Social Structure and Individuality

The assertion that human behaviour is socially patterned often provokes some initial resistance. Few human beings readily admit to being part of any kind of system, especially those who live in a culture that prizes individual autonomy. Americans, for instance, tend to emphasize individual responsibility for behaviour and highlight the unique elements of their personalities. Behaving in patterned ways, however, does not threaten our individuality. On the contrary, individuality is encouraged by social structure.

First, and more generally, our humanity involves much more than physical existence. The great potential of human beings develops only thorough interaction with others. Within social life, distinct personalities emerge as people blend their unique qualities with the values and norms of the large culture from freely expressing ourselves. The social world can be disorienting, even frightening, to people who do not know the behaviour guidelines. Without this knowledge, people feel too uncomfortable to express their unique personalities with confidence.

To illustrate, you may recall going alone to a party given by people you did not know well. Entering such a setting – and not knowing quite what to expect – is likely to cause some anxiety. At such times you generally feel self-conscious, try to make a favorable impression, and look to others for clues about what sort of behaviour is expected of you. Once you understand the behavioral standards that apply to the setting, you are likely to feel comfortable enough to “act like yourself”.

Of course, social structure also places some constraints on human behaviour. By guiding bahaviour within culturally approved bounds, established social patterns discourage behaviour that is culturally defined as unconventional. Traditional values and norms in the United States and Canada, for example, still reflect the expectation that males will be “masculine” (physically strong, self-assertive, and rational) and the females will be “feminine” (physically weak, self-effacing, and emotional). The structure of society exerts pressure on individuals to fit into one or the other of these categories, ignoring the fact that most people have both “masculine” and “feminine” qualities. In this and many other ways, social structure can limit any individual’s freedom to think and act in ways that may be personally preferred. In addition, the failure to conform to established social patterns may lead to being defined by others as deviant.

Exercise 7. Choose the right answer.

1. What is individuality encouraged by?

a) political situation;

b) social welfare;

c) social structure;

d) economic situation.

2. What is the source of human being potential?

a) marriage;

b) interactions with others;

c) interest groups;

d) individual anatomy.

3. What can help people to feel comfortable to express their unique personalities?

a) social world;

b) individual type of a character;

c) personal curiosity;

d) behavior guidelines.

4. How do established social patterns influence behavior?

a) discourage;

b) encourage;

c) maintains;

d) doesn’t influence.

5. What are the expectations of “masculine”?

a) weak, emotional;

b) strong, rational;

c) self-effacing, self-assertive;

d) strong, emotional.

Exercise 8. Fill in the gaps using the words given below, and translate the sentences into Russian.

advantage union supported forbids marriage

advantage duty couple burden permit

1. She went to live abroad after the break-up of her … .

2. A … of people objected to the proposal, but the vast majority approved of it.

3. Is this film … for small children?

4. It would be to your … to agree to his demands.

5. Buying a house often places a large financial … on young couples.

6. She believes that the … of man and woman in holy matrimony is for ever.

7. The … of the agency is to act in the best interests of the child.

8. My father … the Labour Party all his life.

9. The law … the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 16.

10. The security system will not ... you to enter without the correct password.

Exercise 9. Match the verbs on the left with the nouns on the right. Make up sentences with the phrases you’ve got.

1. a pattern of	a) an idea;
2. to admit	b) a point of view;
3. to emphasize	c) a system failure;
4. to express	d) future with hope;
5. to illustrate	e) behavior;
6. to look to	f) anxiety;
7. to apply to	g) a rule;
8. to reflect	h) a mistake;
9. to conform to	i) a proper agency;
10. to cause	j) the advantages of.

WRITING AND COMMUNICATION

Exercise 10. Write an essay on one of the given topics.

1. Forms of Marriage.

2. Marriage in Russia.

3. An Ideal Family.