growth.
Lee uses examples from different societies claiming that personal autonomy does not turmoil the society. In these societies all individuals have respect for other individuals and they value each other. Many children are taught what is right and what is wrong through socializing.
Sometimes they are even rewarded for following norm and sometimes they are punished for breaking the norm. Lee gives example of Navaho where there is no minority status for children. Navaho will not take it upon himself to speak for another, whether for adult or child (Lee, 1996, p.12). If a father wants to sell his son’s bow and arrow, even if the child is in a bad condition and need clothing, he will not sell becauseit’s his son’s decision in the end. What they want is their child to learn from past experiences. They also want equality in the society so that no one considers themselves as a leader. Therefore, personal autonomy is defined as every individual is making its own decision. In other example Lee gives the example of a baby when he starts to walk his mother does not child proof the surrounding and the child gets burned a little.The mother helps him understand and deal with that particular danger. By taking a chance on her child, the mother teaches him to be ready to meet and deal with danger, instead of warning him away from danger (Lee, 1956, p.13). Hence Navaho uses child rearing in the process of reaching personal autonomy.
Dorothy Lee tells us how important is personal autonomy for some societies and how some societies like ours underestimate it. People in our society believe that personal autonomy spreads chaos among individuals. Although tribes like Navaho and Wintu, are spending their lives respecting personal autonomy. Either the way they speak or the way they react doesn’t violate individual integrity. The fact remains that consistency was there; that the principle was upheld by the various aspects of the culture (Lee, 1956, p.14). Finally, Dorothy Lee believes that law and personal autonomy can coexist. The solution to the social problem is to learn individual decisions, both good and bad. After all, experience makes you to make wiser and responsible decisions, and help you with personal growth.