Territoriality: A Neglected Sociological Dimension
All living organisms have some sense of territoriality, whether learned or instinctive to their species, in which control over space is deemed central for survival. There are a few types of territories that people can have.
Public Territories
Public territories are areas where individuals have freedom of access, but not necessarily of action, but their claim to citizenship. These territories are open to all, but certain images and expectations of appropriate behavior and of the categories of individuals who are normally perceived as using these territories modify freedom. It is safe to say that illegal activities and impermissible behaviors will not occur in these places.
Home Territories
Home territories are areas where regular participants have a relative freedom of behavior and a sense of intimacy and control over the area. Some examples that the reading gives us includes makeshift club houses of children, hobo jungles, and homosexual bars. One of the main differences between home and public territories is that home territories may be established by “sponsorship” or “colonization.”
Interactional Territories
Interactional territories are any area where a social gathering may occur. Going to a party would be considered an interactional territories. These types of territories are either mobile, or they can stay in one place. This means that if a group of people are talking, they can either just stand or sit while they talk, or they can be walking around when they are talking.
Body Territories
Body territories to put it simply is the space of the body. By someone you do not know or do not like touches your body somehow, it is invading your territory. This territory is always changing because the body is always changing. People are getting new scars, cuts, piercings, or tattoos all the time. Another way it could change is by gaining or losing weight.
Public Territories
Public territories are areas where individuals have freedom of access, but not necessarily of action, but their claim to citizenship. These territories are open to all, but certain images and expectations of appropriate behavior and of the categories of individuals who are normally perceived as using these territories modify freedom. It is safe to say that illegal activities and impermissible behaviors will not occur in these places.
Home Territories
Home territories are areas where regular participants have a relative freedom of behavior and a sense of intimacy and control over the area. Some examples that the reading gives us includes makeshift club houses of children, hobo jungles, and homosexual bars. One of the main differences between home and public territories is that home territories may be established by “sponsorship” or “colonization.”
Interactional Territories
Interactional territories are any area where a social gathering may occur. Going to a party would be considered an interactional territories. These types of territories are either mobile, or they can stay in one place. This means that if a group of people are talking, they can either just stand or sit while they talk, or they can be walking around when they are talking.
Body Territories
Body territories to put it simply is the space of the body. By someone you do not know or do not like touches your body somehow, it is invading your territory. This territory is always changing because the body is always changing. People are getting new scars, cuts, piercings, or tattoos all the time. Another way it could change is by gaining or losing weight.