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.