Social
institutions can be described as activities that show some degree of regularity
based on similar concepts. More precisely, a social organization is an
interrelated set of social roles and social expectations, structured around a
significant social need or social need to be fulfilled.
In general, a
social institution is an established pattern of behavior that is organized to
perpetuate the welfare of society and to preserve its form. From the above
definition, we can observe that social institutions have got some important
functions. Three of such main functions are:
- Perpetuation of the welfare of society;
- Preservation and maintenance of the form of society;
- Meeting the major needs of the members of society.
A society is
functionally integrated and held together by social institutions. Social
institutions are universal. They differ in terms of sophistication,
specialization, distance, formality and organization, from time to time and
across cultures. But everywhere, their basic essence and purpose are identical.
These attributes are particularly valid with respect to the five main social
institutions discussed below. Social institutions are immune to alteration;
they appear to endure. However, if a transition happens in a social system in
particular, it often appears to affect the other institutions.
Major Forms and Functions of Social Institutions
There are
several values around which institutions are organized. Of major importance,
the five social institutions are:
- Economic institutions: those that deal with economic and property relations;
- Polity and law: Those that are concerned with social control with politics and law government, the police, court, etc.;
- Religious institutions: Those concerned with the supernatural magic and religion;
- Family: those based on principles of kinship, meaning, social relations created by descent and marriage;
- Educational institutions: those that deal with the need for training individuals in the roles, values, skills, knowledge, attitudes etc which are associated with being a citizen and a worker.
Two forms of
social role are conducted by each organization. There are: (a) primary
functions, also known as manifest, explicit, or direct functions; and (b) secondary
functions, also known as indirect, secret, or latent functions. In these roles,
social institutions of society address critical needs. The main roles are as
follows for the five big social institutions.
The Family
In every
society, the family is the most significant social unit. It is the building
block of every civilization. Two fundamental functions are performed by the
kin. Reproduction and socialization are these. Society, through the family,
reproduces or recreates itself. In order to enter the culture, children are
born in the household. Parents play the roles of loving, caring for, educating
and teaching children; the roles of successful and teachable trainees are
required to be fulfilled by children. According to the type of family
organization, the way parents cultivate, educate and care for their children
varies. In new, developed and metropolitan cultures, the nuclear family is
the dominant form of family organization. Typically, it consists of a partner
and minor children. Extruded family types prevail in traditional,
agrarian and agricultural cultures. It is made up of a husband, wife, children
and other relatives.
Economic Institution
Each society
wants to make good use of resources that are scarce. To satisfy basic needs
such as food, clothes, housing, etc., products and services have to be
generated. The organization of the production, trade, delivery and use of goods
and services is the responsibility of economic institutions.
Religious Institution
It is the
duty of this social organization to fulfill (provide) the spiritual needs of
the people of society. Issues regarding the nature of human being, human fate,
the cosmos, and other questions are puzzling. Religion and associated
institutions, such as sorcery, explain these puzzling paradoxes of creation and
offer sense and reason for life. It encourages individuals to struggle with
purposelessness, meaninglessness, and a feeling of dissatisfaction and
loneliness. These institutions often encourage members of society to align with
societal standards and norms and to properly fulfill their intended social
roles. Among members of society, they also have a sense of social unity. For a
lot of individuals:
- Apparently unanswerable questions regarding the nature of life and death, religious traditions offer the answers;
- Religion is a faith and worship system.
Political Institution (Government and Law)
It is the
duty of these social institutions to defend society from internal disorder,
criminality and anarchy, as well as external challenges and invasions. At micro
and macro levels, they are accountable for preserving law and order;
implementing social control; and maintaining society's health and well-being.
Educational Institution
It is the
duty of this social organization to offer instruction for members of society.
It serves as the hub of development, trade, and dissemination of information.
Generally, educational institutions are responsible for the dissemination of
material and non-material communities vertically and horizontally. Vertical
transmission means from one generation to another generation over time, where
horizontal transmission means geographical space or from one culture to
another. Educational organizations often play the role of training members of
society for the positions and tasks associated with becoming good people and
employers and having diverse professions.
It is
important to note that while the above way of describing the essence and role
of social structures is often prevalent in some of the mainstream textbooks in
introductory sociology, we still need to look at them in a critical and
conflict theory approach before finishing this section. Through these views,
social institutions in a society may be functional for some and ineffective for
other persons and classes. This is partially because, in the sense of class
division and social stratification, disproportionate access to power and wealth
always occurs and functions. From this point of view, for all members of
society, social systems cannot be similarly efficient. The rights and
privileges of those parts of society can be supported by them.
Characteristics of Social Institutions
- The conduct of men is governed by institutions such as faith, morals, the state, administration, law, legislation, etc.
- These maintain, and give stability to, the social order.
- Institutions are interrelated and interdependent, even though they are diverse. These are related by individual rank and responsibilities.
- There are also institutions that are rigid and robust. Normally, entities should not experience abrupt or rapid changes. Changes take shape in them, slowly and steadily.
- Institutions include representations of history. Either material or non-material can be the representations. A country has a flag as its symbol, an icon, a national anthem. A school should have a flag of its own, uniform wear, etc.
- Global services and material artifacts are accessible to entities that are a community of persons. Buildings, furniture, books and other objects are part of organizations and are part of social life.
- Social institutions are patterns of behaviors clustered in society around the central needs of human beings.
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Inter-RelationAmong Institutions - Sociology
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