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August Comte | A young boy wearing a pink golf tee and track pants | Source: Getty Images
5 Facts about Sociology — from Its Pioneers to Pink and Blue Gender Norms
By
Akhona Zungu
Jan 25, 202401:30 P.M.
A relatively "new" scientific discipline, Sociology delves into the expansive sphere of human social relationships, behaviors, and institutions. Like the others, it has evolved over time, recognizing the significance of the systems that govern society.
The name Sociology was derived from the Latin word socius, meaning "companion," and the Greek word logos, meaning "speech" or "reason." When combined, these words are said to produce the meaning "reasoned speech about companionship."
In a nutshell, this is the beginning of understanding what sociology entails. It studies social life, change, causes, and the consequences of human behavior. This discipline picks apart social structures, societies, and organizations to understand how people interact with one another within such contexts.
It covers a wide range of subject matter, from intimate familial structures and relationships to crime, racial and social divisions, and much more. It is as complex as it is intriguing and informative. If you want to learn more, the facts about Sociology below should get you started.
A large crowd of people bustling through the streets | Source: Shutterstock
5 Facts about Sociology
1. Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès coined the term "Sociology."
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès was a French essayist who lived between 1748 and 1836. He first used the term "Sociology" in an unpublished manuscript in 1780. August Comte, a recognized pioneer of Sociology, reintroduced the word in 1836.
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes (1748-1836) | Source: Getty Images
2. The first female sociologist was Harriet Martineau.
Harriet Martineau was born in 1802 in England. She began writing in the 1830s, with one of her first works being a series of stories titled "Illustrations of Political Economy." She was of Unitarian faith and strongly advocated against slavery, inequality, the injustices faced by young women, and more.
Martineau was the first to translate August Comte's work from French to English in 1853. She was also a renowned writer whose work delved into the social issues she was passionate about.
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) | Source: Getty Images
3. A well-known sociologic phenomenon is that pink was once designated for boys and blue for girls.
Indeed, pink was designated for boys and blue for girls. It was believed, at the time, that because pink was a stronger color, it was suitable for boys, while blue was more delicate and dainty and thus suited girls.
Up to the age of around 6, however, children wore dainty white dresses. The above-explained gender-specific categorization is said to have begun after the First World War.
An italian child pictured in 1914 | Source: Getty Images
The swap that led to pink being designated for girls and blue for boys was influenced by many significant movements over the 20th century, including the feminist movement.
This swap was then cemented around the mid-1980s, according to historian Jo B Paoletti, as she recalled, "All of a sudden it wasn't just a blue overall; it was a blue overall with a teddy bear holding a football."
Two babies facing away from the camera dressed in pink and blue | Source: Getty Images
4. Sociology emerged in response to the Industrial Revolution.
The Industrial Revolution brought drastic social and economic change during the 18th and 19th centuries, including capitalism and social class division. These changes disrupted social order and brought on social upheaval. Early sociologists were interested in understanding why.
From A Concise History of the International Exhibition of 1862, published 1862 | Source: Getty Images
5. There is more than one Father of Sociology.
Harriet Martineau is considered the Mother of Sociology, but who are the fathers? Traditionally, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber are often grouped together under this title, though you'll find that August Comte is also considered a Father of Sociology.
Auguste Francois Xavier Comte (1798-1857) | Source: Getty Images
Hopefully, these facts about sociology have given you enough insight to intrigue you about the scientific discipline. For more interesting trivia, check out these fun facts about architecture.
