Module 7.

Unfolding the Emerging Facets of the Self

UNIT 1. The Political Self: Developing Active Citizenship

This unit discusses the nature of politics, elements of active citizenship, and how these shape
one’s political self. It will detail how one can become activity involved in political and communal affairs,
and how these are significant to the shaping of the Self.

Members of society, we are naturally obligated to participate as social citizens in a political

system. As citizens, we become aware of our duties and responsibilities that should empower us to
participate in state and political affairs. Politics refers to “the actions or activities concerned with
achieving and using power in a country or society.” It is also defined as “the ways that power is shared
in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships between people who work
together.” Aristotle mentioned that “man is by nature a political animal.” This is because man is a social
being and that they are naturally drawn to various political associations in order to satisfy their social
needs

Politics as imbibed by man implies several things.

First, politics is concerned with power. We observe power inequalities in within our societies. There
are those whose position ranks high in the social hierarchy and thus, wields much power compared to
those in the lower class. The one who holds the power holds much influence.

Second, politics is about contexts. The nature of politics and political systems is dependent on the
culture of the state. The characteristics of people, cultural traditions they observe, value orientations,
economics, education, religion, and other similar institutions shape the political landscape of any country.

Active citizenship has been a popular topic for researches across several disciplines. It includes
“structured forms of engagement with political processes and everyday forms of participation in
society”.

Active citizenship is anchored on our cognitive and behavioral engagement to participate in

formal political activities.

Active citizenship enables democracy. Democracy should not only be thought of as a form of
government; it is a communal system that allows volitional freedom of citizens to make informed choices
that allows them to be heard.

Active citizenship is a social construct. It fosters social relatedness and belongingness.

Most adolescents would say that “we do not have the power to inspire change” or that “we are
not heard so why should we speak up”. However, let us not forget that you are the future leaders of our
country. The advantage of youth is their zeal and optimism in effecting change for the country. Youth
participation should not be the exception, but rather the norm. In politics where cynical attitudes
dominate among older individuals, youth participation provides a breath of fresh air in raising issues and
concerns that impact society in general.

Active citizenship is also associated with “sense of community.” People, including adolescents,
participate in communal activities because it is their way of “giving back”. The sense of community they
feel with their location also persuades adolescents to do something for their respective communities,
especially those community groups considered to be a minority. Active citizenship may facilitate ethnic
pride and provide a voice to the woes of their social group.

What are the benefits of engaging in active citizenship?

For the younger generation, it has significant impact on positive youth development.
Opportunities to participate in such activities can make adolescents aware of issues, challenges, and
concerns that plague communities and states, which may in turn lead to advocacies for reforms. Engaging
in such behaviors can also enhance efficacy and competence of the young generation, as they are
considered to be “future leaders” of society. The millennial generation has several tools at their fingertips
to initiate change reforms, which poses a disadvantage to the older generation, given that these millennial
youths are technology-savvy. The participation of the adolescents to nation-building activities enhances
their value orientation and fosters integrity, compassion, and sense of justice, which is crucial for the
holistic development of present learners.

The Self is a dynamic construct in that it is shaped by external forces and personal factors. Active
citizenship embraces one’s individuality through the choices a person make and the behaviors they
manifest. Early exposure to politics and political systems may augment adolescent’s development of their
self. It fosters critical thinking, formation of advocacies, comprehension and understanding, and genuine
concerns for the environment and communities. Such exposure may lead to successful adaptation of a
particular advocacy and ensuring everyone benefits in the long run.

Our political self is a result of various personal and environmental factors that impact the
individual. Our political identity doesn’t begin at the age of voting; together with active citizenship, our
awareness of community concerns may lead to optimal development of strong, intelligent, and passionate
community leaders and youth participants. Thus, there is no such thing as a right time to start becoming
involved; adolescent participation in political activities can strengthen their standpoints, allowing them to
be heard by the general public, and ensuring a strong, stable state, shaped by a strong, stable citizenry.
As adolescence is a time of searching for identity and establishing a core Self, imbibing active citizenship,
becoming aware of issues pervading society, engaging in political discourse, and other similar behaviors
can shape the millennial generation to become effective agents of change.

UNIT 2. The Digital Self: Uncovering Digital Citizenship

This Unit will explore the impact of technology on our society; how its use enables people to become
digital citizens, outlining responsible use of technology, how it sustains relationships and forge
collaborations with other people, and what kind of digital identities are we forging for the next generation.

Imagine a day without technology. No televisions. No radio. No computers. No internet. No

cellular phones. How do you think you will cope? Can you imagine a day when you are not able to text
someone, update your social media, or watch your favorite TV show? Is it possible? Most likely, you’re
bound to say no, it’s impossible, and you won’t survive without technology. That is how pervasive
technology is to our lives. The millennial generation is considered digital natives because they were born
in an era of technology. Thus, it is not surprising that even very young children indulge in internet surfing
and web applications; their minds seem to be attuned to the intricacies of the use of technology and most
especially the internet.

Digital citizenship is anchored on three general principles: respecting oneself and others,
educating oneself and others, and protecting oneself and others. Technology is both a bane and a boon.
On one hand, our way of life has been uplifted due to the convenience that technology brings. Everything
is faster, access is made easier, and the outputs are enhanced. With the rapidly changing environments
we live in, people are likely to be engulfed within technology. Digital citizenship serves the purpose of
regulating human behavior in a highly-technological and digital world.

A major concern of this digital era is how technology shapes our self and identity. There is no
doubt that the beliefs, value orientation, and behavior of individuals, especially the millennial generation,
are heavily influenced by technology. One concept that is related to one’s digital self is online disinhibition.
It is defined as “the lack of restraint one feels when communicating online in comparison to
communicating in-person.”

Nowadays, however, people are more inclined to show their own personalities via online. The
internet becomes a multi-media venue for showcasing our personal traits and qualities. The way we view
ourselves, our sense of self is expressed through the worldwide web. Apart from social media, the use of
certain internet-based applications and mobile apps can be an indicator of the kind of person we are and
if the values and beliefs we uphold are also expressed in our online behavior. Thus, technology and
internet can be a basis of evaluating our consistency of self; how we project ourselves in real-life, face to
face interactions can also be the same way we make that projection on the internet. It would be
interesting to assess if how we see ourselves in physical settings is on the same page as our online persona.

The permeating nature of technology has also influenced the various technological and online
behaviors we manifest. Within the concept of digital citizenship, there are nine (9) themes that cover
these behaviors, namely:

Digital Access Full electronic participation in society

Digital Commerce Electronic buying and selling of goods.

 Digital Communication Electronic exchange of information.

Digital Literacy Process of teaching and learning technology and the use of technology.

Digital Etiquette Electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

Digital Law electronic responsibility for actions and deeds, especially with ethics of
technology

Digital Rights and Those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.

Responsibilities

Digital Health and Wellness Physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.

Digital Security electronic precautions to guarantee safety

Suffice to say, technology is here to stay. We need to adapt to the dynamic changes that
technology will entail. For example, in the course of work, companies and organizations require digital
literacy among applicants to ensure effectiveness in job performance.

Technology offers limitless opportunities; it is an inevitability that we need to face. However,

technology need not control our society nor our lives. It should be complementary to human needs and
behaviors. Don’t let technology define you; you should define you.