3.2 Social relations
becoming a member of a society
We are social animals, we live our lives surrounded by other human beings. We live our lives as members of a human society.
But we are not members of our society as soon as we are born. We are born with capabilities of becoming part of a society: with the capability of learning a language, expressing and recognizing emotions and cooperating intelligently. As we put those capabilities into use, we progressively become members of the society we are born into.
First our family, then our friends, classmates, teachers and workmates help us to become adult citizens of our society.
Family
Our family is our first and most important contact with our society. Families play important functions in any human society:
Reproductive function. We are born defenseless, we can not survive as babies without the protection and nourishment that our families give us.
Educative function. Our family teaches us our first language and the most basic habits: how to behave, to dress, to eat, etc.
Affective function. Within our family we develop our affections. Later on, these feelings will be the basis of new social relationships with friends and with our own, future family.
The case of Victor of Aveyron shows us the importance of growing up in a family that protects, educates and loves us. Without the protection, education and love of a family, a child can't become a member of a society.
Exercise 2.1
Family values and norms. In order to perform its functions, families have norms. Following those norms, their members protect and promote certain values.
For example:
The norm "we eat dinner together" protects the value of being all together, of sharing time.
The norm "you should obey your parents" promotes the value of obedience to those that care about us.
Connect norms and values drawing lines between them:
What value is promoted by the norm "you will not lie"? ________________________________________________
Think of a norm that promotes the value of respect: ______________________________________________________
Friendship
During adolescence and later on in our adult life, we form new relations outside the limits of our family. Apart from our family, our friends are our most important social relations. They help us to integrate ourselves in the school, at work, in the neighborhood. They help us to make new friends. Therefore, our friends are an important link with the rest of the society.
The ancient philosopher Aristotle considered that friendship was more fruitful and stable when friends were very similar: similar age, similar economic situation, same culture, same sex, etc.
On the other hand, Aristotle considered that friendship among very different persons (very different ages, different origins and cultures, etc.) made friendship instable. He thought that sooner or later those friends would broke apart.
Do you agree with Aristotle? Or maybe he was wrong?
Are your friends similar to you or are they very different from you?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having friends that are very similar to us?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having friends that are very different from us?
Exercise 2.2
Making good friends is essential for our happiness.
In order to make friends, we must have the correct attitude. Read the following list and decide which attitudes are beneficial for making friends and why. Consider that some attitudes may be beneficial but also harmful, depending on the details of the situation.