English Language · JC 1 · Society, Culture, and Identity · Semester 1

Roles and Responsibilities in Society

Examining the different roles people play in families, schools, and communities, and the responsibilities that come with them.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Social Awareness - Middle School

About This Topic

Gender and Power examines the evolving roles of men and women in the 21st century, focusing on the barriers to true parity. In the JC 1 context, students look at the 'glass ceiling' in corporate leadership, the 'double burden' of work and domestic labor, and the impact of societal expectations on both genders. They also explore how power dynamics are shifting with new legislation and social movements.

In Singapore, this topic is particularly relevant given the recent 'White Paper on Singapore Women's Development.' Students must analyze local issues like the gender wage gap, the representation of women in STEM, and the role of National Service in shaping masculine identity. This topic comes alive when students can analyze real-world data and engage in role-plays that challenge traditional gender norms.

Key Questions

1. What are some different roles people have in our society?
2. What responsibilities come with these roles?
3. How do different roles contribute to the functioning of our community?

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the societal expectations associated with at least three distinct roles within Singaporean families, schools, or communities.
• Evaluate the impact of assigned responsibilities on the daily lives and decision-making of individuals in various societal roles.
• Compare and contrast the contributions of different roles to the overall functioning and well-being of a community.
• Synthesize information from case studies to propose solutions for balancing diverse responsibilities within a community context.

Before You Start

Introduction to Social Structures

Why: Students need a basic understanding of how societies are organized into groups and institutions to grasp the concept of roles within them.

Family and Kinship Systems

Why: Familiarity with different family structures and dynamics provides a foundation for understanding roles within the most basic social unit.

Key Vocabulary

Societal Role	A set of expected behaviors, rights, and obligations associated with a particular position or status within a social group or society.
Responsibility	A duty or obligation to satisfactorily perform or complete a task that one must fulfill, often entailing accountability for one's actions.
Community Cohesion	The degree to which members of a community share values, social bonds, and a sense of belonging, contributing to collective well-being.
Social Contract	An implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, often involving individuals accepting certain obligations in exchange for protection or order.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Gender equality is only a 'woman's issue.'

What to Teach Instead

Gender norms also restrict men (e.g., pressure to be the 'provider' or stigma against staying at home). Use a 'double-sided' brainstorm to show how rigid gender roles can limit the potential and mental well-being of both men and women.

Common Misconception

The 'glass ceiling' has already been broken because we have female leaders.

What to Teach Instead

A few high-profile examples (like Ho Ching or Halimah Yacob) don't mean the systemic barriers are gone. Use a 'leadership pyramid' activity to show that while women are well-represented at entry levels, their numbers drop significantly as you move toward the top of the corporate ladder.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Boardroom Dilemma

Students act out a hiring committee deciding between two equally qualified candidates, one male and one female (who mentions she has young children). They must navigate the 'unconscious biases' that might influence the decision and then reflect on how to make the process fairer.

50 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Domestic Labor Audit

Groups interview each other about the division of chores in their homes. They then compare this with national statistics on domestic labor in Singapore and brainstorm why women still do a disproportionate amount of 'unpaid work.'

40 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate: Mandatory Paternity Leave

Debate the motion: 'This House believes that paternity leave should be made mandatory and equal to maternity leave in Singapore.' Students must consider the impact on businesses, gender roles at home, and the national birth rate.

45 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• In Singapore, the role of a frontline healthcare worker during the COVID-19 pandemic involved significant personal sacrifice and a heightened sense of responsibility towards public health, as seen in the long hours and public appreciation campaigns.
• Community leaders in HDB estates often coordinate volunteer efforts for events like the National Day Parade or local clean-up drives, demonstrating how specific roles contribute to neighborhood upkeep and social bonding.
• The responsibilities of a Member of Parliament in Singapore include representing constituents' needs, debating policy in Parliament, and engaging with community groups, directly impacting the functioning of local governance.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Consider a family with two working parents and young children. What are the primary roles and responsibilities of each family member, and how might these overlap or conflict?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to identify at least two potential areas of conflict and suggest strategies for resolution.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down one specific role they observe in their own community (e.g., hawker stall owner, bus driver, student council member). For that role, they should list two key responsibilities and one way this role contributes to the community's functioning.

Quick Check

Present students with short scenarios describing individuals in different roles (e.g., a teacher preparing lesson plans, a parent caring for an elderly relative, a volunteer organizing a charity event). Ask students to identify the primary role and at least one implicit responsibility in each scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'gender wage gap' in Singapore?

The gender wage gap is the difference in the median earnings of men and women. In Singapore, it currently stands at around 14%. While some of this is due to different choices in industries, a significant portion remains 'unexplained,' likely due to unconscious bias and the fact that women are more likely to take career breaks for caregiving.

How does National Service (NS) affect gender dynamics in Singapore?

NS is often seen as a 'rite of passage' for men, which can reinforce certain ideas of masculinity. It also gives men a two-year 'delay' in entering the workforce or university, which some argue is a disadvantage. Conversely, some feel it creates a 'bond' and a sense of citizenship that women are excluded from.

How can active learning help students understand gender and power?

Active learning strategies like 'The Boardroom Dilemma' role-play allow students to experience how 'unconscious bias' works in real-time. It's one thing to read about bias, but another to catch yourself making a biased assumption during a simulation. This self-awareness is crucial for developing the critical thinking needed for GP.

What is the 'pink tax'?

The 'pink tax' refers to the tendency for products marketed to women (like razors or shampoo) to be more expensive than similar products marketed to men. It is often used as an example of how gendered marketing can lead to subtle economic disadvantages for women.