The Citizen and Social Identity
Prior to class read and précis pages 143-159 of
‘AS Citizenship’ by Holden-Rowley and Blewitt.
Socialisation is about rules of behaviour
Hence …
Do not chat in class.
Put your hand up if you have a question to ask.
Turn off your mobile.
Where do we learn this from?
Quick class discussion……
• What do we mean by identity?
• Watch the slide show as you write down your ideas.
• Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.
Socialisation is:
• The process of learning the culturally/socially accepted rules of behaviour, norms and values upon which they are based
• Think of all the ‘rules’ you follow in a normal day. Why do you follow them?
Socialisation and cultural identity
• The first and primary stage of socialisation - is when an individual is introduced to social behaviour. This occurs through families - parents and adults socialising while teaching the young ways to behave.
Secondary socialisation
• Carried out by institutions (school), religious teachings and mass media images.
• In this second stage the individual develops a sense of belonging to a more public sphere (compared to the privacy of the family).
Socialisation continues
• Socialisation continues throughout life and it is not a one way process. We are influenced by our peers - but we also influence our peers (we can influence parents, teachers etc).
• What/who has been the biggest influence upon you?
Culture and differences
• According to Giddens - every culture has its own unique patters of behaviour, which seem alien to people from other cultural backgrounds.
• Is that true?
• Is British culture different to Indian or French?
Is a citizens identity becoming global?
• With aeroplanes, technology and global networks, people are now becoming more global in their outlook. Could this weaken cultural differences?
• Has the British culture been enhanced by people of differing races?
Culture and identity
• Many things influence our socialisation. Sport - the Olympics, football etc - is an example.
• What other things influence our development via socialisation?
Post-modernism
• At the heart of post-modernism is the claim that we live in an age of un-certainty.
• We can no longer clearly define who fits in to a certain identity.
• Post-modernists think that this un-certainty can be a good thing.
Do you belong to a ‘tribe’?
• Music? (punks, goths)• Media? (a particular ‘lifestyle’
magazine)• Fashion? (So called ‘Chavs’)• Sport? (football teams)• Family? (Eastenders)• Class? (working, middle,upper)• Nation? • World?
Impact of class
• What do we mean by class?• Who is upper/middle/working
class?• Does your class position affect
how much of an active citizen you are?
• Does your class position affect your education? If so, how?
Group work
• Break into different groups looking at age, race, gender, sexuality (see p.157-159).
• Present to the class how identity is formed in each area.
• How does it affect: a) how society sees you? b) how you might see society?
For the next class
• Read and précis pages 159-167 - “AS Citizenship’ - on Identity and the Media.