
![]() What does it mean to be responsible? Is responsibility honored in our society? What is our individual responsibility to others and to our society as a whole?
Sviatoslav K.
5/4/2015 03:44:59 am
Being responsible is the case of when someone puts all dire necessities first in their lives and prioritizes them according to importance. This, of course, is different for every individual in the world. Hence why some people may believe that one responsibility a person focuses on in their life may seem meaningless to someone who doesn’t care for that certain job or activity. When a person does everything needed to achieve their goal they are being considered responsible. In our society, responsibility is honored and is respected. When someone sees another person who is responsible they are respected and admired. Not only because they have their lives in order but that fact that they know what needs to be done in their lives and they put that first. In our society our first big responsibility is education. The way that we prove we are responsible is by keeping our grades in check. This would help society as a whole due to how it will better educate people allowing our society to advance further as the years go by.
Christopher C.
5/4/2015 03:57:48 am
I like the point you made about how many people see responsibilities in different ways. That's very true especially in modern society. Nice job.
Samantha Soracco
5/4/2015 08:03:27 am
I agree with your statement of putting one's needs first. Not only is responsibility that, it's also taking the blame for others or being held responsible for one's wrong doing even if it may lower the value of people's respect towards one.
Riley N
5/4/2015 02:06:28 pm
A compelling point but are people who remain responsible really lauded or admired? As it seems those who are this way are mocked and joked of due to their organization as well as promptness by a generation that seems to want a more destabilized and less responsible lifestyle.
Tom D
5/6/2015 01:02:40 am
I like the way you said that being responsible is when some puts "dire necessities first..." I also like how you mentioned that when people see a responsible person they admire them. Overall i think this was a pretty good post. also I like the way you used your exclamation points to get your topic across!
Tim M.
5/6/2015 02:01:24 am
I like the point you made about how people prioritize their responsibility by importance. I think that this is very true in life today, especially from younger people like teens. They do what they want first instead of what will be quickest.
Samantha Soracco
5/4/2015 07:56:56 am
Responsibility is being in charge of someone or something and being able to make decisions without authorization. To be responsible, one has to accept the good and the bad and the consequences of their own choices. Being responsible is being independent and doing your homework on time. Being responsible is picking up your dog's poo when he releases himself on someone's lawn. Being responsible is taking blame when something is or is not your fault.
Nolan Mazako
5/5/2015 12:51:23 am
The point that you made on how a responsible person can make decisions on their own is a well thought-out point. Someone life that must be able to rely on only themselves to be a responsible person. You also had good use of the rhetorical device, Anaphora, by using it to further push the point that you were trying to make. Overall, very well done.
Ava M
5/5/2015 08:57:36 am
This was a very good response. I liked the way you described society and I agree with your opinions as well.
Bri Y
5/6/2015 03:08:21 pm
Sam, unlike my comment, you listed many examples of responsibility. I like how you incorporated the difference between daily life responsibilities and more serious responsibilities. While reading your post, I found that you focused more on daily life responsibilities. In a way, I feel like people deal with smaller acts of responsibilities than larger ones. For example, picking up poop, paying the cashier back, and doing your homework. Dealing with larger responsibilities comes along with how mature a person is.
Sean Kaufman
5/4/2015 11:00:45 am
Being responsible is to do what needs to be done whether it will be a pleasant experience or not. If you are assigned homework, the responsible thing to do is to work on it and not pretend it does not exist. Taking responsibility for being the cause of an unpleasant event is also part of the definition. You can become responsible for your little brother drawing on the wall if you left the markers within his reach. Responsibility is indeed honored within our society. The strong feeling of responsibility has aided many people in need of assistance. People take the responsibility of becoming police officers in order to stop crime. Average citizens turn into firefighters who then become responsible to stop fires from destroying lives and the environment. Doctors and paramedics were once average people who wanted to save lives as their responsibility. These people and more have the responsibilities they possess honored by the American society for keeping them safe and helping them. Ceremonies honoring their impact to society are held where special medals are presented to the people who have become heroes. We need to do our best to be just like these people and aid humanity. As an individual, one should be responsible for joining groups that benefit society by organizing times to pick trash off the side of the road or prepare food drives to help benefit others in need of food. Our responsibilities as an individual are to help make our society a nicer, cleaner, healthier place.
Stephanie Barrios
5/5/2015 04:35:55 am
I agree that be responsible means carrying out an action whether it is pleasant or not. Sometimes being responsible means having to make hard decisions.
Andy S
5/6/2015 11:23:16 am
I completely agree this response for the most part. I felt that the way you described responsibilities as preventing crime, stopping fires, ect. was extremely accurate.
Riley N
5/4/2015 01:59:29 pm
Responsibility is taking the blame for the consequences of one's actions. Being Responsible means something much different in today's society. Being responsible now means receiving no help or aid from anyone for any reason. This is how our society keyed the phrase Not My Job. This lackadaisical attitude not only deters the idea of group responsibility but also individual responsibility as if assigned to do a task in a group many will start pointing fingers to others saying their responsibility. Examples are today's teenagers in high school. The massive learning curve as well as amount of work to do at home has lead to many half fasting if not failing to do any sort of work because the metaphorical "Guy" next to him isn't doing it either. As well in group projects sometimes the work load tends to polarize towards one or two individuals rather than the whole group. And other members believe that because they embrace this workload that they are responsible for every bit and piece of it.
Riley N
5/4/2015 02:02:50 pm
I believe that responsibility is not honored as it should be in today's society. Our responsibilities towards each other is to hold each and every person responsible for his actions which is hypocritical if the accuser is themselves not responsible. This destabilizes an already fragile society shirking another responsibility to keep the world in relative harmony.
Nolan Mazako
5/5/2015 12:46:30 am
To be responsible means not only to be able to strive for a certain goal in life, but to be able to control that goal as well. The exact dictionary definition of “responsible” is having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role. In our society, responsibility is both honored and forgotten. In this case, someone who is responsible is looked up to because of their ability to strive for one single goal, and to be able to stick with that goal without distraction. An example of this would be someone in the work-place, who because of their focus is awarded with a pay raise or some other kind of prize. However, another part of being responsible is when someone makes a mistake. To be able to openly admit that you were the one in the wrong is a very difficult thing to do. In many cases, people today will often attempt to blame anyone else they can for their mistakes. In this case of being “responsible,” someone like this is not admired in our society, but rather disliked. Furthermore, being a person who can openly admit their mistakes is a trait that is admired and respected by others today. And it falls to others to be able to identify those responsible in society, and to admire their actions.
Zoe Olbrys
5/5/2015 02:01:58 pm
Nolan, this is a great response! I really enjoyed reading this post because I agree strongly with the points you made. Not only do some people receive praise when they carry out responsibilities, but taking "responsibility" for certain actions or mistakes is important to show that a person is mature enough to handle what came at him or her. Also, I like how you stated that responsibility is both "honored and forgotten" because as much as some people see the hard work and responsibility others display, other individuals do not recognize people's responsibility. Overall, awesome blog post!
Stephanie Barrios
5/5/2015 04:33:54 am
Being responsible means being old and mature enough to handle certain situations or activities on your own. Whether it be chores or handling your own finances. It symbolizes a separation between the person(s) who cared for you. You don't need to rely on them anymore because it is in your capacity to fend for yourself. Yes, I believe responsibility is being honored in our society. Having your own responsibilities shows you have grown up and are no longer a child. Not only does it show you are grown it also shows you are capable of act in a responsible manner. Our individual responsibility to others and society is to be kind. We are partially responsible for the well-being of others. By being kind we can help them and care from them to make sure they are okay.
Jacob E!
5/6/2015 12:49:42 am
This is a beautifully crafted piece of blogging. The juxtaposition of beautiful descriptions and astounding facts brought tears of joy to my eyes. Sadly though, I do have one little tidbit of constructive criticism. I was slightly offended when you said that being responsible means that you have to be old. In the future, I would specify just how old. Some people (like myself) consider old 75 and above, and I would really hope that people can be responsible before that age. Even if old is considered like 12 and above or something, I still think that is wrong. I have a 9 year old cousin who juggles a hectic life of school, soccer, lacrosse, golf, and much more. I think that the fact he is able to do all of this is a credit to his responsibilty. Other than this one small blemish, this post was to blogging what the rainbow lorikeet is to birds...the most beautiful of them all!
Hailey
5/7/2015 12:47:06 pm
I really like how you described responsibility as being an old and mature individual, showing the separation between children and adults. Your way of saying it means you can fend for yourself was a nice change instead of my comment of saying it is making the appropriate decision. The part saying, "we are partially responsible for the wellbeing of others" was a very true statement that many people do not think of. Overall a very refreshing take on the meaning of responsibility with very mature examples.
Ava M
5/5/2015 09:11:45 am
Responsibility can mean many things. It can be the responsibility of a child doing their homework, or an adult paying their bills. People have so much responsibility in society, but what it really means is that you are able to prioritize things in your life and are able to make decisions for yourself. Responsibility is when you accept the consequences of your actions and don’t try to look for a scapegoat or someone to blame your problem on. The indivisual responsibility to others and as a whole is just to be kind and tell the truth. if you are guilty of something but you admit to it and accept the consequences, that is responsible. Our responsibility to others is to be kind and don’t judge other people. responsibility in society is honored to an extent. Someone will say thank you if you complement them, which is a small type of honor. No one is going to honor you for doing your homework though, but the good grades are a type of honor as well.
Marisa B
5/6/2015 02:34:31 am
Ava, this is a very insightful response! I really like how you looked at responsibility as accepting consequences in your life, rather than blaming things on other people. I agree with you that it is our responsibility to live up to the mistakes we have made. Also, I agree that our responsibility to others is to not judge them and to be kind. Awesome job!
Jay Vankawala
5/5/2015 09:51:21 am
Every single organism on Earth is responsible for something. Whether it be a bird's responsibility towards its babies, an amoeba's responsibility to its body by consuming edible organisms, or a student's responsibility towards answering his teacher's blog question, to be alive in itself means to have responsibilities. In human society, the idea of responsibility can be a little overwhelming, only because since we are conscious beings, we have complete control over our destinies. This in itself is an enormous responsibility, and as a species we need to learn to respect and cherish our responsibilities, even if sometimes we want to give them to someone else. Some responsibilities are instinctual; mothers want to take care of their children, all organisms want to care for their own bodies, and the act of reproduction can be seen as a responsibility towards the survival of our species. For humans, many more responsibilities have been inflicted on us because of numerous factors, including our sense of self and our relatively long life spans - the more time we have to live, the more practices, such as marriage and work, can be undertaken and our obsession with survival has been subdued. With each of these acts comes a responsibility. Humans now have responsibilities towards their spouses, their jobs, and their futures. Unfortunately, because of the complexities of our responsibilities, we have lost what is truly important to us, and I am as guilty of this as the next person. Is a brag-worthy career really worth the long nights and poor food quality that we torture our bodies with? Is infidelity and the subsequent divorce worth the life and well being of your own children? The superfluous responsibilities we must take for our actions is essentially jumbling up our priorities and dishonoring what responsibilities we really have: responsibilities to ourselves, our loved ones, and the next generation.
Connie C
5/5/2015 12:46:54 pm
Jay, your response was very well thought-out. I agree that everyone, human or not, has a responsibility to something even if it is a very small detail in life. Furthermore, I also agree that people should respect and cherish their responsibilities instead of giving it to someone else even though it is very hard to be responsible for something.
Rachael Tong
5/6/2015 12:38:18 pm
I love how you included examples of other things, not just humans, that also have responsibilities. You have great examples and rhetorical devices in this response. I really enjoyed reading this and I agree wholeheartedly with your points.
Ashley L
5/6/2015 02:06:24 pm
We have a tendency of limiting our thoughts to those that only apply to humans. Your examples of responsibility in other organisms really amplifies its importance to not just society, but the life itself. It shows that responsibility occurs naturally and must be carried on throughout generations for a more successful future. Your analysis of the meaning and applications was very thorough and well said. Excellent response, Jay!
Chris W
5/7/2015 05:59:34 am
Jay your response was very interesting and insightful. I like how you said every organism on this earth has responsibility. That really put things in an interesting perspective for me. Also, I liked your emphasis on how responsibility can be overwhelming yet we need it. Good Job!
Connie C
5/5/2015 12:40:12 pm
The definition of responsibility is the duty a person has when he/she is taking care of something or someone, and acting independently by making decision based on their own ideology. Not only that, but responsibility means that a person should be held accountable for when he/she does something wrong since their decisions were made by their beliefs. Sadly, responsibility is not honored in our society. For example, when a woman becomes pregnant, it becomes her “responsibility” to take care of her child no matter what. However, not all women could shoulder the responsibility of taking care of their own child so they would get abortions or put their children up for adoptions.
Kayla A.
5/5/2015 01:50:52 pm
Connie, you had a great response. In my post, I wrote how responsibility is honored in our society. After reading your post, I can see how it could also not be honored in society. The example that you used about some mothers not being able to have the responsibility of taking care of a child was a great example. I feel that the example used shows that responsibility really isn't honored in our society.
Heather H.
5/7/2015 12:57:54 pm
I completely agree with what you are saying. These ideas were well thought out and proved major points. I think that what you said about sharing knowledge is important because this helpful gesture is often not recognized. Also, the example you used of abortion with women who cannot take care of their child is excellent. I think that people need to realize that a responsibility like that is something huge to take on. A woman who sees that she is unable to take care of a baby and decides to abort the child is extremely responsible in my opinion. This response was very insightful.
BrIaNnA y
5/5/2015 01:08:23 pm
Personally, I feel that being responsible corresponds to how mature a person is. So like maturity, how responsible a person is can be different for all ages. In our society many people go through different obstacles at different times. These obstacles shape them into the person they are today. Whether it be a small event, like a break up or graduation, or a large event, like marriage, divorce, or death, all these events shape people into who they are. Based on these events, the way they change is how responsible they become. For me, I can not answer what the responsibilities are for other people. We are all different and live different lives. There is no way for me to decide who's more responsible by just assuming what that person has gone thorough. However, as a whole I feel as though everyone should be responsible for themselves and make sure that they are happy and healthy. Once that is taken care of, a person should then focus on the people around them. Responsibility is a concept that goes hand in hand with maturity. If a person has reached a point where they can understand complicated concepts, then they can make responsible decisions.
Sydney T.
5/6/2015 12:50:57 pm
Bri, I agree with your post entirely. I agree with the fact and idea that responsibility goes hand in hand with maturity. That is very much true, depending on age and experience it most definitely predicts the amount of responsibility someone endures. I also agree and like how you brought in personal life experiences that often shape one's own responsibility. Good job :)
Kayla A.
5/5/2015 01:46:38 pm
Being responsible means that you are growing up and put others needs before your own. You are mature enough to know what is right and which is wrong. I think that responsibility is honored in our society. When children are maturing, adults often tell them that they need to start being responsible. It starst with small things such as being responsible for doing your homework. As we grow older, we mature and we have more responsibilities for things such as bills. We have responsibilities to other people and to our society as a whole. Responsibilities to other people could be our family. It is your responsibility to keep a healthy marriage. It is your responsibility to take care of your family and to teach your children to grow and have their own responsibilities. To society, we have the responsibility to help make it a better place. We as individuals need to be smart about what we say so that we don't hurt people. We could help make society a better place if we are responsible. Every person will someday have responsibilities; it's who we are as humans.
Zoe Olbrys
5/5/2015 02:25:14 pm
Responsibility is having certain obligations in life and carrying them out for yourself and others. Many individuals, especially at our age, may hear their parents, teachers, coaches, or friends tell them that they are "responsible" for something. That may include being responsible for handing your homework in on time, for doing chores, or even being a good teammate or friend. I do not believe that responsibility is honored in today's society because many individuals use the term "responsible" much too loosly. Many people do not recognize the responsibilities others have towards us that impacts our own lives every day. Because we may take certain things for granted, such as our parents driving us places (if we don't have a car) or our ability to learn in school (teachers educating us) we will not know what we have until it is gone. Other people, in this case our parents and teachers, have responsibilities that impact us directly. Our individual responsibilities vary from the responsibilities we have towards others. Often times we do not recognize responsibilities we have for ourselves, which can include living healthy, being organized, and treating others right. Self-responsibility is imperative in leading a successful life; if you lack individual responsibility, you may not be able take charge of your own problems or fix your own mistakes. By having responsibilities in which other people depend on us for, we are not only worrying about our own good but how our decisions affect others. For example, if you are in a group project and your part was to create a PowerPoint, making that slide show is a responsibility you possess. If you are not responsible enough to do that work, your group as a whole will be affected by a lower score and simply having incomplete work. As human beings, we all make mistakes and may neglect our responsibilities towards others or ourselves, but what is most important is that we can recognize our faults and use our mistakes to lead a greater life.
Jeet R.
5/6/2015 02:14:11 am
Zoe your comment is very well-spoken and articulated. The points that you brought up are very insightful. For example, the one about the group projects was very well-used because it applies to our life all the time. Well Done!!!
Jacob Eichenbaum
5/6/2015 12:39:42 am
To be responsible means to have all of your priorities in check. You must be perceptive to what is going on around you and act on it. It is an important quality that fewer and fewer people possess. The reason for this is because responsibility is not honored in society. People rely so much on other people that it is often a valid excuse for someone to blame someone else for their problems. After forgetting his socks at home, a kid can tell his teacher, "But I thought my mom would bring them to school for me" and get away with it. He won't even get in trouble for showing up to school with no socks! That's outrageous! Our responsibility to society is to be the best person we can be. If everyone works hard to be their best, than the world will be a better place. That's just the facts! Our responsibility to ourselves is to keep ourselves healthy and safe. We were all gifted with beautiful bodies, and it is important that we keep them healthy. The increase in obesity and drug overdoses just further evidences the lack of responsibility in society.
Sean Kaufman
5/6/2015 01:23:28 pm
The excuse that the mom was bringing the sock is very funny and would be a shocking case if that actually happens. I can really feel you tone when you wrote "That's outrageous!" This piece is one that I won't forget for a long time.
Wade Grillo
5/7/2015 05:25:49 am
Jacob, this a very well-written response. I know it must have taken a long time for you to think of this and type it, considering the width of your fingers. But, I have to disagree with some of the examples you listed. Minor disregard of responsibility, such as your example of the kid that forgot his socks are a learning process. A child needs to grow up and know that he needs to be responsible for himself, but also that society will offer him assistance also. Imagine all the times your hands have been full and someone has opened a door for you. Should you be harshly punished for requiring simple assistance? I say no. Society as a whole needs to help each other as much as they can, but when there is COMPLETE disregard for responsibility it becomes and individuals own problem, and usually does not end well for them. I agree with the point you are making as a whole, but these small examples are just not arguable.
Sviatoslav K.
5/6/2015 12:42:29 am
Great job! I like how you used exclamation points! It really brought the piece together! I also thought that your point of having priorities in check was spot on! Nice job!
Tom D
5/6/2015 12:59:16 am
Responsible usually involves important duties and independent decision-making. to be responsible means that you can be trusted with many independent difficult tasks. Responsible people our a dying breed. However, responsibility is honored in our society. Many parents looking for baby-sitters will choose the high school student who plays sports, gets good grades, and helps out with the community, over the person who may get good grades, but does nothing else. the parents can make an educated guess that the teen who has more on their plate, has to be more responsible in order to juggle all those tasks at the same time. It is difficult to be responsible for yourself, but it is even harder to be responsible for other people. For example, when playing on a baseball team, people are counting on you to make plays in the field. If you cant be responsible to know where to position yourself to give you the best chance at making a play, you're letting your teammates down. Many people believe that to be responsible means one must be old. That is not true. Some of the most responsible people you will meet are teenagers, and young adults. There are slowly less and less responsible people in our society. everyone thinks that its their moms job to make them lunch, or drive them their homework when they forget it. This is crazy! We need to teach kids the importance of responsibility.
Andrew Cuomo
5/6/2015 02:38:30 am
I like how you said that "Responsible people are a dying breed." Saying this helped me understand the situation better. Also using the mom example was beneficial to your response.
Laura W.
5/7/2015 11:37:54 am
Good points, Tom. I liked how you brought in real world problems like how when you play on a baseball team, people are counting on you to make plays, and in that way you are responsible for other people. The bit about how responsible people are a dying breed is funny and true at the same time.
Jeet Rosa
5/6/2015 02:12:08 am
The Webster - Merriam Dictionary defines responsibility as the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone. However in my eyes, this term has a much more powerful meaning. When you have to take out the trash or wash the dishes, your parents hold you responsible for finishing those chores, but within my own mind, I have responsibility to myself. Getting good grades, doing well in sports, and remaining in good standings with all my friends are all stuff that I am expected to do and therefore I find myself to be responsible for. As a society, though, I feel like though not everyone feels the same. I see many kids who disregard their responsibilities for cheap thrills. If everyone to were to honor this self-responsibility, then our country would be a much different place. To have responsibility to one's society is critical in constructing one's own moral fiber. Having this sense of awareness for oneself, others, and the society as a whole helps the community as a whole advance farther. That is a lesson that is bypassed by the children of today and the most probable cause in the lack of American greatness.
Tim M.
5/6/2015 02:19:12 am
One of the many definitions of responsibility is; reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments or a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible. To me this means that you are maturing and growing up. As you get older, more is expected of you. When you get older, you end up with a job and your own life. You live out on your own and mommy will not always be there to help. You must learn to take on your own obligations because there will not always be someone there to help you. In our society today I think that responsibility is and is not honored. I do not think it's honored because people may want to do things with you like party or anything similar to that and you can't because you have to do things. They may get mad at you but it shows that you are doing the right thing and they probably will end up with a poor life. But I also think that it is honored because it shows that you are growing up and not being childish, I think this stands out mostly to people not from this generation. My individual responsibility to go to my soccer practice. And my responsibility to society is to go to work and be productive.
Andrew Cuomo
5/6/2015 02:28:57 am
The denotation of responsibility is having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role. I think the connotative meaning of responsibility is when you are relied on to do a task. If you are responsible in our society today, you will be liked and do well. You would always be relied on because you would be known for being able to do a specific task. The other person would not have to worry about you not doing the task. Some responsibilities that I have today are to do my homework and to get good grades by doing well on my tests. These are my individual responsibilities because the only they effect me and the only person that can change them are me. Some responsibilities that I have for society is showing up to my baseball practices and games. If I did not show up to the practices and games, my teammates and coach would be very disappointed in me and they would surely lose some faith in me. If I just started skipping practice, then may teammates would never know if I am showing up, and then the coach would be very upset. I got the responsibility of showing up everyday when I made the team, and I cannot just let my team down.
Marisa B
5/6/2015 02:29:36 am
By the dictionary definition, responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with or having control over something or someone. However, everyone has a different perspective on what they constitute as responsible. Many factors play a part in the type of responsibility that people have such as their age, financial state, household and personal goals. Responsibility is not honored in our society today for many reasons. Often people do not take responsibility seriously or live up to their duties. For example, many grown adults or teenagers have to be at work at a certain time, but they often show up late. Also, teenagers are given homework to do for school and some of them choose not to do it. These examples show that responsibility is given in all forms, but it is not honored in society since people don't live up to these duties. Our individual responsibility to others is to be kind and helpful. I believe that as individuals we should all try to make a difference in the world by doing something for the community or contributing to society positively. The responsibility to myself is to take care of my well being and to be happy. Also, I have the responsibility of achieving personal goals such as doing well in school, sports, and being a good person. The perspectives of responsibility have changed over time, but will always be important when striving to be successful.
Andy S
5/6/2015 11:11:34 am
To be responsible, it means being able to contribute positivity to society. Responsibly is valued in our society when we reach a certain age. Children are not at all responsible, and therefore they contribute very little to society. We become more responsible during our childhood. We become more useful, whether it is helping around the house with chores, or working during the summer. Finally, we become the most mature we’ll ever be during adulthood. We will have careers that are necessary for society to function. Individual responsibility is the ability to stay healthy enough to be able to perform you duty to society. Our responsibility to others is to help them be able to perform for the benefit of the masses. When we benefit society, either by helping each other, or by keeping ourselves functioning, we demonstrate our ability to be responsible.
Rachael Tong
5/6/2015 12:34:44 pm
Being responsible is putting oneself in a position where others can rely on one to do the right thing, whether it be watching over younger siblings, getting to school on time, or paying bills. Responsibility has been taught to us by our parents, teachers, and other meaningful adults in our lives. We feel obligated to do something with a purpose, so we as humans try to do the responsible thing and do what’s expected of us. Responsibility is greatly honored in society; it’s how people make their way in the world. If humans weren’t responsible, we wouldn’t be where we are now. It’s no secret that most people don’t exactly want to get up early in the morning, go to work, and come back home five days a week. But it’s our responsibility to do what’s right to better ourselves and others. By going to school, you are preparing yourself to go to college. By going to college, you are preparing yourself for the real world, where you’ll be dependent on yourself. By going to work, you are providing a service to society, in addition to receiving an income to support yourself, as well as others. These are all responsibilities we have and cannot ignore. If we did, there’s no way our society could thrive as it does now.
Kelly M.
5/6/2015 03:53:22 pm
This response is well articulated and the examples that are within it are awesome! It is a relatable way to answer the question with the reference to the fact that people don't usually want to get up in the morning and follow through with their responsibilities of each day. The fact that you stated that without these duties society would not be the same was very intuitive. This is a real-life reference to what true responsibility entails and it is perfect! Great job, Rach!
Sydney T.
5/6/2015 12:47:11 pm
Responsibility by definition is "the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone." To be responsible means to be culpable for one's own actions and or persons that they are liable for. I do believe that responsibility is honored in our society but only to a certain extent. Adults are often known as being the most responsible. They are subjected to their actions and take blame when they need to. Responsibility only seems to be honored in the presence of an adult. Teenagers and children often come across as irresponsible for when they do something "reckless" it seems as though they are not responsible for the decision they had made. It is honored and dignified in this society but only in the company of an adult. Our individual responsibility to others and society is to be responsible for ourselves. To take care of or be responsible for: ourselves, actions, and words. By taking on this individual responsibility, it keeps society as a whole safer and intact.
Kelly M.
5/6/2015 03:48:39 pm
Responsibility and trust go hand in hand. Without one, the other cannot truly exist. With that being said, there is a great deal of pressure on young people in today’s society to speak like an adult, think like an adult, and act like an adult. But what is responsibility? How is a person deemed responsible or irresponsible? A person’s ethics and actions can earn or lose trust, therefore losing the blessing of responsibility. Although responsibility must be earned, there has to be opportunities given to people in order to prove themselves. Responsibility is not only valued and desired; it is honored. For example, when a teenager turns sixteen years old, they are allowed to begin to process of obtaining a driver’s license. With such a huge commitment and responsibility, comes preparation for it. A teen must get a learner’s permit and complete driver’s education prior to getting an official driver’s license. Once they have that license, the person now has a responsibility to be cautious and levelheaded when operating the vehicle. Not only could their life be in danger, but also the lives of others are then dependent on whether or not a person makes good choices. That is a prime example of individual responsibility to others and society is applied in everyday life.
Wade Grillo
5/7/2015 05:18:52 am
Responsibility is one of the main aspects of being a productive member of society. As an individual you need to sustain yourself and keep track of your personal responsibilities. You need to grow up and learn to handle the activities and jobs you are assigned. If everyone disregarded these personal responsibilities, humans as a civilization would not advance and would easily collapse. Responsibility to others is also an important aspect. As a citizen you have the moral responsibility to help your fellow man in his or her time of need, to an extent. If every time a car broke down or died and not one person stepped up and assisted the owner, there would be chaos. There are thousands of other little situations like this that are essential to human survival that many people may just see as a common courtesy. Responsibility may be seen as specific aspects of society, when in reality it revolves around what most people do. Without responsibility it is obvious that society would not function.
Logan L.
5/7/2015 11:48:53 am
I completely agree with your claim that responsibility is the foundation to a functioning society. As I said in my blog, without responsibility the world would not go round.
Manny A
5/8/2015 12:38:12 pm
Wade,
Mrs Elbakry
5/9/2015 06:34:08 am
Insightful points, Wade. Well done.
Laura W.
5/7/2015 05:55:53 am
Responsibility is very well respected in our society, and it is often taken for granted. Those who are more respected in our society have much more responsibility than others, such as those PTA or volunteer ladies who manage to do everything at once, including running the elementary school plant sale, the book fair, volunteering at the library, helping out in their child's classroom, etc. etc, or the president who has the entire country to look after, much like a parent looks after a small child. What's more, those people who juggle tons of responsibility effortless are highly praised and respected, whereas those who are given tons of responsibility only to have it crash are called untrustworthy or lazy. In truth, humans only have a few true responsibilities. We have no real obligation to help the rest of society, our only true responsibilities lie with us and our families. But that can be taken for being completely heartless, so we take on more responsibilities than we need and we forget that we don't actually have to do them.
Chris W
5/7/2015 05:55:55 am
Responsibility is when you can truly take charge of your life, own up to your own mistakes, and make the right decisions no matter how serious the consequences. Responsibility however is rarely honored in today's society. People often view today's generation as irresponsible and ill behaved. This is a stereotype that applies to only a few adolescents, yet we are all treated like we are not trustworthy. When my parents were children, their parents thought that they were responsible enough to go out with their friends or by themselves with not adult supervision. Nowadays. parents hover over social outings and even track our every-move through our electronic devices. Although many teenagers are very responsible, this is not the opinion that is expressed by society. We as individuals have responsibilities to do, and I don't mean chores or homework etc. I mean things we must do for others. One of which is to help people in need. If you see and old lady struggling with her groceries or an underclassmen getting picked on in the hall, it is your responsibility to help that person. Society as a whole also has responsibilities. For example, we all must do the right thing. It is our responsibility to take the high road and do the right thing in society regardless of possible consequences. Not doing the right think will not only hurt you, but it will hurt others around you. Therefore, it is you and societies responsibility to do the right thing.
Patrick M
5/7/2015 09:56:40 am
Chris,
Mary Palys
5/7/2015 11:57:58 am
Great description Chris! I like the way you described responsibility. However, I disagree with our opinion on how it is rarely honored. I think that if you continually show responsibility you can prove your competence to yourself and everyone around you.
Patrick M
5/7/2015 09:42:35 am
To be responsible in today’s world is to actively take initiative without necessarily being asked to. Responsibility is the ultimate sign of maturity, as it is inherently selfless. Such a quality is obviously held in high regard by our society, and is even considered to be a major milestone on the path to adulthood. Parents and other older family members typically are delighted to see the youth of the family taking on responsible roles, since this would generally be indicative of the children becoming well-prepared for the latter stages in their lives. As one gets older, more and more opportunities would present themselves that, in order to be properly handled, would require one to possess the attribute of responsibility. In fact, actual examples of both individual and societal responsibilities are quite numerous. One certainly has a responsibility to care for one’s own child, and to promote the child’s growth and development to achieve a wholesome future. However, the simple act of taking initiative can come in a form as seemingly insignificant as treating others with respect. Being kind and mindful of other’s opinions is not necessarily obligatory, but when combined with reciprocal or continued respect, a chain reaction of goodwill would inevitably occur. It is true that society would not be changed overnight with actions so relatively minor, but it is respect that provides the framework for a functioning, caring community. A responsible member of society works to maintain the peacefulness of his world with the welfare of future generations, and not of his own self, in mind.
Ashley L
5/7/2015 11:46:13 am
Being responsible means being accountable for one's actions and having certain obligations to fulfill. Responsibility is not limited to a certain age group of people, or just humans for that matter. This can be seen in life every day. Bees have the responsibility of pollinating various plants, thus contributing to the survival of their colony and the whole ecosystem. If bees denied their responsibility, all other living organisms would suffer extreme consequences such as a lack of food, decline in population and extinction. Many times, responsibility and selflessness go hand in hand. A responsibility could include an obligation to help someone else and not directly benefit yourself.This is honored in society today. For example, when someone has a child, it is their responsibility to provide for him or her. It might not be the easiest task to take on, but it is their duty whether they are ready or not. Another example of this would be driving. When someone has a license, it is their responsibility to obey the rules of the road and to be considerate of their surroundings. Responsibility is almost a six sense in all organisms, a feeling that when acted upon, helps keep balance in one's environment.
Julia H.
5/7/2015 12:19:54 pm
This response had very insightful real life connections that demonstrate the various aspects of responsibility. I agree that no matter what we do in our lives, responsibility is a part of it. Your answer was well articulated and overall I thought nice! Great job Ash:)
Julia H.
5/7/2015 12:25:52 pm
I also liked how you included the fact that responsibility is not just limited to a specific age group, every person, and even animals or insects, have some type of responsibility. This can be an obligation to help someone else or just something that is essential for survival.
Logan L.
5/7/2015 11:46:24 am
Responsibility is the virtue associated with those who take matters into their own hands and do what is required of them. Responsibility is highly honored in our society in large part to the fact that it is one of the principles on which America is founded. Also, since responsible people are people who can be relied upon, they are naturally valued over their less trustworthy counterparts, therefore placing them at a high level of respect. As human beings, we all have the responsibility of living peaceful and productive lives so as to maintain a flourishing society. Also, those who are successful in live have the responsibility of giving back to society so as to help give opportunity to those who would otherwise not have it due to financial difficulty. This is especially true in America, which is known throughout the world as the land of opportunity. Furthermore, we are obligated to fight for our country if necessary in order to ensure it continues to survive and prosper. Without responsibility, the human race would be no where and society would not be possible. Even the smallest things that we take for granted would not get done because no one would feel responsible to do them, such as minute acts of kindness, chores, or going to work. Some may say that money makes the world go round, and while this may be very true, responsibility plays a huge role as well.
Mary Palys
5/7/2015 11:55:24 am
To be responsible is to actively take part in your community. Say if you spill water on the floor in school. Yes, there are janitors to clean it up for you but if you clean it up for yourself then you are being responsible. Responsibility is highly honored in society because it leads to self reliance. It is the final stepping stone to your parents trusting you enough to stay home alone and cook for yourself. Being responsible is a way to prove your own competence and intelligence. By taking a punishment for your actions or picking up something that you dropped and not waiting for someone else to do it for you makes you a part of society. Our individual responsibility to ourselves and everyone around us is to take care of ourselves. By taking care of ourselves we are providing for the society and not taking from it. Also, by taking care of ourselves we provide a future for those who won't be able to help us then.
Julia
5/7/2015 12:11:04 pm
Responsibility has various interpretations. In some cases it can mean taking on multiple tasks at a time independently with an organizational process. Other times it may mean making the righteous decisions throughout life and taking the benefits or consequences of those choices. The definitions vary depending on what context it is brought up in and how each individual interprets the word and its context. All of these interpretations are correct in their own situations and each one is prevalent in today’s society. I feel as though some aspects of responsibility are followed through in society, however, others are avoided. In some cases, a person is able to take on all of the necessary tasks that life throws at them, while others fall short and fail to complete all of their requirements. It depends on the mindset of that person and how they want to shape and create their future. This happens all throughout high school classes. Some students are faithful in the fact that they complete all of the assignments and study to achieve their grades in the class; there are others who do not act in this way. Instead they try to get away with not doing their homework and not taking the time to study for an exam. When making decisions, some follow moral ideas and make conscious decisions for various events in their life. There are those who feel as though they do not have to make the right choices and can get away with dishonest acts without being caught. If they are caught for what they have done, they do not fess up and take responsibility for the choices that they made. Instead they try to avoid the topic of discussion and attempt to get the blame off of their shoulders. As you grow older, the amount of responsibilities in life and at times all of those tasks can be difficult to fulfill. From the math homework that is due in class, to the big task of the PTO submitting a budget plan for the school system to base its education decisions on, each responsibility may have its own level of importance. We do have certain responsibilities that we must abide by for others in society. For example, students have a responsibility to our parents to go to school and help with the chores at home, while our parents have to go to work and earn an income that will provide for our family. If the various aspects of responsibility are not followed through, it can affect people in a negative way and create large amounts of disorganization. Together we need to follow through on responsibilities to make society the best it can be for present times and allow it to carry on into the future.
Justin Olson
5/7/2015 12:24:32 pm
Responsibility is having an obligation to do something. Being responsible is a way of showing maturity. When you are responsible, you take action into your own hands. It is often intertwined with becoming an adult. Responsibility is not something your parents hand down to you, but more of a tool that you have to teach yourself in order to be successful in the future. Today, teenagers are asked to take on more and more responsibility. It is becoming tougher and tougher to be offered opportunities. From the job market to colleges to specialized programs, everything is becoming a competition. This is why it has become increasing important to show that you can handle greater responsibilities. It is a very big asset in today’s world. It demonstrates that you are organized with a good work ethic, and this will eventually set you apart from others. An impressive list of accomplishments illustrates dedication, the ability to go above and beyond,
Hailey H
5/7/2015 12:40:54 pm
When the word responsible is said, it is mostly seen as an adjective that describes someone who behaves, follows the rules, and makes appropriate decisions. Examples of this can be seen as parents or teachers since they are seen as good role models for their responsible actions. However responsibility is not always honored in our society. On one hand, people who are responsible are praised for their way of life. On the other hand though, the most famous people in today's generation are the ones who can be considered as irresponsible. The individuals who break the rules, push the limits, and try new things are the ones who are really remembered. This is because they show the population a new way of doing ordinary actions and therefore are seen as creative and adventurous, not irresponsible. Our individual responsibility to others is to do actions that will not only benefit ourselves, but also others. If someone is always wreckless and not caring of others, they will not seem responsible to people. To go along with the responsibility for society as a whole, if every person was to make decisions that they believed were the responsible choice for themselves, the population would not be able to function properly since everyone would be seen as irresponsible is every individual's eyes. Although there is no true decision as to whether being responsible is better than being irresponsible, there are the benefits of being both. Being responsible shows good behavior and being irresponsible gives way to new ideas. The decision depends all on the person.
Christopher C
5/7/2015 12:53:01 pm
Being responsible means to have the ability to make decisions over an event or situation and to be held accountable for any consequences. Being responsible in our society is not easy to achieve. Nobody is automatically responsible, instead responsibility must be earned. Mahatma Gandhi one said, "It is wrong and immoral to seek to escape the consequences of one's acts." Being able to take responsibility for an action is very hard to do, thus making being seen as a responsible person very tough. In our society people honor responsibility with trust and respect. When people are not responsible it is very difficult to gain trust and respect. For example if someone was entrusted to babysit a friend's young child, and that child got sick or hurt the parent of that child may have trouble when trusting that person with their children. The responsibility of that person was to watch the child and take care of them, but they failed to do so. Our individual responsibility to society is to control our actions. By being responsible in society, we will be able to respect and trust each other and live better lives.
Ethan LaFrance
5/7/2015 02:34:06 pm
Chris- I love your loose definition of responsibility. The way you keep the concept simple really advances it in terms of versatility because it can be applied to many scenarios. I also like that you don't make it seem as if every person has responsibility to right their wrongs, because some wrongs in life can simply not be righted. I too believe that while not all wrongs must be righted, they must be accepted.
Heather H.
5/7/2015 12:53:03 pm
Responsibility is different for every person, depending on what they are required to do in their life. However, there are certain responsibilities that people need to have in society. To be responsible means to be able to carry your own weight, no matter what this may be. Responsibility is often overlooked in our current society. People are not looked at objectively, but rather under scrutinizing eyes that blame the littlest of things. It seems as if people do not understand that just because something works well or is important to them, it might mean something different for others. It is hard to understand this idea and to find out other people’s perspectives, but this is definitely what society is lacking. In society, people must realize that they need to take action where it must be taken and own up to whatever they have done. This could mean that they go above and beyond in helping others and being a sustainable resource, or it could be more simple like managing your own personal life well. Either way, everyone has to have responsibilities for both themselves and others.
Kelly W
5/7/2015 01:35:48 pm
I agree completely with what you said, but especially your beginning. responsibility cannot be properly defined or articulated to fit a whole society. Everyone believes in different responsibilities, so it's not a "one fits all" word. Great post!
Kelly W
5/7/2015 01:34:00 pm
The definition of "responsibility" varies for each person. To be responsible, each person must be able to handle themselves and the tasks in their life. As for kids, homework is a given responsibility because the kid needs to keep control of their work. Same with grades; the kid needs to control their own grades, not their parents or any other person. Adults need to be able to be responsible for their children or work. A good example is when kids drink underage. While the kid was the one completing the action, the adult is held "responsible". This is because they were supposed to be in control of their kid and what they were doing. However, responsibility is not as valued anymore. There are always excuses that kids have for not doing their homework and people in general argue the punishment for their negligence. In the past, adults never babied their children or took the blame for their irresponsibility. Nowadays, no one ever wants to be responsible for themselves. Another good example is the lack of care with kids and their grades. They are responsible for their grades, however they don't put effort in to keep their grades up or even participate in class. Overall, responsibility is lacking in this generation especially. Our responsibility as a society is to obey the law and keep our Earth clean, however again people do not care anymore and break the law whenever they please and make it like it's no big deal. Same with littering; people are lacking their personal and general responsibilities as a whole, which is an increasing issue.
Erin Satkowski
5/8/2015 05:44:26 am
This was a very interesting perspective on the topic of responsibility. I didn't think about it in this way. I like how you used examples of the daily life occurrences to support your definition of responsibility. I thought responsibility was honored more in our society because there is more expected of us, however, your comment also opened my eyes to the other side of the argument.
Ethan LaFrance
5/7/2015 02:30:53 pm
When I was younger, responsibility to be symbolized work; mowing the lawn, dusting my room, and vacuuming the basement. The thought of "responsiblity" terrified me, because it would disturb my usual weekend plans of sleeping and reading. Later in life, I took my ideas of the concept of responsibility into question. Responsibility to me is the acceptance of the consequence of one's actions and the choice to not sit back and ignore life. If you sign up to do something, you are responsible to either do it or explain why you can't do it to those you signed up for, better yet finding someone to replace you. Instead of just ignoring your obligations, deal with them by making your own choices and acting to settle situations in your life. This is responsibility. Too often in our modern society, responsibility is neglected. I cannot speak for the worldwide situation, but every day I see people who have made choices (in some cases choices of indecision) and cannot except the outcomes of the said choices. It's ok to mess up, just be responsible enough to accept your mistake and try to improve on your decision making next time. I believe our responsibility to others is to be honest and truthful as possible to them, and do our best not to cause them any sort of physical or emotional harm. To society as a whole, the individual has no responsiblity. This would impose too much restriction on their life choices. The only responsibility had is to those we directly affect.
Erin Satkowski
5/8/2015 05:41:15 am
What it means to be responsible is acting mature and doing what is expected of you. It also means standing up for what you believe in. When take control of your life and the situation ahead of you is acting responsible. Responsibility is greatly honored in our society because it means that you work hard. Great success comes with great responsibility. It is valued everywhere, but especially in the working force. People are more apt to trust you with important tasks if you are responsible. Our individual responsibility is to take care of ourselves and strive for greatness. We should be held accountable for our actions and mature enough to make our own path. The responsibility of our society as a whole is to take care of each other and our planet. We should all be good people within our society. Each individual person should work to make the world a better place and better the lives of other individuals.
Manny A
5/8/2015 12:34:34 pm
Responsibility is when people do necessary things in order to live a sustainable life. Responsibility includes doing chores and working at a job in order to keep households running smoothly. Responsibility is greatly honored in our society by adults who work to support their children and for people of any age to do chores. Responsible beings will also have morals and make the right decisions regarding the situation at hand. If a mother of two decides to go out and party, when she should go home and feed her children, she would definitely not be considered responsible. Our individual responsibility to others is to show respect towards them so we can get respect back in return. Also, as adolescents, it is responsible to go to school and get an education, so that one day, we can have a family of our own, thus having new responsibilities that need to be addressed. Some may say that teens have more responsibilities than adults, but it pretty much varies on the situation. Hard-working adults will obviously have a greater number of responsibilities than a lazy teenager. Comments are closed.
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English 10 HonorsPlease respond to the question in at least 10 Archives
May 2015
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