<center><b>What constitutes the 'tribulations of the self' in contemporary society, according to Anthony Giddens? Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.</b></center><br><br>This essay will seek an explanation of what constitutes the 'tribulations of the self' according to Anthony Giddens (1991). In the first part of this paper, I discuss some central ways language has been viewed focusing the review on social constructivist writings as well as those stemming from the study of human development. In the second part of this paper, I discuss data that leads to the reconsideration of aspects of the language - selfhood interface. I conclude by suggesting some future avenues of research.<br><br>First the essay will outline the various …show more content…

He argues that trust vested in abstract systems that help with day to day security is not as valid as trust vested in persons, and that the latter provides the moral satisfaction. This leads us into Giddens analysis of the pure relationship and the stresses and strains that he sees to cause anxiety. Here he talks about the 'reflexive project of the self', the idea that in post modern society it is more up to the individual to shape ones own identity, to make decisions. In traditional society authority was much more central and had more influence on the choices people made.<br><br>He says that the pure relationship is a good environment for working on the reflexive project of the self because 'it both allows for and demands organised and continuous self understanding.'(Giddens, 1991. p 186). Giddens finds that the burdens of the pure relationship outweigh the benefits and that they are often the cause of the need of therapy. The possibility of dissolution, the commitment and the trust involved in the relationship can be sources of tension.<br><br>The next section of Giddens' tribulations is headed '"Living in the world": dilemnas of the self'. Here he uses the phenomenon of globalisation as a source of anxiety. Today we are more aware of the world around us and more to the point the problems there are within it. In traditional society, for example, one was aware mainly or solely of