Self-Concept and Society

Many researchers agree that self-concept is a set of structured self-attitudes, that is a characteristic of an individual but some of the researchers have focused on temporal aspects of self-concept; that is; changes in self-concept from one relation to another, from one stage of life to another stage, or from one situation to another. Self-concept varies from person to person; each person understands and views this according to his own understanding. Self-concept is “the idea you have about the kind of person you are” (Merriam Webster). It is said that it is a mental picture one has for him/herself.

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The question of self has been a major of occupation of ancient sociologists, philosophers and theologians. History shows that it has always been a major concern among people of different school of thoughts. The Self is usually seen as in the term of individual. Who am I? Every other person will answer this according to his ability of understanding him/herself. Some people would define themselves as social identities; for example they might say “I am a Muslim” or I am “Australian” instead of describing their individuality. People who see The Self as individuality would rather answer the “Who are you?” question as “I am a typist who work in so and so company” or “I am a student who is in third year of Masters Program”. The idea that one owns his/her body and he/she is responsible to secure the livelihood by work hard is what self as individual is about (Seigel, 2005).

A person cannot and does not usually live alone; he/she lives in a society and society plays a vital role in forming a person’s individuality. The process of becoming a person of a certain society is socialization; people in society learn and teach from and to each other; sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously. This is a lifelong process in which they learn and teach each other behaviors, languages, different gestures. However two persons from the same society may react to a same issue completely different from each other and that is because of their individuality. Self and society are intertwined with each other; socialization has its effects on self and individuality also effects the society, to some extent.

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Society prospers and evolves through the process of socialization. Individuals make the society and their common characteristics are what bring changes in society from time to time. Socialization does not only affect society but it also shapes an individual. Socialization is a process in which individual learn their cultures, moral, ethnic values and become fully human. Through socialization people develop a sense of who they are, of self-awareness, identity and personality. Socialization is the broad social context of identity formation. People usually analyze their characteristics on the basis of ethnicity, race and religion. Their behavior, body language, gestures and languages are the mirror of their own self and they do see and identify others exactly on these very same grounds. While most social psychological and organizational research has focused on the behaviors of individuals as markers of personal and social identities, recent research has begun to recognize the important role that physical artifacts may play in defining such identities (Dittmar, 1992).

Socialization and culture is what makes a person’s identity. how we see ourselves, how others see us and what are our hobbies and our profession all these factors are identity markers. However our identity is partly imposed on us by culture. The way we speak also is identity marker; the way we speak tells other so many things; where we come from and what state of mind we are in. We define our identity always in dialogue with the things our significant others want to see in us (Taylor, 2009).

Knowing identity is powerful; as ancient Greek philosophers used to believe in “know thyself” and it was one of the foundation of wisdom. Different people identify through different identity markers. Physical identify markers are material artifacts that cue and/or affirm a person’s social and/or personal identities (Elsbach, 2004). Brewer et al (1993: 89) noted;

“Social status and distinctiveness are independent group characteristics, both of which can influence the value of in-group membership and the probability [of group identification].”

Society through the process of socialization makes and shapes an individual. Social continuity is essential for the survival of individuals. If for some reason a person live alone for the long period of time he forgets to live in a society. Similarly if a child is born and abandoned in some remote area; he/she would behave in completely different ways. As children are socialized in society they accumulate social experiences that constitute the basis for the development of a personality. A personality is a combination of fairly stable traits that define social members as unique individuals. Inspite of all this, people who live under same circumstances and same society often develop completely different personalities. Two people from the same society may have different interests and different views on some subject that is because of their individuality and this does not make any of them any less member of the particular society.

Society and the world evolve with time. The people living today have completely different characteristics as compare to the people living in the same area living 1000 years ago. The technology, internet has changed the whole society and the life of individual as well. People who lived 1000 years ago had different values and used to behave in their own certain ways. With time even beliefs of people are reformed. For example thousand years ago woman was not treated equally in many parts of the world; they were shamed and sometimes bore violence without realizing that it is violation of their rights. But with time societies have evolved and now most of the women living in urban areas are aware of their social rights.

For a country as big as Australia there are many societies that have different cultural values and behave in a certain way. Similarly people from different age groups also behave and react to different situations according to their maturity. According to a website in June 2011 there were 5.4 million Australians 18 to 34 years. Youth prefer living in major urban areas; there they feel they have easy access to luxuries as compare to rural areas. Most young people of Australia prefer living alone or with friends instead of families but many of them leave their homes to live alone only to return back to their parents after six months or a year. Unemployment and inflation are the reasons they decide to head back home. Australian youth is strong headed; they take decisions themselves and are usually strong enough to bear the consequences.

According to a survey conducted in Australia; the youth of Australia speak loudly and clearly and that even on some taboo subjects (Unicef). Australian young people don’t like to talk about politics; they really do not care about it. A poll conducted in 2013 resulted that a large number of respondents that is 32 % did not know who they will be voting for; they had no idea who their parents or friends are voting for; that indicates that they hardly talk about politics (abc.net, 2013).
Australian youth is care free, bold and very clear in what they want with their lives. They are exploring new ideas; they don’t hesitate in joining new fields. Despite all this the unemployment rate of youth in Australia averaged 13.56 % from 1976 until 2015 (tradingeconomics.com).
When asked in a survey about their aspirations, hopes and concerns most of them hope to have a stable family life; good relations with wife and kids with own home and cars and a job that they would be happy doing (sprc.unsw.edu.au). Young people are fairly culturally and linguistically diverse. Most of them speak English in their accent and are very comfortable when some foreigner speaks to them in their own accent. They take pride in their language and do not hesitate while speaking English with Australian influence. Australian youth are confident in their being and they see themselves nothing less than Americans or Britain in any field. Over the years they are exploring new careers and paths.

In 2015 for the first time Andrew’s Government demonstrates their commitment to assist vulnerable young people; much of its investment in early intervention, preventing family violence and education (youthlaw.asn.au). Australian government has a justice act that is especially for Youth. It was presented and approved in 1992. Australian government has always shown keen interest in youth programs and developments. But today Australian youth are more aware than before about their rights. Not only they are aware but they know how to protect them if their rights are violated Australian government has courts especially for youth and youth do not hesitate filing a case against any crime. They have laws against sexting, human trafficking, rape and theft. Australian government organizes different programs for them educational and sports activities. For the past few years Australian youth has been taking keen interest and achieving success in various sports; Australian government make necessary arrangements to let youth avail all the facilities and help them achieving their goals.