Meaning and types of behavior

This is the behavior which is acceptable to society. Example of such behaviors includes honesty, love, kindness, openness, obedience, sympathy and co-operation.

This type of behavior may originate from various areas in the society. These include:

1. Parents – good parents guide their children toward proper behavior.
2. Mass media – radio, television, newspaper and other media have programmes or articles which teach people good behavior.
3. Proper education – people who get proper formal as well as informal education usually have good behavior.
4. Good friends – good friends guide and counsel each other so that they can behave properly.
5. Religious teaching – people who follow proper religious teaching behave properly in the society.

1. Respect for parents, relatives and other people.
2. Use of proper language – this means not using abusive language or any word that makes people angry.
3. Taking part in community activities such as funerals, weddings and environmental conservation.
4. Proper dressing – this refers to the style of dressing which is socially acceptable.
5. Working hard by spending time in a positive and productive way.
6. Helping others where and when it is necessary.

Members of the society are encouraged to behave properly. The following are some of the benefits of proper behavior in the society:

1. There is unity, peace and harmony in the society since there is respect among people.
2. The members in the society are helpful and co-operate with each other.
3. Everyone in the society is free to exercise rights and fulfill their responsibilities.
4. There is development and prosperity in the society as people work hard.

This is behavior which is not acceptable in society. Examples of improper behavior include:

1. Use of abusive language.
2. Prostitution.
3. Taking illicit drugs.
4. Laziness.
5. Fighting.
6. Stealing and robbery.
7. Causing trouble and disturbing the peace.
8. Disrespect for school rules.
9. Disrespect for parents, elders and relatives.
10. Arrogance, that is, being rude because one feels that he or she is more important than the others.

Improper behavior can be a result of many factors. Some of these factors are:

1. Lack of parental care and guidance: some parents do not spend enough time with their children to know their problems. When a child lacks guidance from his or her parents he or she may develop bad habits.
2. The mass media: television, radio, the internet and the newspaper play a great role in changing people's behavior, especially young people. Some of the programmes and articles expose young people to violence, prostitution and other social evils. Young people may be tempted to copy what they see, hear and read in the mass media.
3. Poverty: some people may be forced to engage in bad habits because of their poor economic status. They may steal or engage in prostitution to earn money.
4. Drunkenness: drinking alcohol excessively can make some people lose control of his or her actions resulting in improper behavior.
5. Lack of proper education: education is an important tool in changing people's behavior. Ignorance can lead to improper behavior.
6. Friends: some friends are not good. They can lead one into bad habits like truancy, stealing, use of abusive language, drugs, prostitution and absenteeism from school.

Improper behavior may result in bad consequences. Some of these are:

1. Spreading of HIV and AIDS due to prostitution and sharing of needles for injection of drugs.
2. Crime such as robbery and rape.
3. Social problems such as drug abuse, homosexuality and corruption.
4. Family problems such as lack of food, unwanted pregnancies and early marriages.
5. Poverty, when people do not work and therefore do not produce wealth.
6. Lawlessness in the society as people do not respect each other.

Several measures can be taken to control improper behavior. Some of these measures are:

1. Mass education on good behavior among members of the society.
2. Parental involvement – parents need to be closer to their children and spend quality time with them, counseling and guiding them.
3. Religious adherence – people who belong to different faiths should adhere to their religious teachings on good behavior.
4. Government enforcement – the government should enforce the existing laws to curb anti-social behavior.
5. Ban on pornographic material – the importation of pornographic material should be banned.
6. School education – schools and colleges should educate young people on how to behave properly in the society.
7. Universal education – the government should ensure all children get formal education. Parents should be encouraged to take their children to school.