Different ways to look at it
Posted posted by jsheehan @ 4:30 PM
The answer to what social responsibility is varies as you look to different people, businesses, communities and countries. To the individual this answer is largely dependent upon their own ideas, beliefs and personal history. It would not be fair for someone to say another is not socially responsible because that individual is not involved in the same sort of causes. I believe that an individual is socially responsible when they are
conscious of the needs of the community around them and then take action to help solve issues that they feel strongly about. Because there are seemingly endless amounts of issues facing each community, social responsibility could not require one to engage in solving, or even engaging in, each individual problem. This might also need to include individuals refraining from activities that are detrimental to the society as a whole. Businesses fulfill their social responsibility in a variety of ways. A business is able to contribute greatly to the community simply by thriving as a company, which helps to boost the economy. It should also work to build up the community in which it thrives so that it leaves the society stronger than it would be without it. Last of all, a company must conduct itself according to the laws of the land in which it is. Communities can
exercise this type of responsibility by striving to support and protect the individual citizens within its borders. This is quite a different
fete for a community such as New York City when compared to a town of just a few thousand. I do believe that it is often almost impossible to look after each
individual person, but if that community is responsible as a whole it will be working towards a greater life for all of their citizens, not just the upper class. Finally, nations can exhibit this responsible nature in various ways as well. Being that there are numerous countries around the world, each at their own individual level both socially and economically, I believe that there cannot be just one set of standards for all. I think that nations must first look after their own, and then, if they are able, look to the world community to see where they can be of assistance to those who are less fortunate. So the answer to what social responsibility is depends upon the group to which you are
referring to. As for me, I believe that I am being socially responsible if I am consistently engaged in opportunities to serve and strengthen my family, friends and the community around me. I think that each of us should take the opportunity to enlighten other about the causes that we believe in. There are many ways to do this, writing is just one of them. After we write about it, though, it must be followed by action for our words to carry any sort of merit.
