Norms
Objective
10 minutes
13-16 years
Boys/Girls
20 participants
Time,
Age,
Target,
Number of participants
Materials
Computer
Guidelines for educators
Participants will become acquainted with virtual cards that present definitions of social, legal, moral and custom norms. After reading the educational material, participants write down examples of social, legal, moral and customary norms. For example: Legal standard – do not steal
Moral norm – do not lie.
After writing down various examples, participants write down on a common board the consequences of not following the norms. The ideas are visible to all workshop participants – brainstorm.
Knowledge base
Norm – an ambiguous concept that defines a rather permanent way of behavior adopted in a given social group, a kind of pattern of features defining a situation, phenomenon, or object. Norms are entangled in the cultural contexts of a given country.
A legal norm is a commonly used and binding legal provision that defines requirements and commands for citizens and regulates the relationships between them and public authorities. A legal norm is expressed in the form of general principles, rules, norms, or provisions that aim to regulate specific areas of social life. A legal norm has an abstract and general character, which means that it applies to all similar situations and applies to all individuals covered by a particular legal system. A legal norm is also obligatory, which means that compliance with it is necessary and mandatory for citizens and authorities.
Religious norms are a set of rules, regulations, values, and beliefs that dictate how a person should behave and function within a given religion. Religious norms are an integral part of religious practices and aim to guide the behavior of the faithful, regulate relationships between people, and unite them in unity within a specific religious community. Religious norms can cover various aspects of life, such as prayer, dress, diet, morality, ethics, rituals, holidays, and principles related to family and social life. Religious norms can be transmitted through sacred texts, religious authorities, or traditions passed down from generation to generation. Fulfilling religious norms is an important aspect of religious identity for followers of a particular religion and often serves as the basis for evaluating their moral conduct.
Social norms – refer to socially accepted rules of conduct and behavior that are recognized in a particular community or group of people. Social norms are often informal and unwritten, but they have significant importance in maintaining social harmony and good relationships between individuals. Social norms impose certain expectations regarding behavior and ways of acting in various situations. For example, a social norm may dictate using appropriate forms of politeness when talking to an older person or waiting in line for one’s turn. Social norms can also pertain to social etiquette, such as rules regarding dress or eating habits. The primary function of social norms is to regulate social life and facilitate communication and cooperation between people. They function as internal rules that adhering to is considered proper and appropriate in a given community. Violating social norms is often viewed negatively and can lead to exclusion or social ostracism. Social norms are dependent on cultural and social context. What is considered appropriate in one community may be unacceptable in another. For this reason, social norms can vary between cultures, regions, or social groups.
The concept of sexual norms refers to socially and culturally imposed standards and expectations regarding sexuality. Sexual norms vary depending on culture, time, and community, but they influence what is considered acceptable, normative, and desirable in a sexual context. Sexual norms can pertain to different aspects of sexuality, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual behaviors, gender roles, sexual preferences, etc. They can also be associated with certain expectations, such as celibacy, monogamy, marriage, and reproduction. It is worth noting that sexual norms are socially constructed and change over time and with social changes. They are often challenged and subject to discussion by different social groups and emancipatory movements in order to consider diversity and equality in the realm of sexuality.
Follow-up
After writing down various examples, participants write down on a common board the consequences of not following the norms. The ideas are visible to all workshop participants – brainstorm.
Reflexive sentence
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