The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
Section Reading Support Transparency
Section Outline
I. Playing Social Roles
II. Roles as Expected Behaviors
III. Level of Participation
IV. The Citizen Role
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The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
Main Idea
Key Terms
Social roles are part of our everyday lives. We
play many different social roles. Each one
requires a certain kind of behavior. Each also
requires a certain level of participation over the
course of our lives.
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•Social roles
The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
Playing Social Roles
•Everyday Roles
—
Mother, daughter, husband, or son
•Social Roles
—
Peoples’ roles when interacting in society
•Citizen Roles
•Our Many Social Roles
—
We are born into many roles, but some roles are the result of choice.
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The Meaning of Citizenship: Section 3
The Seven Social Roles
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The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
Roles as Expected Behaviors
•Your Roles
—
The way you play a role depends on how you want to play it, and what kind of
person you are.
•Changing Roles
—
Sometimes people play the same roles in different ways, depending on the
situation.
Roles may overlap with each other.
Roles may conflict with each other.
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The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
Level of Participation
•Choice
—
Only you can decide how actively you are going to pursue a given role.
•Consequences
—
—
You must accept the consequences of participating or not participating.
Most people find that, when they participate fully in a role, they feel satisfaction
and a better sense of who they are.
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The Meaning of Citizenship
Section 3: Citizenship and Our Other Roles
The Citizen Role
•Active Participants
—
Americans have the choice to play the “citizen role” at whatever level they like.
•Contributing to the Common Good
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Participation leads to a better society for all.
•Priorities
—
Only you can decide how much time and energy to spend on being a contributing
citizen.
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The Meaning of Citizenship: Section 3
Section Reading Support Transparency
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