Society

Society is defined as the totality of social relationships among humans. The society a person lives in has a big impact on how he or she is raised. People's beliefs, morals, expectations, and traditions are influenced by the society in which they grew up. Different societies have different values and norms; what is acceptable in one may not be acceptable in another. Whether it is a tradition, sexual preference, or a particular attitude, each society has its own way of doing things that separate the normal from the unacceptable.

Homosexuality has been a long debated issue. Today, in America, more and more people are open to different sexual orientations, and science is beginning to show that a person's sexual preference may be biologically predetermined. However, homosexuality remains unacceptable in many societies around the world. In "Bridegroom", Baowen tried to hide his homosexuality because the society he lived in was against it. He even married a girl, Beina, to make the act believable. However, he was caught, imprisoned, and sent to a rehabilitation program that used electrocution to make him straight. The doctors continued to electrocute him in a tub of water as their method of "curing" his "disease." At the end, even the head doctor admitted that there was no cure for being gay; that their efforts were just a substitution for imprisonment or death. Baowen was eventually sent to prison for his sexual orientation, because the society he lived in was not willing to accept him or his preference. It went against their social norms.

Traditions are a very important part of a society. They help bring its members together and give everyone some common culture. Holidays, foods, events, or opinions that most members of the society share are all traditions. For example, Halloween and Thanksgiving are celebrated in America, but may not be known or accepted in other countries. In "The Lottery"