Role
In sociology a role is a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and even dress styles. A role serves to identify and place and individual into a position within The System.
Role expectations, i.e. social roles, are learned during childhood through a process of socialization (read indoctrination). For example, as children our parents, school mates, and teachers impart to us gender role expectations. By the time we are adults we have learned how to behave as men and women in society.
Role expectations are enforced via the application of physical, psychological, emotional, and financial punishments. Boys who step out of rigid gender expectations, for example, may be beaten up and bullied in schools, may lose their jobs, or may even be ostracized from their families. Similar punishments may be meted out to girls who do not live up to role expectations.
Within The System, individuals usually occupy several role positions. Individuals my be wives, coworkers, soldiers, managers, grand high poohbahs, etc. Throughout the course of their life span individuals may move in and out of roles. Movement may be by choice (as in is the case when we change jobs) or it may be forced (for example age specific roles). Role boundaries, which are enforced via elaborate systems of social, psychological, emotional, physical, and financial punishment and reward, may be more or less permeable.
Roles are not always compatible. In some cases, Role Conflict may ensue.
Roles may also cause considerable psychological and emotional distress. Most of the roles provided by The System cause discomfort, disjuncture and eventually lead to illness, dis-ease, and death.
It should be noted that roles are neither necessary nor inevitable. The socialization processes can be modified to de-emphasize the construction of role boundaries and instead respect the individuality and uniqueness of each individual. This would involve de-structuring our education system, downplaying gender, and providing much more room for play and exploration in childhood. Despite North American propaganda to the contrary, the emphasis of all extant national systems is on compliance, conformity, and role conformity.
See Also
The Book of the Triumph of Spirit Mater Key
