Who Am I - Essay Example

Who am I? In order to understand the topic well, it is necessary to elaborate what a social role is. It is the set of linked obligations, rights as well as behaviors as it is perceived by actors in a social situation. It is an anticipated or continuously transforming behavior that may give a person social status/position. According to Mcleod they are the part that is played by individuals as members of a social group (1). The behavior of an individual changes with each role the person adopts. This is because, the person has to fit others expectations if they have similar role as well as ones expectations. Each and every single role we play bears the anticipated behavior known as norms (unwritten rules regarding conduct). The norms help us to behave in a certain group or culture (Biddle 67). As a student and a son, there are specific social roles I ought to play in order to live harmoniously with everyone in my environment. To begin with, I am supposed to interact and copy well with instructors and my fellow colleagues at school. I am supposed to address my teachers with respect and follow the set rules and regulations of my institution. In doing so, I ought to be at the right place at the right time; if it is class time, I should not be late for lectures. Similarly, during exams I should be prepared on time and ensure I have everything required. With regard to exams, it is a social disorder to cheat and thus I revise for my exams well and do it alone. Additionally, I finish my take away assignments in time to avoid problems with my tutors. With regard to schoolmates, I ensure my interaction is proper by dressing properly not to attract the attention of others and thus being disruptive. Another thing is that I regard every as equal and give them the respect they due. Furthermore, I share my knowledge with those in need and in turn get to learn from others. Additionally, I relate well with opposite sex and that built my confidence and esteem as well. The other I don’t forget is appreciating people for who they are and understanding that we are all different. In turn, I get the same treatment and thus live harmoniously with all in my environment. As a son to my parents, I have numerous social roles I ought to fulfill. For instance, obeying my parents and appreciating them for what they provide and do for me. Further, I thank them for bringing me into the world and taking care of my wellbeing. I also help them when out of school with house chores and other assignments within my ability. Additionally, my behavior outside home does not worry my parents because I avoid causing trouble as much as I can. Lastly, I try my best at school in order to get good grades and thus make them happy and satisfied. My parents come from a community where culture is strictly upheld and as such, I had to learn most of it right from my early years. One and the most emphasized cultural value that I learnt and has influenced me up to date is self-reliance. As much as parents are there to see us through most of our issues, self-reliance is a value my parents especially my mother tried to emphasis. I learnt that the best way to succeed in life is through focusing on what I can achieve on my own and when am at liberty. When I was young and at explicit care of my mother, I could make many mistakes and quarrel with her most of the times. The problem was that she was trying to impart on me the significance of self-reliance. She could leave home without assigning me any work but when she came back, she would expect that I finished all cleaning and little laundry. I was stubborn at times but the moment I learnt that I was just punishing myself, I could complete almost everything there was to be done. In that manner, I realized that I could not stay hungry during lunch time simply because my mother left without preparing it for me. In fact, so many things changed and everyone was in harmony with me, even my dad who always thought I was stubborn. The experience my parents gave me enabled me to become reliant to an extent that I current pay most of my bills while studying. This does not affect my performance in any way because the value was imparted a long time ago. Further, being reliant has helped attain most of objectives although small and might not be appreciated; they give me the confidence and courage to live among scholars. Thus this cultural value has changed me into a better person. Currently, I am faced with a leisure problem because of lack of sufficient time. The load of work both inside and outside school is affecting my socialization time. In school, I have been having many assignments and exams every now and then. The problem is that I have to pass my exams and hence I am spending most of my in the library when there are lecturers. After reading for my exams, I go for a part-time job in order to get money to fund my expenses, which am happy doing because I am self-reliant. After all these things, I am very tired to an extent that I don’t even speak with my next door neighbor in campus or at home. During holidays, I work full time in order to help my parents with other siblings as well as other home requirements. Following all that comes with self-reliance, I find no time to dinner or chat with my friends. This is quiet unhealthy and brain damaging because I get depressed most of the times. With all the responsibilities and life demands I have, I have no option but to jungle all these tasks. However, I am working towards changing my personal time plan in order to incorporate leisure time and see if I will get time to relax. Works Cited Biddle, Bruce. Recent developments in role theory. Annual Review of Sociology,1986, 12: 67– 92. Mcleod, Saul. Social roles. 2008. Web. 18 Oct. 2011 Read More