There was a time not so long ago when the biggest worries in life were how to eat ice cream before it melted or ensuring you got the best picture card in exchange. That was childhood—a time of freedom with hardly any responsibilities, let alone social responsibilities. But with age, the role roles and expectations evolve dramatically. The carefree days of childhood gave way to the intricate web of Social responsibility, leading to a different kind of mid-life crisis. So strong is the impact of this transition that it’s not uncommon to wish for the simplicity of childhood again, reminiscing about the carefree days with lines like, “Lauta Do Bachpan Ka Sawan, Who Kagaz Ki Kashti Who Barish Ka Paani.”
Childhood Never Prepared Me for the Future
Back then, responsibilities were limited to not dirtying the school uniform, shining shoes, and saying “please” and “thank you”. Surrounded by a mix of guidance and affection from grandparents, the concept of responsibility remained foreign. Add to it, the “Can’t” and “Don’t” accompanying the simplest of tasks hardly prepared us for the sudden tsunami of social frameworks and responsibilities awaiting us in adulthood.
The Expectations Changed
One day, the dream of an imaginary, cocooned, protective living was shattered. The realisation struck like a bolt of lightning: beyond personal and family responsibilities, there is a wider sphere of social obligations. These responsibilities, though sometimes seeming obligatory, are built on a collective framework of wisdom and knowledge, defining the interdependence of current and future generations.
Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical and moral framework where each of us is expected to work and cooperate with others in ways that benefit the community. It’s less about the unpaid nature of our actions and more about investing in future generations. Essentially, it’s about behaving more humanely.
The Role and My Adapting
Social responsibility is a means of achieving sustainability, working towards the good of the community, society, and the globe. Key tenets include accountability, transparency, empathy, ethical behaviour, long-term vision, and minimalistic, greed-free living. It translates to actions like saving resources, protecting the environment, and recycling.
I Can Make a Difference
The subject of social responsibility is vast. While I may not excel in every area, I can still make a difference by aligning my actions with socially responsible behaviour. By doing so, I contribute to sustainability in a transparent and humane manner.
Take Your Pick of Social Responsibility.
There are countless ways to be socially responsible, many of which align with current societal expectations – experience and benefit all. Here are some examples that make sense and are worth following – I do score well enough on most of them.
- Championing human rights, equality, and inclusion.
- Avoiding child labour.
- Planting trees and avoiding deforestation.
- Conserving water, including water recycling and harvesting.
- Helping educate all.
- Paying taxes as required by law.
- Avoiding the creation and sharing of fake information.
- Voting in elections.
- Upholding the dignity of life and the dead.
- Being accountable for your actions.
- Maintaining ethical behaviour in personal and professional life.
- Observing the rule of law.
- Keeping public spaces clean and not littering.
Embracing Social Responsibility
It doesn’t matter if all your behaviours fall under the umbrella of social responsibility. What matters is making a start. Each small step impacts the future of our planet and the lives of our species. Even passive social responsibility—avoiding harmful actions and promoting social goals—can make a difference.
I advocate for positive selfishness and being the CEO of your own life. As discussed in my book, “25 Rules of Life: I Wish I Had Known Earlier,” even if we all practice positive selfishness, we can still make decisions that benefit the collective good, both individually and at a societal level.
Adulthood brings a dramatic shift in roles and expectations, including social responsibilities. Embracing these responsibilities—whether as simple as conserving water or as profound as championing human rights—shapes a sustainable future for all. Join me in exploring how to navigate and adapt to these with a sense of purpose.
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