FaceWork
In life, every day a person makes many social encounters, whether it is face to face or through others. Microsociology’s theory of “facework” can be defined as the positive social value a person effectively claims for his or her self by the line others assume he or she has taken during a particular contact. There are different parts that make up “facework”: roles (images actors want to portray), scripts (expected lines of communication) and face (social value a person claims for themselves). Facework can often be seen being done by entertainers, primarily rappers and basketball players. They have a certain image and social value that they want to portray to everyone.
Furthermore, in the entertainment industry music artists have many social encounters with people they do not physically met. Social media has played a major role in the face that majority of entertainer have. For those that do not know entertainers personally, they go off what is seen in the media or social networks such as Twitter and Instagram. Social media gives entertainers a platform to portray who they want their fans and everyone else to see them. For example, on Instagram, rappers show off the nice things they have: jewelry, cars, clothes, and shoes, take random vacations and etc. Entertainers such as Meek Mill, Rick Ross and Chief Keef are all examples of rappers who portray a role of being rich and famous. The role they are trying to portray is that they have lots of money.
Also, entertainers have scripts, which are expected lines of communication. They are expected to communicate with fans through social media by responding to comments posted under pictures on Instagram or to tweets on twitter. Entertainers are expected to communicate with everyone through the media. They are often seen on TV, being interviewed, at award shows and etc. They are also expected to behave a certain way when conversing with people and people are supposed to respond a certain way back to them. This is not the only way that entertainers do facework.
Entertainers also have a social value that they try to claim which is known as face. When they feel like they are giving face they are confident and self-assured. However, when they are in the wrong face or out of face they become embarrassed or ashamed. For example, when Dwayne Wade was scrutinized for cheating on his actress girlfriend Gabrielle Union. Anybody that knows Dwayne Wade, knows that he is a very famous and well-liked basketball player. His social value allows him to do things that the ordinary person cannot get away with. In order for Wade to save face, he had to admit and apologize to his girlfriend publicly for his wrongdoings. This effort can be seen by posts on his Instagram, even a more recent one where he subtly addressed the situation in a photo caption of his girlfriend. Although he was scrutinized harshly by many, that did not stop others from still loving and supporting him. This is the same thing that happened with Kobe Bryant and his rape trial. No matter what these entertainers do, they can save face due to the way that they portray themselves and the way they are accepted.
In conclusion, the theory of face can be applied to individuals in everyday life. However, it is easier to see with people of celebrity status. They have a certain facework that they must maintain because of the social interactions they have on a daily basis. Whether it be in person or through social media. They must keep a certain face because they have to remain consistent with who they want to portray themselves as. In society, everyone has certain roles, scripts and face that they put on when they encounter people.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/18/kobe.bryant/
http://www.ibtimes.com/dwyane-wade-honors-gabrielle-union-instagram-calls-fiance-his-beautiful-black-queen-photo-1559706
Rapper Meek Mill leaning on expensive car in Instagram photo.
In life, every day a person makes many social encounters, whether it is face to face or through others. Microsociology’s theory of “facework” can be defined as the positive social value a person effectively claims for his or her self by the line others assume he or she has taken during a particular contact. There are different parts that make up “facework”: roles (images actors want to portray), scripts (expected lines of communication) and face (social value a person claims for themselves). Facework can often be seen being done by entertainers, primarily rappers and basketball players. They have a certain image and social value that they want to portray to everyone.
Furthermore, in the entertainment industry music artists have many social encounters with people they do not physically met. Social media has played a major role in the face that majority of entertainer have. For those that do not know entertainers personally, they go off what is seen in the media or social networks such as Twitter and Instagram. Social media gives entertainers a platform to portray who they want their fans and everyone else to see them. For example, on Instagram, rappers show off the nice things they have: jewelry, cars, clothes, and shoes, take random vacations and etc. Entertainers such as Meek Mill, Rick Ross and Chief Keef are all examples of rappers who portray a role of being rich and famous. The role they are trying to portray is that they have lots of money.
Also, entertainers have scripts, which are expected lines of communication. They are expected to communicate with fans through social media by responding to comments posted under pictures on Instagram or to tweets on twitter. Entertainers are expected to communicate with everyone through the media. They are often seen on TV, being interviewed, at award shows and etc. They are also expected to behave a certain way when conversing with people and people are supposed to respond a certain way back to them. This is not the only way that entertainers do facework.
Entertainers also have a social value that they try to claim which is known as face. When they feel like they are giving face they are confident and self-assured. However, when they are in the wrong face or out of face they become embarrassed or ashamed. For example, when Dwayne Wade was scrutinized for cheating on his actress girlfriend Gabrielle Union. Anybody that knows Dwayne Wade, knows that he is a very famous and well-liked basketball player. His social value allows him to do things that the ordinary person cannot get away with. In order for Wade to save face, he had to admit and apologize to his girlfriend publicly for his wrongdoings. This effort can be seen by posts on his Instagram, even a more recent one where he subtly addressed the situation in a photo caption of his girlfriend. Although he was scrutinized harshly by many, that did not stop others from still loving and supporting him. This is the same thing that happened with Kobe Bryant and his rape trial. No matter what these entertainers do, they can save face due to the way that they portray themselves and the way they are accepted.
In conclusion, the theory of face can be applied to individuals in everyday life. However, it is easier to see with people of celebrity status. They have a certain facework that they must maintain because of the social interactions they have on a daily basis. Whether it be in person or through social media. They must keep a certain face because they have to remain consistent with who they want to portray themselves as. In society, everyone has certain roles, scripts and face that they put on when they encounter people.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/18/kobe.bryant/
http://www.ibtimes.com/dwyane-wade-honors-gabrielle-union-instagram-calls-fiance-his-beautiful-black-queen-photo-1559706
Rapper Meek Mill leaning on expensive car in Instagram photo.