chand150: November 2011 Archives

Engineers aren't known for being the most socially outgoing people. When one thinks of an engineer, the stereotype is of a person that stumbles over their words, avoids eye contact, fidgets, and makes awkward comments. In fact, a fairly common joke is: When talking to an engineer, how can you tell an extroverted one from an introverted one? An extroverted engineer will look at your shoes rather than their own when talking to you.

Although this isn't the case with all engineers, there is some truth behind it. I'm in the mechanical engineering program and I have to deal with a lot of students that are just plain odd. The College of Science and Engineering is starting a program called the Gemini Project in order to combat this problem. The Gemini Project "teaches social and professional networking skills to students who may otherwise struggle in those areas and specifically targets engineering students" (MN Daily, 2011-09-26). After doing a little digging, I found out that there used to be a class that taught interpersonal skills but it isn't offered anymore. I think that a lot of engineering students would benefit from a class like this. The only problem is that if they are not comfortable talking to people they may not be willing to take a class where they know they'll have to interact with others.

Luckily, we aren't all like that. I'm living proof of an engineer that's eager to start random conversations and meet new people.

Over the past century, the "correct" method to parenting has varied wildly. The suggested approaches have swung from parent-centered, where the child can basically cry all they want and get no attention, to child-centered, when as soon as the child makes a noise the parent is there and ready to help (388). No matter the method parents use, there will always be a debate about which is best.

According to Diana Baumrind, there are four different categories for Caucasian middle-class families: permissive, authoritarian, authoritative, and uninvolved. The permissive style allows a lot of freedom and uses very little discipline. The authoritarian approach is pretty much the opposite and the parents are extremely strict. Authoritative is a nice balance between the two, using the best features of each, and uninvolved is exactly how it sounds, the parents mostly ignore their children.

Seeing as how I'm a Caucasian male from a middle-class family, I found this pertained to my life and I've seen each of the four approaches. Luckily, my parents fit into the authoritative category and I turned out pretty well (I think). When I would get good grades or help out with work around the house, they would reward me with a special dinner or even a simple "thank you". On the flip side, if I fought with my brother or if the cops visited our house (I was innocent!), I was disciplined accordingly. Through this approach, I learned the difference between right and wrong and I have a great relationship with my parents.

I have friends that come from each of the four categories and it's interesting to think about how it affected them. One of my friends always seemed very sheltered and would rarely come out to socialize on Friday nights, and I didn't realize what caused this until I met her father. He seemed like an ex-drill sergeant and definitely fell into the authoritarian category. Then I had other friends that could pretty much do whatever they felt like and their parents would actually buy them alcohol because they told them to. This always struck me as exceptionally irresponsible and now those friends are either still living at home or taking care of their own children.

I'm grateful that my parents raised me the way they did and I let them know every time I call home.