Societal expectations

Definition

Societal expectations are the norms and values that a community or culture holds regarding how individuals should behave, think, and interact within society. These expectations influence individual choices and actions, often determining the path a person is expected to follow in their life journey, including aspects such as career choices, relationships, and personal growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Societal expectations can vary widely between different cultures and communities, influencing how individuals perceive their responsibilities and opportunities.
2. These expectations often create pressure to conform, leading individuals to make life choices that align with societal norms rather than personal desires.
3. In many narratives, the call to adventure challenges societal expectations, prompting characters to break free from prescribed roles and seek their own paths.
4. Failure to meet societal expectations can result in social stigma or ostracism, which can have a profound impact on an individual's mental health and self-esteem.
5. Characters who defy societal expectations often serve as catalysts for change within their communities, highlighting the tension between individual desires and collective norms.

Review Questions

• How do societal expectations influence an individual's decision when faced with a call to adventure?
  • Societal expectations often shape the initial reactions of characters confronted with a call to adventure. These norms can create internal conflicts as individuals weigh their desire for personal fulfillment against the pressures to conform to what is deemed acceptable by their community. For example, a character may feel compelled to pursue a conventional career path instead of following their passion due to fear of disappointing family or society.
• Evaluate the role of societal expectations in shaping the narrative arc of characters responding to a call to adventure.
  • In narratives featuring a call to adventure, societal expectations play a critical role in defining characters' motivations and challenges. Characters often start by adhering to these norms but may face transformative experiences that compel them to question or reject these expectations. This struggle not only drives the plot forward but also reveals deeper themes about individuality versus conformity, ultimately leading to character growth and change.
• Synthesize how defiance of societal expectations during a call to adventure can lead to broader societal change within a narrative.
  • When characters choose to defy societal expectations during their call to adventure, it often serves as a microcosm for larger societal issues. Their journey can inspire others in the community to reconsider rigid norms and embrace new possibilities. This defiance highlights the potential for individual actions to spark collective movements toward change, showing that challenging the status quo can create ripples that influence broader social transformations.

Related terms

norms: Shared rules or guidelines that dictate acceptable behavior within a group or society.

roles: The behaviors and responsibilities expected of individuals based on their position in society, such as family roles, occupational roles, and social roles.

conformity: The act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to what is considered normal within a group or society.