[Type here]

Gr 11 Life Orientation Study Notes.

Definitions you must know:

Gender
Inhumane
Representative
Goals
Resources
Accountability
Learnership
Awareness
Detrimental
Mitigate
Culture
Ethics

Development of Self in Society.

Goals and life skills.
 What are goals?
- Goals are the things we want to achieve in life. It is our plans and aims. They are different
from dreams and wishes in that we can take active steps to achieve goals. We can turn our
wish into a goal.
- When we have goals we know where we are going. Goals are important because they help
you to take charge of your life and make decisions.

 You must set SMART goals.

S SPECIFIC What do I want to achieve? You must say exactly

what you want to achieve.
Who is involved?/What do I need to be able to do this.
M MEASURABLE You must be able to measure if your make progress
and achieve
A ACHIEVABLE What do I need to achieve it? Money, skills, abilities.

R REALISTIC You must be able to achieve it and must be willing to

work towards achieving the goals.
T TIME BASED You must set a time limit to achieve your goals

 Types of goals:
1. Short-term goals: we achieve it in a short space of time e.g. a project you
want to finish the weekend. You achieve them in a week or month.
2. Medium-term goals: Something you want to achieve in the next 6 months.
3. Long-term goals. These goals you want to achieve in a few years.
Like becoming a doctor or engineer.

Relationships.

1
[Type here]

 What are values?

- It is the principals you think are important in life.
It helps you to make decisions on how you want to live your life.
- You values will influence the decisions you make.
- It will influence the kind of goals you set in your life. Your values will shape your mission
statement.
- Things that will influence your values are your environment, your school, important people
in your life etc.
- Values help you to choose what is important to you - it helps you to set your priorities.

Types of relationships with different people or groups

Family Casual
- People who are related to you through - Relationships with people you see often,
blood or marriage. but are not close to like friends and fam-
- Probably closest to you ily.
- Will receive the most love, care and
support from them.
Friends Formal
- A person you know well, like, trust - Relationships with people who are usu-
and respect and who supports you ally in a more senior position than your-
- Good friends will have a positive ef- self.
fect on your well-being. - Example teachers and elders.
- Harmful friends can lead you to risky
behaviour and you can get hurt. Romantic
- Close relationship with another person,
based on love.
- With this person you can be yourself,
without demands to change.

Positive relationship
Skills for maintaining a positive relationship:
- Unselfish
- Caring
- Mutual respect
- Ability to communicate
- Accepting people as they are
- Sympathetic
- Good listener
- Supportive
- Able to work as team

Communication: Open, honest, and respectful communication is foundational. It helps partners

express their needs, resolve conflicts, and build trust.
Mutual Respect: Valuing each other’s opinions, boundaries, and individuality strengthens the
relationship. Disrespect can erode trust and lead to resentment.
Shared Goals and Values: Aligning on key life goals and values can provide a strong bond.
Differences should be navigated through compromise and understanding.
Quality Time: Spending meaningful time together helps maintain a connection. It's about
creating memories and enjoying each other’s company away from daily stressors.

2
[Type here]

Support and Encouragement: Being each other’s cheerleader fosters a sense of safety and
belonging. Encouragement during tough times reinforces resilience.
Adaptability: Life changes, and so do people. Flexibility and willingness to adapt to new
circumstances or changes in each other’s lives can help navigate transitions smoothly.
Trust: Built over time through consistent actions. Breaking trust can be detrimental, and
rebuilding it requires patience and effort.
Affection and Appreciation: Regularly expressing love and gratitude reinforces a positive
emotional connection. Small acts of kindness can have significant impacts.
A good relationship is a partnership. Both individuals must be willing to invest time, energy, and c
are to keep it flourishing.

Healthy and balanced lifestyle choices

1.1. Characteristics of a healthy and balanced lifestyle

A balanced lifestyle means that there is balance and harmony between the
following aspects of your life :

 Physical : Being physically fit and healthy.

 Psychological : Avoid risky behaviours and apply life skills.
 Social : Have good relationships with family and friends.
 Emotional : Are able to explore, express and control emotions.
 Spiritual : Following the rules of your religion / belief system.

Factors that impact negatively on lifestyle choices

Risky behaviour and situations
- Risky behaviour and situations are not like accidents, because you have control over
them.
- Risky behaviour such as substance abuse, affects your personal safety and has a nega-
tive impact on your lifestyle choices.
Socio-economic environment
- For example : lack of literacy, low income, very high income, poor neighbourhood, no
access to medical care, peer-pressure, substance abuse, crime abuse and violence.

Factors that impact positively on lifestyle choices

 Positive role models

- A person who can inspire and motivate you to make healthy and useful lifestyle choices.
- This person is a good example to others.
- People admire such a role model and want to imitate his/her.

 Parents
They can have a positive influence on their children’s lifestyle choices, if they :
- Support, encourage and support
- Educate
- Warn about alcohol and substance abuse
- Model healthy behaviour
- Never drive under the influence or while talking on the cell phone
- Show acceptance and love
- Set clear rules
- Supervise study times and ensure all school work is done

3
[Type here]

- Encourage participation in physical activities

 Peers
- Friends from the same age can positively influence your life style choices.

 Personal values, belief system and religion

- Your values (the criteria for acceptable behaviour) and religion / belief systems can pos-
itively influence your life style choices.
- Healthy relationships, peace, positive attitudes and improved physical health may stem
from the above.

 Media, social and cultural influences

- Health information is freely available in the printed and electronic media
- Culture is a set believes and attitudes shared by a group of people and can impact on
your life style choices. Many cultural traditions are based on healthy living and good in-
terpersonal relationships.

Role of nutrition in health

 Nutrition is an important aspect of fitness and health
To be healthy, you need to follow a nutritious, balanced diet and get regular physical
exercise.
Manage your weight by exercising, eat nutritious food, don’t starve yourself and don’t
overeat and always drink enough water.

 Types of food that provides healthy sources of energy

CONCEPT EXPLANATION
kilojoules A measure of how much energy food provides for your
body. The food label will indicate the amount of energy
per serving.
carbohydrates Important energy source found in fruits, vegetables,
wholegrain products, pap and potatoes /sweet potatoes.
You will gain weight if you eat too much carbohydrates,
without burning it through exercise.
fibre Helps to keep your digestive system healthy. All whole r
Grain products are high in fibre.

protein Foods rich in protein are : fish, meat, dairy, beans,

lentils, nuts and eggs. Protein assists muscle and tissue
generation.
Vitamins and Essential vitamins and minerals are : Vitamins A,B,C,D
minerals calcium and iron. Fruit contains vitamin C and
antioxidants which help to reduce cell damage. Yoghurt
is a good source of calcium and vitamin B.
fats Fats are found in oil, butter and meat, fish and nuts.
Unsaturated fats found in nuts, fish and olive oil, are
good fats because they do not raise your cholesterol
levels.
sugar Avoid having more than one teaspoon sugar a day. Eat
low GI-foods that have a slower effect on your blood
sugar levels. They break down slowly and give you a
4
[Type here]

longer sense of being full.

Power and gender in relationships

 The role of power in relationships
Having power means having control over something or someone. In relationships one
person may have power over another. We call these relationships power relations.

 Gender roles and stereotyping

Gender stereotyping is when people think that someone behaves or will behave in a certain
way because of their gender. For example, thinking that all girls like to cook, Men earn the
money and women spend it.

 Gender roles
In society there are traditional gender roles. Men and women have different biological roles
which have influenced their roles in society. Women bear children and in the past they
stayed at home to raise the children. Men went out to work and earn the money. Men had
financial power and could decide how the money was used. Women were dependent on
men, tied down by family responsibilities. This is changing and many women today who
have children also work.

In traditional gender roles, being masculine means being dominant while being feminine
means being submissive. We live in a society that has expectations of people based on
their gender. For example, men are supposed to be strong and powerful, while women and
children can be weak and submissive. Women are expected to be emotional, whereas men
are rational.
More examples:
- Women are emotional and let emotions rule their lives
- Men are more interested in sex than women
- Women are more mature than men
- Engineering in not a career for women
- Men are insensitive

Women:
 Career and Employment: Women often face expectations to balance
professional and domestic responsibilities. This can limit career
advancement opportunities due to potential biases about their
commitment or capabilities.
 Household Duties: Even in dual=income households, women frequently shoulder more do
mestic chores and childcare responsibilities, often
termed the "second shift."
 Personal Safety and Mobility: Women may have to take extra
precautions for their safety, impacting their freedom to move about
independently, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas.
Men:
 Career Expectations: Men might face pressure to be the primary
breadwinner, which can lead to stress and the neglect of personal life or
well-being.
 Emotional Expression: Societal norms often discourage men from
expressing vulnerability or seeking mental health support, reinforcing
stereotypes around toughness and stoicism.

5
[Type here]

 Parental Involvement: While more men are actively engaging in

parenting, traditional gender roles can still marginalize their participation,
sometimes leading to less recognition or support for their efforts at home.
The effect of gender roles on men and women:

MEN WOMEN
- Prevent them from showing feel- - Views are not taken seriously
ings. - Taken for granted and is not al-
- Forced to be one of the boys lowed to develop as individual
- Treat women inferior when with - Have little say in decisions that
friends are made
- Boys sporting events are more im-
portant than girls

Gender roles and their effects on health and well-being

Gender roles are the different roles, behaviour and activities that society thinks
are appropriate or right for women and men.
The different roles that women and men play can affect their health and
well-being.
 Power inequality
- some people have more rights, better opportunities and more power than other peo-
ple.
- The power balance is unfair which may lead to power struggles
- Unequal power relations can affect a person negatively, for example : some cultures
think education for girls is not important.

It often leads to one partner dictating major decisions or controlling resources,

while the other feels marginalized or dependent.Such an imbalance undermines the principles of
mutual respect and equality that are foundationalto healthy relationships. The person with less
power may feel constrained, unable to voice their opinions or make autonomous
decisions, leading to feelings of frustration and resentment.
Over time, this dynamic can erode trust and intimacy, creating an environment where coercion and
manipulation flourish instead of collaborationand support.

Critically, power inequality can also perpetuate cycles of abuse, as the dominant partner may
exploit their position to control or harm the other. This dynamic makes it exceedingly difficult for
the less powerful individual to leave or address the imbalance, especially when financial or social
dependencies are involved.

Ultimately, for relationships to be truly fulfilling, both partners need to feel equally empowered and
respected. Addressing power imbalances requires open communication, mutual support, and
sometimes external help or counseling. Balance is key to ensuring that both individuals can thrive
and grow together.

Abuse of power
 Individual : Physical abuse
- Using physical force to cause harm, injury, disability or death.

 Family : Incest

6
[Type here]

- Sexual intercourse between people who are so closely related that they would not be
allowed to get married by law.

 Cultural : mourning period

- Many cultures have religious rituals, traditions or behaviour for mourning or grieving
for someone who has died. These rules dictate the mourning period, mourning dress
code and mourning behaviour. Rules are strictly enforced for widows.

 Social : Domestic violence

- Happens when one person in a close relationship or marriage tries to dominate and
control the other person.
- Uses fear, guilt, shame, threats and physical violence to control you.
- The abuser can be either a man or a woman.

 Social : Sexual violence and rape

- Any sexual act that is unwanted by the other person
- Trying to force someone to have sex with you
- Being forced to watch other people performing sexual acts
- Being forced to perform anal / oral sex
- Penetration with fingers / objects
- Date rape : getting raped by the person you are on a date with
- Gang rape : being raped by more than one person
- Statutory rape : sex with a girl under the age of 16, with or without her consent.

 Sexual harassment
- It is unwanted sexual behaviour that happens again and again. It can take the form of :
- Sexual comments
- Asking about a person’s sex life
- Suggestions and hints about having sex
- Physical contact such as touching, feeling or pinching
- Whistling
- Rude gestures / finger signs
- Sex-related jokes
- Showing pornographic pictures
- Promises of promotion in exchange for sex
- Name-calling
- Spreading untrue stories about someone’s sexual activities
- Sending inappropriate notes, letters, SMSs or emails
- Making obscene phone calls

Negative effects on health and well-being

 Physical effects of abuse
- Bruises
- Broken bones and teeth
- Rope or strap marks
- STIs, HIV and AIDS
- Bald spots where hair has been pulled out
- Burn wounds
- Unwanted pregnancies
- Death
 Emotional effects of abuse

7
[Type here]

- Fear of the abuser - Avoiding friends

- Depression - Feeling worthless and powerless
- Fear for personal safety - Feelings of guilt
- Anger - Sleeplessness and nightmares
- Increased risk of suicide - Being afraid to trust people
- Alcohol and substance abuse - Poor marks at school
- Shame - Dropping out of school
- Difficulty to concentrate

Low self-esteem: Constant belittlement or harm can make individualsfeel worthless and
undeserving of better treatment. Over time, they might internalize this negativity and start believing
it's true.
Anxiety and depression: Living in a state of fear or distress often results in chronic anxiety or
depression. The individual might feel a pervasive sense of sadness or dread, making day-to-day lif
e difficult to navigate.
Trust issues: Abuse, especially from someone close, can shatter a person's ability to trust others.
This can affect their relationships, making it challenging to form or maintain healthy connections.

Career and Career Choices:

Skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled and physical labour

Skilled The workers are highly trained and can

do many kinds of jobs that are within the
range of the competence.
Semi-skilled The workers are trained to do one job
only and usually assist skilled workers
Unskilled These workers have very little or no
training and possess no special skills
Physical labour These workers have no formal
qualifications. Examples : gardening,
offloading of furniture, harvesting fruit,
digging graves / trenches, etc.

Socio-economic factors that influence the job market.

Education: Higher levels of education generally open up more job opportunities and
can lead to better employment prospects and higher wages.
Income Levels: Individuals from higher=income backgrounds often have access to
better education and job opportunities. Conversely, low*income backgrounds can limit
access to these resources.
Economic Policies: Government policies on taxation, welfare, and employment can
significantly influence the job market by either creating or limiting job opportunities.
Demographic Trends: Age, gender, and population growth can affect labor supply.
For example, an aging population may lead to higher demand in healthcare jobs.
Technology:Advances in technology can create new job opportunities in tech
industries but can also lead to job displacement intraditional sectors.
Cultural Norms: Social expectations and cultural practices can influence the types of
jobs considered suitable for different groups, impacting employment opportunities.

Negative consequences of being an unskilled worker.

8
[Type here]

Limited job opportunities:Unskilled workers often have fewer job options available to
them. They might have to take any job they can get, regardless of interest or working
conditions.
Lower wages: Unskilled labour usually comes with lower pay. This can make it hard to
cover basic living expenses, let alone save or invest in the future.
Job insecurity: Positions requiring unskilled labour are often more susceptible to
layoffs, automation, and economic shifts, resulting in higher job instability.
Limited career growth:Without specialized skills, it’s often hard to move up the career
ladder, leading to a stagnation in both personal and professional development.
Less bargaining power: Unskilled workers typically have less leverage in negotiating
better wages or working conditions, as they are often easily replaceable.
Social stigma: There can be a social stigma associated with unskilled work, which
might affect self*esteem and the way individuals are perceived by society.

Staying focused on career goals:

Set Clear Goals:
Define what you want to achieve in specific, measurable terms. This provides a clear di
rection and something concrete to strive for.
Break It Down: Large goals can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller,
manageable tasks. This way, you can celebrate small victories along the way, keeping
motivation high.
Stay Flexible: Life is unpredictable. Be ready to adapt and adjust your plans without
losing sight of your ultimate goal.
Build a Support Network:Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire
you. This network can provide emotional support, advice, and different perspectives
when you hit a rough patch.
Practice Self=Care:Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial. Regular
exercise, healthy eating, adequate rest, and mindfulness can help you stay resilient.
Maintain a Positive Mindset:
Focus on what you can control and learn from setbacks. Positive thinking can significa
ntly influence your ability to persevere.
Keep Learning:
Continually seek out opportunities to improve your skills and knowledge. This not only
boosts your competence but also keeps you engaged and motivated.

Interview skills
An interview is the next step after sending off your application letter and CV. An interview is a
formal meeting between you and the employer / interviewer of the place you applied for the job. Be
careful of what you post on social media because prospective employers may check your profile
before you are invited for an interview.

 How to dress for an interview

1. Make sure your clothes that are neatly ironed and press. Nothing gives away the lack of atten-
tion to detail than wrinkled clothing.
2. Make sure your clothing fits properly. If your pants or sleeves are too long or something is too
loose or too tight you’ll look and probably feel awkward.
3. Don’t wear flashy jewellery. You’ll want the interviewer to pay attention to you, not your bling.
4. Dress according to the season. Don’t wear a stuffy turtleneck sweater in the middle of the
summer.

9
[Type here]

5. Don’t wear perfume or aftershave. You never know if your interviewer is allergic and this isn’t
a good way to find out.
6. Make sure you have a nice, clean haircut that makes you look well groomed.
7. For men, make sure you shave and keep facial hair to a minimum.
8. For women, don’t wear anything that is too revealing. It’s best to keep your body parts inside
your clothing and not be too exposed.
9. Avoid articles of clothing with loud, busy prints. It’s best to wear solid colours that flatter your
skin tone.
10. For women, make sure you wear appropriate lingerie and/or pantyhose underneath your
clothing. This will give you smooth lines and assure you don’t have visible panty lines on your
backside.
11. For women, don’t overdo your makeup. Wear natural colours and avoid heavy eye shadow,
eyeliner and bright coloured lipstick.
12. For pants outfits, make sure you wear a belt that matches the colour of your shoes.

 Interview hints

DO DON’T
Be on time, at least 20 minutes before Arrive late.
interview starts.
Dress neatly. Look untidy.

Keep all documents in a neat file. Smoke.

Smile and try to relax. Chew gum while talking.

Speak clearly. Gossip about your previous manager or

place of work.
Be honest. Use swear words.

Try to remember the names of the Be rude to the interviewers.

interviewers.
Thank them for the interview. Refuse to answer questions.

 Being Unprepared: Showing up without researching the company or the role you're applying
for can make you seem uninterested and unmotivated.
 Arriving Late:Punctuality is crucial. Being late suggests a lack of respect for the interviewer's
time and poor time management skills.
 Inappropriate Attire:Dressing too casually or too formally for the company culture can send
the wrong message about your fit for the organization.
 Poor Body Language: Avoiding eye contact, slouching, or
having a weak handshake can communicate nervousness or lack of confidence.
 Not Listening: Focusing too much on what you plan to say and failing to listen to the
interviewer can lead to missing important questions or cues.
 Rambling:Giving long=winded answers can make you seem unfocused. Aim for clear and con
cise responses.
 Speaking Negatively About Previous Employers: Criticizing past jobs or bosses can make
you come across as unprofessional and difficult to work with.
 Failing to Ask Questions: Not asking any questions at the
end of the interview can suggest a lack of interest or curiosity about the role and company.
10
[Type here]

 Overly Focused on Salary: Bringing up salary and benefits

too early can make it seem like you're only interested in the paycheck, not the job itself.
 Lack of Enthusiasm√: Showing little excitement or passion for the
role can leave a negative impression.

Appropriate Behavior:
 Be professional at all times so that it would be easy for the interviewer to see how
compatible you are to the existing team.
 Pay close attention to your body language/tone of voice so that it is not offensive to
anyone/inappropriate.
 Do not elaborate too much/talk continually as you may give the impression that you are
more of a talker than a doer.
 Do not behave too casually as it may come across as being disrespectful.
 Positive First Impression: It sets the stage for the interviewer to see you as a professional
, respectful, and serious candidate. This can make you stand out among other applicants.
 Demonstrates Suitability: Appropriate behavior,like active listening, clear communication,
and showing enthusiasmdemonstrates that you possess the soft skills necessary for the job
, such as teamwork, adaptability, and leadership.
 Builds Trust: When you behave appropriately, you build trust with’your potential employer.
They are more likely to feel confident in your ability to represent the company positively.
 Reflects on Work Ethic: Proper behavior indicates a strong work ethic and a commitment
to professionalism, suggesting you’ll bring the same approach to the workplace.
 Increases Likelihood of Job Offer: Ultimately, employers want to hire someone who not
Only has the right qualifications but also fits well with their company culture. Appropriate
behavior makes it more likely that you’ll receive a job offer.
 Creates Networking Opportunities: Even if you don’t get the job, leaving a good
impression can lead to future opportunities. The interviewer might remember your
professionalism and recommend you for other positions or refer you to colleagues.

11