1 - What is a Role?

This famous quotation may be familiar to you:

“All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.”

Because the first part of your lesson focuses on roles, to begin with a clear understanding of the meaning of the term role is important. A role is “a part, a character, or a function that is taken or assumed by anyone”. Therefore, a role involves action, behaviour, and activities.

                              gender

When choosing a role, a person does not have the option of adding and deleting from the role as they choose. One accepts the role as a package deal. Certain restrictions, benefits, and responsibilities come with any role a person willingly assumes. For example, you cannot decide to be a good friend to someone and prefer not to assist the person or offer them any emotional support in the tough times. Roles are sets of expectations that are prescribed for a person. If a person steps outside the established rules regarding that role, he or she risks the possibility of being labelled deviant. Sometimes deviant behaviour is not proper but harmless such as purposely wearing a Tshirt with a nasty message to your graduation ceremonies. Sometimes deviant behaviour can be harmful, immoral, illegal, or vicious. For example, when the referee at one international soccer match called a bad game, he was shot to death by a fanatical fan. Another example of a milder form of deviance: you are a parent to a young child; that is an extremely, important role. You decide you do not want to give guidance and direction to the child but prefer to be “best friends” instead of acting like a parent.

Roles are interdependent behaviour patterns. Roles exist in an interlocking system or network. You have one role that must intermesh with several other roles so things will go smoothly. Some deviations in roles are critical because they can upset the whole system. For example, if you are a cashier at a department store, that is one of your roles. Others play the roles of customers and expect you to record their purchases, take their money or credit cards, and package the items. If you do not provide service to the customer (unless the reason is a legitimate one), your boss will want to know why you are jeopardizing the system. Another example: You are a teenage son or daughter— certain chores are assigned to you. Your parents have roles as well that are part of the network of family obligations.

Every social relationship is defined by being a set or a pair of roles. Reciprocity is the key word when studying the obligations of a relationship. Roles operate on a delicate balance of inputs and outputs. Cooperation is the key. One partner’s obligations are the other person’s right. Every member of a system is assigned certain tasks. At the same time, the person is entitled to receive services from others in return for the contributions the person has made. In this way, relationships have a personal value in satisfying one’s own goals. For example, as a student, you expect your assignments to be read by the teacher and that you will receive useful feedback. The reciprocal role of your teacher involves the expectation that you will remain on topic when answering questions and that you will phrase your ideas in readable forms.