Sociology is the study of societies. Sociology analyzes different social phenomena, such as ethnicity, gender and sexuality, to better understand the dominant values ​​[and "norms"] that underpin the functioning of a society and provide an individual with a feeling of belonging or attachment. This view of human behavior, both as an individual and as a member of a group, has formed the foundation of sociological thought in the past and is still relevant to understanding the present and future. This essay is divided into three main points: history; legacy systems and thinking; and institutions in modern society – to support the role of sociology in helping us understand “sex, gender and sexualities” as important social phenomena. Holmes, Hughes and Julian (2012, p. 22) introduce us to Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx – the three eminent social thinkers of the 19th century. Through their respective works, “social integration, social inequality and social reproduction” are presented to us as the three models that are still very relevant in sociological studies today. Durkheim, Weber, and Marx each used historical, critical, and comparative methodologies to support their theories. Today, these methodologies, when used together, are known as “sociological imagination.” The sociological imagination gives meaning to the history which created the current configuration; compares past and present circumstances; and critically analyzes how these meanings affect an individual in their current environment (Holmes, Hughes; and Julian, 2012, p. ) Marx's theoretical thinking is based on inequality and social reproduction – which is particularly evident in his interpretation of capitalism. In general, we link ...... middle of article ......economic globalization and the status of women in the labor market: a cross-national investigation of gender segregation and inequality at work. Sociological Quarterly, 44(3), 351-383. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/sociology/docview/234980716/30D720B052324D20PQ/2?accountid=10344Thelwall .M. (2008), Social networks, gender and friendship: analysis of MySpace member profiles, in Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, volume 59, number 8, pp1321-1330. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/doi/10.1002/asi.20835/full Vaux .A. (1985), Variations in social support associated with gender, ethnicity, and age, in Journal of Social Issues, volume 41, number 1, pp 89-110. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/doi/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1985.tb01118.x/abstract