this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
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[–] Hylactor@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 days ago

Some additional social constructs they may be more sentimental about: gifts, allowance, summer vacation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, doors, privacy, the internet.

[–] TimewornTraveler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (3 children)

everyone replying that socks have a practical use, as if social constructs arent practical???

my issue is that even though "clothing" is a social construct, the stuff that socks are made out of is not. calling that stuff a sock is a social construct, but choosing to put the fabric on your body is not. becoming "clothed" is a social construct, but the unspecified uncategorized state of having that fabric on your body is just a physical state, not a construct. the meaning we apply to it is the thing that wouldn't exist without socially constructed systems of meaning.

It's kinda sad, i guess. I'm usually the first one to champion XYZ is a social construct, and have to deal with morons not understanding it, but here? no one is willing to say it?

Socks are not a social construct.

[–] PrettyFlyForAFatGuy@feddit.uk 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Social constructs are Social constructs

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[–] kamen@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

"Sure, but your feet would still get cold."

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 192 points 4 days ago (21 children)

Socks keep your shoes from absorbing sweat and help prevent blisters. They’re useful beyond the social construct.

[–] lunarul@lemmy.world 69 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Not wearing stinky shoes is a social construct.

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[–] zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 34 points 4 days ago (5 children)

Arguments like these don’t work with kids. Let them experience themselves what is best for them. And have spare socks ready in case they change their mind afterwards

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[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 132 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Next time the kid asks for an allowance, say that money is a social construct

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 41 points 4 days ago (5 children)

parents feeding children is a social construct.

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[–] mobotsar@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

I get that it's a joke, but wearing socks is not a social construct-- it's a social convention, but its utility is driven primarily by non-social factors. A social construct is an idea created and maintained by society specifically for its social function, which neither socks nor the act or wearing them nor the idea that wearing socks is good, are.

[–] Zacryon@feddit.org 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Vegetables are a social construct too.

Afaik, botanically, there is no such thing as a "vegetable". Only fruits. What we perceive as "vegetable" differs between cultures worldwide.

[–] REDACTED@infosec.pub 3 points 2 days ago (5 children)

Wait till you find out that some places around the world think fish meat does not count as meat and is vegetarian

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 1 points 14 hours ago

I have no problem believing that every society has ludicrous cultural vestiges that can undoubtedly be traced back to a religious practice. For example, some Pope might declare that fish isn't meat based on an example of linguistic sophistry to protect the fishing industry.

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[–] don@lemmy.ca 31 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Good point, kid, and here’s another one: those toys you want me to buy you are a social construct. Playtime? Yep. Social construct. Shall I keep going? Video games are next.

[–] kreskin@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (10 children)

Not that I advocate violence, but not beating your kids, selling them on the street, or making them work in a factory is also a social contract.

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[–] saimen@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago

Borders are a social construct. Yet there are people killing each other about it.

Your company is a social construct. Yet it provides you with work and money.

Money is a social construct. Yet your kids still want their allowances.

[–] nialv7@lemmy.world 56 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Something being a social construct doesn't mean it's not real, or ignoring it won't negatively affect you.

Laws, money, etc. are all social constructs.

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[–] irelephant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 37 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Some social constructs serve a purpose.

[–] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago (7 children)

I like Max Stirner's perspective. Like you said, they can be useful - but we can also give them too much authority over us. It's important to be aware of that.

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[–] vrojak@feddit.org 81 points 4 days ago (13 children)

"You've made a correct observation, now please provide an argument why the social construct of x should not be adhered to. X is dumb and I don't wanna is not sufficient."

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[–] figjam@midwest.social 37 points 3 days ago (10 children)

Socks serve a practical purpose when combined with shoes. They prevent rubbing (blisters) and they keep the skin cells and oils from your feet from the insides of your shoes.

Shoes serve a practical purpose in that they protect your feet from rocks, glass, and hot pavement. Did our ancestors need shoes? No. But humans have made our environments less friendly to bare feet

[–] hansolo@lemmy.today 28 points 3 days ago (4 children)

Our ancestors DID need shoes. Footprints in South Africa dated to be between 75K and 136K years old show footwear in use. We invented shoes possibly 100,000 years before we invented written language.

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[–] Leonixster@lemmy.blahaj.zone 21 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Reminds me of the time I saw people arguing on Reddit about the phrase "time is a social construct" where some people were completely incapable of understanding what that means and conflating the concept of time with the fundamental physics thingymcgee (idk how to call it and entity feels wrong).

People were trying so hard to explain that minutes, months, seasons, etc. are all arbitrary things made up only for them to retort with "but a year is a full rotation of the sun" or "seasons exist because that's how the planet changes its climate".

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[–] recked_wralph@lemmy.world 21 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It is a social construct, and we live in a society… so put your damn socks on

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[–] Snowclone@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I let my kid go all flower child about the socks. he got athletes foot. Socks SPECIFICALLY are not a social construct. they prevent athletes foot.

[–] SketchySeaBeast@lemmy.ca 11 points 3 days ago (7 children)

Hygiene IS a social construct, but that doesn't mean it isn't there for a good reason.

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[–] neuracnu@lemmy.blahaj.zone 41 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Your mom is a social construct.

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[–] outerspace@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 days ago

Social constructs are real.things, so here you go

[–] Passerby6497@lemmy.world 23 points 3 days ago

'Your allowance is a social construct, so I guess we won't be doing that anymore..."

[–] tino@lemmy.world 18 points 3 days ago (2 children)

with this heat wave, wearing any clothes is also a social construct.

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[–] D_C@sh.itjust.works 26 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (11 children)

Having a shit is a natural process, however doing it privately in toilets is nowadays somewhat of a social construct.
So, should I stop using the toilet and use your bed instead?

(Edit: I didn't think I needed to add an /s but...)

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[–] sundray@lemmus.org 43 points 4 days ago (9 children)

This would be a great time to remind him that we live in a society...

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[–] HugeNerd@lemmy.ca 17 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Parents feeding their kids is also a social construct. The Ancients tossed their kids in the salt mines quite early.

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[–] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 23 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The next time they say “Socks are a social construct.” Tell them that blisters are punishment for man’s hubris.

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[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Nick sounds like a dipshit if he can't figure out how to argue against socks being a social construct.

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[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 32 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

"Sure socks are a social construct, but so are the things that let you eat ice cream, watch your favorite streaming service, or play your favorite video game. In fact the only non-social construct actions you involve yourself in are eating, sleeping, and expelling bio waste. Even those you seem to have no problem follow the social rules around. If you'd like to abandon society and escape into nature free of the bounds of social constructs, you're welcome to do that when you're 18 and can afford enough to buy a plane ticket to Fairbanks, Alaska. Until then, you have to put on your socks."

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[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 25 points 4 days ago

"Yes, but that doesn't automatically mean it's wrong or a bad thing.

[–] nandeEbisu@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago (4 children)

Many things are social constructs, but we also live in social groups

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[–] ZMonster@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

"Very good. That's exactly right. That also includes early bedtimes, no electronics, and double servings of vegetables. All social constructs that I can establish any time you want."

😊 🫴🏀

[–] Nangijala@feddit.dk 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Having a parent who clothes and feeds you is a social construct too. Funny how people think that "social construct" means that something is bad or should be dismissed when none of us would be here without social constructs.

At least this time the argument is being made by the only age group where I would give them a pass for being stupid. Unless that kid is past the age of 12, that is.

[–] Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 13 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (10 children)

I think the point is the fact it's a social construct on its own is neither pro or against the thing itself, rather that it can/should be able to be questioned.

Yes wearing socks is a social construct, but it provides inherent benefits such as reducing the smell produced by your feet and lingering in the shoes. It also helps protect your feet further in some ways then just a shoe alone would.

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