The Important Nature/Features of Role of a Person in Society are:
(1) Role is the action aspect of Status:
Role is in fact the action aspect of status involves various types of actions that a person has to perform in accordance with till expectations of the society. “Role is the sum total or the pattern of the actions that performed by a person for the fulfillment of the expectations of other members of society”. These actions are dependent not on the individual will but on the social sanction.
(2) Cultural basis:
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Role has a cultural basis. It means the functions expected to performed by a person in society. Naturally, these expectations are based on the culture society. That is why every social role has a cultural basis. Because of this fact the roles are performed against the social values and ideals are not tolerated.
(3) Changing nature of Role:
Social roles are always in accordance with the soc values, ideals and patterns. When these ideals, values and pattern change, nature inscape the role also changes. The role which in justified at a particular time may not be justified some other time.
(4) Limited area of operation:
Every role has a limited area of operation and the roil has to be confined within that limit. For example an officer has a role to play in the office but when he reaches his family, that role ceases.
If the officer continues to perform that role in his family also, he shall not be able to carry out his work. Each role functions in a limited field.
(5) No role is fully and totally performed:
It is not possible for anyone to perform his role fully up to the expectations of the society. There is always some difference between expected role and the role actually performed.
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For example, a father may not be able to perform his role to the full satisfaction of the members of his family. Man is neither a machine nor a computer. He has his limitations. Role has a generalised form of expected action. Actual performance of the role may be slightly different from the generalised form.
(6) Different Roles enjoy different importance:
From the socio-cultural point of view, all the roles are not equally important. Some of the roles are more important while others are less. The roles that are most important are called key roles while the roles that are of general importance, are called general roles. Key roles are important for the organisation of the society while general roles are helpful in the fulfilment of day to day activities.