Social Institutions In Society: The Social Institution Of The Family

We often think what social institutions have to do with our life? The answer is, a lot! The makeup of our family, the laws we follow,our professional career, our schooling, and even whether or not we believe in a higher poweretc, are all based on the social institutions in our society. We begin our life among family, and learn about the world through educational institutions (schools), religious institutions (including rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death), and cultural institutions. Much of our education is about preparing for life within structured economic institutions (jobs, the labour market). All the while, our public life, and even our private one, is moved and shaped by the workings of political institutions. Thus our entire life in which we are constantly interacting is surrounded by social institutions. The sociological definition of social institutions is “Social institutions are a system of behavioural and relationship patterns that are densely interwoven and enduring, and function across an entire society.” Social Institutions are generally patterns of norms that define behaviour in social relationship. They define how people ought to behave and legitimate the sanctions applied to behaviour. They define the broad rather than detailed conditions of balancing of

The important features are as follows:-

Stable position and relatively permanent structure: Institutions normally do not undergo sudden or rapid changes. Changes take place slowly and gradually in them. Many institutions are rigid and enduring. They, in course of time, become the conservative elements in society. Example - caste, religion etc. But under the pressure or circumstances they also undergo changes.

Satisfaction of specific needs: Each institution satisfies some specific needs. For example, the family meets the need for controlling the reproductive function, socialising children and providing economic security to its