Vidarbha Youth Welfare Society’s

Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research

Badnera, Amravati (M.S.) 444701

Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati

Department of Information Technology

Course Name : Social Sciences & Engineering Economics

Course Code: [4IT05]
UNIT 3: Outline

1. Impact of Science and Technology on Culture and Civilization

a. What is Culture? It’s Characteristics
b. What is Civilization? It’s Characteristics

2. Human Society, Community and Groups

a. What is Society? It’s Characteristics
b. What is Community? It’s Characteristics
c. What is Group? Types of Groups

3. Marriage and Family: Functions, Types & Problems

What is Culture ?

▪ Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs,

values, attitudes etc. acquired by a group of people in the course of generations
through individual and group striving

▪ It encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language,
marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table,
how we greet visitors etc.

▪ The word CULTURE derives from the Latin word COLERE, which means to
Cultivate and Nurture.

▪ Culture is a heritage in which a child is born. It is acquired by man as a

member of society and continue to exist through tradition.

▪ Thus, culture is a system of learned behavior shared and transmitted among

the members of the group. Culture is basically our way of life !
Characteristics of Culture:

1. Culture is Acquired:

▪ Culture is an acquired quality or behavior. It is not biologically inherited but

learnt socially by individuals. Human beings learn or acquire culture by living
in group. He learns it from society through education.

2. Culture is Social:

▪ Culture is not individual but social in nature. Hence, it develops through social
interaction which is shared by all. Without social interaction or social relations
it is very difficult and almost impossible to be cultured.

3. Culture is Transmissive:

▪ Culture is transmitted from one generation to another. It passes from parents to

children and so on. This transmission is a continuous and spontaneous process.
Characteristics of Culture:
4. Culture is Shared:

▪ Culture is not possessed by a single or a few individual. Culture is shared by

majority of individuals. Hence, culture is collective in nature. For Example:
Polytheism is our culture. It means majority of Indians believe in polytheism.

5. Culture is Idealistic:

▪ Culture is idealistic in nature. Because it embodies the ideals, values and

norms of the group. It sets ideal goals before individuals which is worth
attaining. Culture is the sum of ideals and values of individuals in society.

6. Culture is Accumulative:

▪ Culture is not created in one day or one year. It gradually accumulates through
centuries. Beliefs, art, morals, knowledge are gradually stored up and became
part of culture. Hence, culture is the social heritage.
Characteristics of Culture:

7. Culture is Adaptive:

▪ Culture possesses adaptive capacity. Different aspects of culture adapt with

new environment or challenges posed by social and physical environment.

8. Culture is Dynamic:

▪ Culture is variable and changeable. It is not static. It changes from society to

society. Because each and every society has its own culture. It also varies
within a society since, ways of living of people of a particular society varies
from time to time.

9. Culture is Communicative:

▪ Culture is based on symbol and it communicates through different symbols.

Common ideas and social heritage etc. are communicated from one generation
to another. This communication became possible through language.
What is Civilization ?

▪ A Civilization is a complex human society, usually made up of different cities,

with certain characteristics of cultural and technological development.

▪ In many parts of the world, early civilizations are formed when people began
coming together in urban settlements. Indus Civilization, also called Indus
valley civilization or Harappan civilization, is the earliest known civilization
of the Indian subcontinent.

▪ A civilization is generally an advanced stage of organization. That means it

has laws, culture, a regular way of getting food and protecting the people.
Most civilizations have agriculture and also, a system of government like
monarchs or elections

▪ The word CIVILIZATION relates to the Latin word CIVITAS or CITY. This is
why the most basic definition of the word Civilization is a society made up of
cities.
Characteristics of Civilization:

1. Advanced Cities:

As farmers settled in the fertile river valley, they began to grow surplus or extra
food. This extra food increased the population of the settlement that led to the
formation of cities. A city is usually a center for trade, and city dwellers create
goods that can be traded along with services for the city.

2. Organized Central Government Definition:

The growing population of cities made government or a system of ruling

necessary. Leaders emerged to maintain order and establish laws. Governments
began to oversee the business or running and maintaining the cities.

All civilizations have a system of government to direct people’s behavior and

make life orderly. They also make and enforce laws, collect taxes, and protect its
citizens.
Characteristics of Civilization:

3. Religions: Religions are developed to explain the forces of nature and their
roles in the world. People believed that gods and goddesses were important to
the community's success. To win their favor, priests (religious leaders)
supervised rituals (traditions) aimed at pleasing them.

4. Social Structure:

As jobs became specialized so did the status and need for certain individuals. For
instance, the need for a knowledgeable and educated religious leader was more
respected than an unskilled worker.

5. Writing, Art and Architecture:

Records were needed to keep account on trade goods and food storage. Writing
was needed because the information became too great. All civilizations have a
highly developed culture including the arts. Arts include creative forms of
expression such as painting, architecture, literature, and music.
Comparison between Culture and Civilization:

▪ Civilization is a bigger unit than Culture because, it is a complex aggregate of

the society that dwells within a certain area, along with its forms of
government, norms, and even culture. Thus, Culture is just a portion of an
entire Civilization.

▪ A Culture ordinarily exists within a Civilization. In this regard, each

Civilization can contain not only one but several cultures.

▪ Culture can exist in itself whereas, civilization cannot be called a Civilization

if it does not possess a certain culture. Hence, a civilization will become empty
if it does not have its culture, no matter how little it is.

▪ Culture is the set of values that shapes the behavior of the society at different
levels while Civilization is apparent in the physical development in form of
man-made environment.

▪ Culture is the Mind of Society and Civilization is the Body.

SN SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
1 Science refers to the process of Technology refers to the process of
exploring new knowledge methodically applying scientific knowledge in
through observation and experiments. practical applications for various
purposes.
2 It focuses on process of gathering data. It focuses on effect of taking action.
3 Science refers to a continuous process Technology refers to the continuous
of exploring knowledge. process of implementing knowledge.
4 Science is always useful. Technology can be useful or harmful.
5 Science does not change continuously. Technology changes continuously.
6 It always gives emphasize on discovery It gives emphasize on invention.
7 The moto is knowing something. The moto is doing something.
Impact of Science and Technology on Culture & Civilization

Science and Technology affects society greatly. Following are few impacts of
Science and Technology on Culture and Civilization:

▪ Scientific discoveries and inventions have significant impact on the human

living. They have revolutionized every aspect of our life. Scientific inventions
have made our life more luxurious and made our work more easy and less time
consuming

▪ Mechanization has changed not only the economic structure of society but has
also led to a steady reduction of old norms of social organizations and old
ideologies. Technology changes society by changing our environments to
which we in turn adapt. Our attitudes, beliefs and traditions have changed due
to the technological advance.

▪ Industries have destroyed the domestic system of production. It brought

women from home to the factory and the office, and distinguished their
earnings.
Impact of Science and Technology on Culture & Civilization

▪ Ancient agricultural practices have seen a radical change with the

mechanization of agriculture. Such mechanization simply means that machines
and technological systems have replaced ancient farming systems such as
work animals and manual labor. This has resulted in more automated, highly
efficient farm practices, producing far more abundant food resources for more
people.

▪ The changes in the means of communication all have affected the social life
greatly. Communication is important factor determining our social life. From
using bird messages to the faster, more efficient, more effective, and more
global system of email, phone calls, and app messaging allows for people to
stay connected in a globalized world.

▪ It is highly feasible for people to travel the world and stay connected, and even
possible for remote workers or international businesses to utilize video calls
and conference calls via the Internet to keep their businesses going without
interruption.
Impact of Science and Technology on Culture & Civilization

▪ The press has influenced entertainment, education, politics and trade.

Similarly, the invention of TV, Radio, telegraph and telephone has influenced
the business recreation, public opinion and further the development of new
modes of organization

▪ The changes in the mode of transport have affected our social relationships.
The advent of trains, buses, cars, airplanes, speed boats, etc. has made it
feasible for people to travel to and from their required destination in much less
time.

▪ Transportation has assisted in the progress of the sense of universal

brotherhood. Transportation along with the printing press as devices have
lessened cultural isolation and paved, the way for cultural uniformity

▪ Science & technology have narrowed the gap of caste system. With the growth
of science and technology the role of superstitions has decreased. Religion has
now became more secular and scientific !
Impact of Science and Technology on Culture & Civilization

▪ In the modern world, learning is as easy as utilizing a Google search or

YouTube video to learn virtually any skill that one needs to succeed, whether it
be a new language, a programming language, a technical skill, or an obscure
part of history. As opposed to having to learn from printed paper books, now
e-books and even online seminars allow people to learn in a faster, more
efficient fashion

▪ In this way, technological changes have affected social values and norms. The
modern science and technology has changed the family organization and
relations. It has led decline of community life and grown the sense of
individuals.

▪ Along with these positive impacts, Science and Technology have negative
impacts as well. Few of them are depletion of natural resources, increasing
pollution and increasing health concerns due to sedentary life style etc.
Human Society
▪ Society is a group of people with common territory, interaction and culture.
It consists of two or more people who interact and identify with one another.

▪ In sociological terms, Society refers to a group of people who live in a

definable territory and share the same culture. On a broader scale, Society
consists of the people and institutions around us, our shared beliefs and our
cultural ideas.

▪ The term SOCIETY has been derived from the Latin word SOCIUS which
means a Companion, Association or Fellowship

▪ A Society is a process rather than structure. Society is a web of social

relationships

▪ These relationships are not of same kind. Some of them are simple and some
are complex. Some are permanent while one of temporary. When individuals
come to know each other, the element of society is created.
Human Society
▪ According to F. H. Giddings "a number of like-minded individuals who know
and enjoys their like-mindedness and are, therefore, able to work together for
common and form a society”

▪ Society can be also defined as a system of usages, procedure authority, a

mutual aid of many groupings and divisions of control of human behaviors
and of liberties. Thus, society is both a structural and functional organization.

▪ It consists in mutual interaction and mutual inter-relations of the individuals.

It is also a structure formed by these relations.

▪ Culture and Society are intricately related. A culture consists of the “objects”
of a society, whereas a Society consists of the people who share a common
Culture.

▪ Society is ABSTRACT, not CONCRETE, in nature. We can’t touch it but feel

it. Because, Society resides in the minds of an individual.
Characteristics of Society
1. Similarity or Likeness:

▪ The principal of ‘likeness’ is essential for Society. It exists among the people
have similarities with regards to their needs, work, aims, ideals, values and so
on. These similarities inspire the people to interact and like each other and live
together. Hence, mutual intimacy, co-operation, love and affection, sympathy,
sacrifice and feeling of oneness among people develops. Similarly, the people
of same nature and behavior live together in society.

2. Differences in Society:

▪ Likeness and differences are two faces of the same coin. Therefore, we see
natural differences among people in their interest, ability, talent, attitude,
intelligence and so on. Thus, we find farmers, labors, teachers, soldiers,
businessmen, advocates, doctors, engineers and other working in different
capacities. Maclver and Page said that Primary likeness and Secondary
differences are the chief features of human society
Characteristics of Society
3. Interdependence:

▪ Interdependence is another characteristic of society. An individual seeks the

satisfaction of his wants and the fulfillment of his goals with the co-operation
of others. For ex: Family is a primary institution is based on interdependence
of members. With the growth of civilization and industrialization the need of
interdependence has increased, today not only individuals are interdependent
but even communities are also interdependent.

4. Co-operation and Division of Labor:

▪ Human Society is essentially based on co-operation and division of labor. Due

to the feeling of co-operation people share their joys and sorrows. The division
of labor depends on peoples interest, ability, gender and age etc. Due to
division of labor in various fields task are performed more efficiently. In
modern society, skilled and specialized persons have more importance, thus
co-operative and division of labor are reciprocal.
Characteristics of Society
5. Society is a Web of Social Relations:

▪ Social relation means the reciprocal contact between two or more persons.
Social relationships have a wide range. Ex: teacher-student, parent-children,
patient-doctor and so on. One individual enters into several social relationships
at the same time. Maclver and Page point out that “society exists only where
social beings behave towards one another in ways determined by their
recognition of one another.” Thus, society is a web of social relations.

6. Liberty

▪ The individual and society cannot develop, if there are no liberties to balance
the restrictions. For the development of society liberty is essential. In all the
civilized societies people have the freedom to get education, choose a desired
profession, think independently arid express their thoughts in an appropriate
manner.
Characteristics of Society
7. Social Control:

▪ The behaviour or the activities of people are to be regulated. Society has

various formal as well as informal means of social control. Informal means
consist of customs, traditions, manners, etiquettes etc. Also, it has law,
legislation, constitution, police, court, army and other formal means of social
control to regulate the behaviour of its members.

8. Society is Dynamic:

▪ No society can ever remain constant for length of time. Old men die and new
ones are born. New associations and institutions may come into being and old
ones may die a natural death.

▪ The existing ones may undergo changes to suit the demands of time. Changes
may take place slowly and gradually or suddenly and abruptly
Characteristics of Society
9. Permanent Nature:

▪ Permanency is another important characteristic of society. It is not a temporary

organisation of individuals. Society continues to exist even after the death of
individual members.

10. Comprehensive Culture:

▪ Culture is another important characteristics of society. Each and every society

has its own culture which distinguishes it from others. Culture is the way of
life of members of society and includes their art, values, beliefs, morals etc.

11. Something more than mere collection of individuals:

▪ No doubt society consists of individuals. But, mere collection of individuals is

not society. It is something more than that and something beyond the
individual. Society is more than the sum of its parts (i.e. individuals)
Community
▪ A Community is a small or large group of people who have something in
common such as norms, religion, language, caste, customs, profession, values
or identity. Therefore, homogeneity acts as a core element in a community.

▪ According to Bogardus, a community is a social group with some degree of

‘we-feeling’ and living in a given areas

▪ Communities are often situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country,

village, town or neighborhood) or in virtual space through communication
platforms.

▪ The word Community has been derived from two words of latin namely ‘com’
and ‘munis.’ In English ‘com’ means together and ‘munis’ means to serve.
Thus, community means ‘to serve together’

▪ Although communities are usually small (micro-level), it may also refer to

large group affiliations (macro-level), such as national communities,
international communities and virtual communities.
Community
▪ Community is a social group of individuals living in a given area and having a
degree of common feeling. A person cannot exist alone. He is linked in many
ways to his fellows who form a group.

▪ Social living and common purpose give rise to Community. Some of the
definitions of Community are as follows:
a. An area of social living marked by some degree of Social Coherence
b. A Community is a cluster of people living within a continuous small
area who share a common way of life.
c. A Community is that collectively the members of which share a
common territorial area as their base of operation for daily activities.

▪ From these definitions of community we find that community is related with a

specific geography and a common social life is shared by its members
Characteristics of Community
1. A Group of People:

▪ It is the most fundamental or essential characteristic of Community. Because,

without a group of people we can’t think of a Community

▪ When a group of people live together and share a common life and is bound by
a strong sense of Community Consciousness at that moment a Community is
formed. Hence, a group of people is the first pre-requisites of Community

2. A Definite Locality:

▪ A Community is a territorial group. A group of people alone can’t form a

Community. A group of people forms a community only when they reside in a
definite territory

▪ A group of people like nomadic people may change their habitations. But,
majority community is settled and a strong bond of unity and solidarity is
derived from their living in a definite locality
Characteristics of Community
3. Community Sentiment:

▪ Without community sentiment a community can’t be formed only with a group

of people and a definite locality. Community sentiment refers to a strong sense
of a ‘we-feeling’ (a feeling of belonging together) among the members

▪ It refers to a sentiment of common living that exists among the members of a

locality. Because of common living within an area for a long time a
community sentiment is created among the members of that area. With this the
members emotionally identify themselves. This emotional identification of the
members distinguishes them from the members of other community

4. Permanence:

▪ Community is always a permanent group. It refers to a permanent living of

individuals within a definite territory. It is not temporary like that of a crowd
or association.
Characteristics of Community
5. Similarity:

▪ The members of a community are similar in a number of ways. Among the

members, similarity in language, culture, customs and traditions and in many
other things is observed. These similarities are responsible for the development
of community sentiment.

6. Naturality:

▪ A community is not deliberately or purposively created. It is a spontaneous or

natural growth. An individual is born in a Community and he can develop by
the virtue of the Community

7. Total Organized Social Life:

▪ A community is marked by total organized social life. It means a community

includes all aspects of social life. Hence, it is a Society in miniature.
Characteristics of Community
8. A Particular Name:

▪ Every community has a particular name by which it is known to the world.

Members of a community are also identified by that name. For Ex: Based on
the linguistic condition people living in Odisha are called Odia; living in
Kashmiri culture are called Kashmiris.

9. Size of Community:

▪ A Community may be big or small. Village is an example of a small

community whereas, a nation is an example of a big community. Both the type
of community are essential to the full development of human life.

10. Concrete Nature:

▪ A Community is Concrete in nature. As it refers to a group of people living in

a particular locality we can see its existence. Hence, it is concrete.
Society Vs Community
The term Society and Community are two important concept used in Sociology.
There exists both a similarity as well as differences between the two. But in a
wider sense both Society and Community is a social group.

However, following differences is observed between the two:

▪ A group of individual is necessary for both Society and Community. But

society refers to a system or network of relationships that exists among these
individuals. Whereas, Community refers to a group of individual living within
a definite locality with some degree of we-feeling.

▪ A definite geographical area is not necessary for Society. But a definite

geographical area is essential for Community. It is bound by territorial units.

▪ Community Sentiment is an essential characteristic of Community. Without

which a community can’t be constituted. But, a Society may or may not have
community sentiment.
Society Vs Community
▪ Society is abstract whereas Community is concrete in nature. Community has
its own physical existence but Society exists only in the minds of individuals
who constitute it.

▪ Society has high diversity among members; hence, it is heterogeneous

whereas, Community has minimum diversity among its members and hence, it
is rather homogeneous.

▪ Society is a broader concept whereas a Community is narrower concept.

Because, there exists more than one community within a society. Hence,
Community is smaller than Society.

▪ Society is based on both similarities as well as differences. But community is

based on only similarities among its members.

▪ Size of a community may be small (like a village community) or big (like a

nation community) but the size of a Society is always large.
Groups
▪ Human being is a social animal. His day-to-day life is made up largely of
participating in groups. A group consists of two or more people who regularly
interact and who share a common identity.

▪ It is easy to see from this definition that we all belong to many types of
groups: our families, friendship groups, workplaces, clubs and organizations to
which we belong etc

▪ Bogardus defines group as, ‘a number of persons (two or more) who have
some common objects of attention, who are stimulating to each other, who
have common loyalty and participate in similar activities’

▪ MacIver and Page define group as ‘any collection of human beings who are
brought into human relationships with one another’

▪ According to Marshal Jones a group is ‘two or more people between whom

there is an established pattern of interactions’
Characteristics of Group
1. Collection of Individuals:

▪ Without individuals there can be no group. Just as we cannot have a college or

a university without students and teachers, we cannot have a group in the
absence of people.

2. Interaction among Members:

▪ Social interaction is the very basis of group life. Mere collection of individuals
does not make a group. The members must have interaction. It is in fact a
system of social interaction.

3. Mutual Awareness:

▪ Group life involves mutual awareness. Group members are aware of one
another and their behaviour is determined by this mutual recognition.
Characteristics of Group
4. We-Feeling:

▪ It refers to the tendency on the part of members to identify themselves with the
groups. It represents group unity. We-feeling creates sympathy in and fosters
co-operation among members. It helps group members to defend their interest
collectively.

5. Group Unity & Solidarity:

▪ Group members are tied by the sense of unity. The solidarity or integration of
group is largely dependent upon the frequency, variety and emotional quality
of the interactions of its members.

▪ A family or a friends group or a religious group is highly united and

integrated, because its members are related by common interests and have
frequent social contacts with one another. They express high degree of morale
and loyalty. Unity is maintained more often by conscious effort
Characteristics of Group
6. Common Interests:

▪ Groups are mostly formed or established for the fulfillment of certain interests.
Form of group differs depending upon the common interests of the groups.
Hence, there are political groups, religious groups, educational groups etc.

7. Similar Behaviour:

▪ The members of the group behave in more or less similar way for the pursuit
of common interests. Social groups represent collective behaviour

8. Group Norms:

▪ Every group has its own rules or norms which the members are supposed to
follow. These norms may be in the form of customs, traditions, laws etc. They
may be written or unwritten. Every group has its own ways and means of
punishing or correcting those who go against the rules.
Characteristics of Group
9. Size of the Group:

▪ Social groups vary in size. A group may be as small as that of family or as big
as that of a political party having lakhs of members

10. Groups are Dynamic:

▪ Groups are not static. They are subject to change whether slow or rapid.
Whether due to internal or external forces, groups undergo changes

11. Stability:

▪ Groups are stable or unstable; permanent or temporary in character. Some

groups like crowd, audience are temporary and unstable. But, many groups are
permanent and stable in character.
Types of Group
On the basis of nature and quality of social interactions groups have been
classified into Primary and Secondary. This classification depends on the nature
of social contact and the degree of intimacy among the members

A) Primary Group

▪ The concept of primary group is given by C. H. Cooley. The primary groups

are found in all the societies. It is the nucleus of all social organizations. It is a
small group in which small number of persons come into direct contact with
one another. These persons meet face-to-face for mutual help, companionship
and discussions of common questions.

▪ These groups are primary in the sense that they play fundamental role in
forming the social nature and ideals of the individuals. Primary groups are
universal groups functioning in all states of cultural development. They are the
chief basis of what is universal in human nature and human ideals.
Example: Family, friends, playmates, neighbourhood etc.
Types of Group
B) Secondary Group

▪ The Secondary groups are almost opposite of primary groups. The social
groups other than primary groups may be termed as Secondary Groups. They
are residual category. Their appearance is mainly due to the growing cultural
complexity

▪ Primary groups are found predominantly in societies where life is relatively

simple. With the expansion in population and territory of society, interests
become diversified and other types of relationships (which can be termed as
secondary) become necessary

▪ The members of this group are numerous and too scattered to conduct their
business through face-to-face relationships. Specially selected person must act
on behalf of all. The great corporation, the factory, the army, labour union, a
university, a nation wide political party are the examples of Secondary Groups
Difference between Primary & Secondary Groups
SN Primary Groups Secondary Groups
1 These are characterized by face-to-face It provides experience of lacking in
relationships Ex: family, community, intimacy Ex: corporation, city, factory,
neighbourhood etc political parties etc
2 Social relations are direct in nature Social relations are indirect in nature
3 These are smaller in size These are relatively bigger in size
4 Groups are confined to a small Groups are not characterized by a
geographical area physical area
5 Since, members stay together Since, members are spread over vast
communication is quick and effective area, communication is difficult
6 Group structure is very informal. Group structure is formal. The group is
Members are not particular about their regulated by set of rules. Statuses, roles,
rights and power or status and prestige rights and powers are well defined
7 The group has a long lasting influence The impact is rather limited
upon the personality development of
the members
Marriage
▪ Marriage is one of the most ancient, important, universal and indispensable
social institution which has been in existence since the inception of human
civilization

▪ Marriage is a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man

and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs and attitudes
that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their
offspring (if any)

▪ Marriage is defined as an institution for admitting men and women into family
life, legitimating off-spring and establishing other rights and obligations of
husband, wife and children

▪ It can have very different implications in different cultures. Its purposes,

functions and forms may differ from society to society, but it is present
everywhere as an institution
Characteristics of Marriage
▪ Marriage is a universal social institution. It is found in almost all societies and
at all stages of development.

▪ Marriage is a social bond between husband and wife. It is designed to fulfill

social, psychological, biological and religious aims

▪ Marriage requires social approval. The relationship between men and women
must have social approval. Without which marriage is not valid. It gets social
recognition through some ceremony which is concluded in public

▪ Marriage establishes family. Family helps in providing facilities for the

procreation and upbringing of children

▪ It imposes certain rights and duties on both husband and wife. Both fulfill their
mutual obligations on the basis of customs or rules

▪ Marriage has certain symbols like ring, vermillion, special clothes etc.
Functions of Marriage
▪ The most important function of a marriage is to establish the family. The
institution of marriage also enables the society to assign to the parents their
responsibility of socializing the child by transforming social customs and
social regulations.

▪ Marriage brings life-partners together and helps them to develop love and
affection towards each other. It deepens the emotions and strengthens the
companionship between the two. It also helps to develop intellectual co-
operation between them

▪ Partners of marriage distribute and divide work among themselves and

perform them to satisfy the economic needs of the family members. Both
husband and wife remain engaged in economic activities through the
institution of marriage for the economic upliftment of the family.

▪ Marriage brings together not only two individuals but also their respective
families. Friendship between groups is reinforced through marriage.
Functions of Marriage
▪ The institution of marriage educates the young to be responsible future parents
to pass culture from one generation to another.

▪ Marriage provides the framework within which people’s needs (shelter, food,
clothing, safety etc.) are met. Through the institution of marriage, people know
for whom they are economically and socially responsible.

▪ Marriages between different groups, castes, races, classes, religious, linguistic

and other communities, can minimize the social distance between groups and
strengthen the social solidarity.
Types of Marriage
The main types of marriage are: Monogamy, Polygyny and Polyandry. Each of
these types are explained as follows:

1. Monogamy:

▪ Monogamy is a form of marriage in which one man marries one woman at a

given time. It is most common form of marriage found among in the societies
around the world.

▪ Monogamy is universally practiced providing marital opportunity and

satisfaction to all the individuals. It promotes love and affection between
husband and wife.

▪ It contributes to family peace, solidarity and happiness. Monogamous

marriage is stable and long lasting. Monogamous marriage gives greater
attention to the socialization of their children.

▪ Ancient Jews, Christians and Indians had given importance to monogamy

Types of Marriage
2. Polygyny:

▪ Polygyny is a form of marriage in which one man married more than one
woman at a given time.

▪ Polygyny is more popular than polyandry but not as universal as Monogamy.

It was a common practice in ancient civilizations. At present it may be present
in primitive tribes like Crow Indians, Baigas and Gonds of India.

3. Polyandry:

▪ Polyandry is the marriage of one woman with more than one husband at a time

▪ It is practiced among the Marquesan Islanders of Polynesia, The Bahama of

Africa and tribes of Samoa. In India among tribes of Toda, Kota, Khasa and
Ladakhi Bota it is still prevalent.
Types of Marriage
Problems of Marriage
1. Lower Status of Women

▪ Woman do not enjoy equal rights with men in the social, political religious and
economic field. Before marriage woman depends on her father and after
marriage she depends on her husband and in old age on her sons.

2. Dowry System

▪ Another important problem of marriage in India is the commercialization of

marriage which is dowry system. Father of daughter commits suicide because
he has not been able to give the downy demanded by the parents of the boy.

3. Widows and Widowhood

▪ In majority of marriages end with the death of one of the partners. Generally
the male marries with young girls who are much junior to him in age. When
the difference of age between is greater, girl becomes widow earlier.
Problems of Marriage
4. Increasing Divorce

▪ Commercialization of services has freed men and women from depending on

the home for meals, clothing, and recreation. The divorce rate has been going
up. Divorce is taking place due to decay of social values and less social
protection.

5. Child Marriages

▪ It is a marriage where either the woman is below the age of 18 or the man is
below the age of 21. Most child marriages involve underage women, many of
whom are in poor socio-economic conditions. It has worse physical effect on
the girl. The child marriage has much to do with high death rate among girls.
Family
▪ Family is an intimate domestic group made up of people related to one another
by ties of marriage, blood or adoption.

▪ It is the smallest and most basic social unit, which is also the most important
primary group found in any society.

▪ Family is the simplest and most elementary group found in a society. It is a

social group consisting of a father, mother and one or more children. It is the
most immediate group a child is exposed to.

▪ It has tremendous influence on the life of an individual, from birth until death.
It also accounts for the most enduring social relationship found in society.

▪ All societies both large and small, primitive and civilized, ancient and modern,
have some form of family. The family is a central and a nuclear component of
the society
Family
The meaning of family can be explained better by the following definitions:

▪ Family is more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without
child or of a man or woman alone, with children

▪ Family is a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption

constituting single household interacting and intercommunicating with each
other in their respective social roles of husband and wife, father and mother,
son and daughter, brother and sister, creating a common culture

▪ Family is the biological social unit composed of husband, wife and children
Characteristics of Family
▪ Family is an universal group. It is found in some form or the other, in all types
of societies whether primitive or modern.

▪ Family is based on marriage, which results in a relationship between husband

and wife.

▪ A system of nomenclature: Every family is recognized by a distinctive name

▪ A way of tracing the descent: Every family has its own mode of tracing the
descent. Descent refers to the social recognition of biological relationships
between individuals

▪ Family is the most important group in any individual’s life.

▪ Family is the most basic and important group in primary socialization of an

individual.

▪ A family is generally limited in size, even large, joint and extended families.
Characteristics of Family
▪ The family is the most important group in society; it is the nucleus of all
institutions, organizations and groups.

▪ Family is based on emotions and sentiments.

▪ Family provides for the satisfaction of the economic needs of its members

▪ Each member of family shares duties and responsibilities

▪ Every family is made up of husband and wife, and/or one or more children,
both natural and adopted.

▪ Each family is made up of different social roles, like those of husband, wife,
mother, father, children, brothers or sisters
Functions of Family
As a social group and as an important social institution, family performs various
functions that are as follows:

▪ Family is a unit through which procreation takes place. Marriage establishes a

family, which is further reinforced with the birth of children.

▪ The process of reproduction is institutionalized, regulated and controlled in a

family. The family legitimizes the act of reproduction.

▪ Family helps in propagation of human species and perpetuation of human race.

▪ Family provides an individual with an identity. It is through the family that

every family name is carried on from one generation to another.

▪ Family is responsible for the production and upbringing of children. It is also

traditionally responsible for the education of the children.

▪ A family fulfills the economic needs of its members.

Functions of Family
▪ Family is an important agent of socialization. The primary socialization of any
individual takes place within the family. The immediate family members teach
all the basic rules and norms of social life to a child.

▪ Family is also an important agent of cultural transmission. Culture is

transmitted from one generation to another through family. All the aspects of
culture are learnt within the family structure.

▪ Family is a great source of strength, emotional and psychological, for its

members. All the members are aware that they can depend upon their family in
the times of need

▪ Family provides an individual with a home, and establishes enduring social

relationships.

▪ The family is the basis of division of labour, where all members have their
duties and obligations towards each other.
Functions of Family
▪ Family also has a recreational function. Earlier, most recreation was family
based. Family gatherings during festivals, functions, family reunions,
marriages, brought entire families together. Now-a-days, taking family
members out on holidays or for movies, plays, dinners, or parties, etc.,
perform the same function.
Types of Family
On the basis of size and structure or according to the number of members family
may be classified into two types such as (i) Nuclear family and (ii) Joint family

1. Nuclear Family:

▪ A nuclear family is a family which consists of husband, wife and their

unmarried children. The size of nuclear family is very small.

▪ There is no control of the elders because newly weds crate a separate residence
for themselves which is independent of elders. It is also known as primary
family. Nuclear family can be further divided into following two types such as:
(a) The Family of orientation and (b) The Family of procreation.

▪ The family in which an individual is born and socialized is known as the

family of orientation. It consists of father, mother, brother and sister. On the
other hand the family of procreation refers to the family established by the
person through marriage. It consist of husband, wife their sons and daughters.
Types of Family
2. Joint Family:

▪ The joint family is also known as ‘undivided family’ or ‘extended family’. It is

deeply rooted in the traditional Indian culture.

▪ Extended or joint family is large in size. It consists of a number of nuclear

family. It includes members of three to four generations. It is an extension of
parent child relationship.

▪ Joint family is the one which consists of members related through blood and
spread over several generations living together under common roof and work
under common head.

▪ Extended family consists of father, mother, their sons and their wife,
unmarried daughters, grandchildren, grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts,
their children and so on.

▪ This type of family largely found in rural community or agrarian economy

Problems of Family
The modern family faces following problems ➔

1. Problem of Adjustment of the Husband and Wife Relation

▪ The most difficult problems in the modern family is that of the mutual
adjustment of husband and wife. The educated woman wants to be the equal of
her husband in every field of life

2. Marriage Based On Romantic Love

▪ A marriage based on romantic love is the major problem of the family. After
marriages of this nature, when the dreams of the husband and wife do not
materialize in the family they are seriously frustrated.

3. Problem of Broken Marriage

▪ The number of broken marriages is the major problem faced by the modern
family. Marriage has reduced to a mere social contract.
Problems of Family
4. Problem of Working Women

▪ Now-a-days there are women who are employed outside the home. They do
not get sufficient time for their children. On returning of their job, they get
exhausted and do not have the energy left to attend husband or their children.

5. Laxity in Family Control

▪ A major problem of the modern family is the decrease in the control exercised
by the family over its members. This has undermined the administration of the
family. Boy, girl, husband, wife, brother, sister wants to pursue his own course
and does not want any interference, be it advice or be it scold

6. Problem of Family Conflict

▪ Changes in the values of life and a reduction of the family control, in the
modern family have led to increased conflict between husband and wife as
well as between the parents and children.
Problems of Family
7. Lower Birth Rate

▪ In a modern family the birth rate is falling constantly due to late marriage and
a tendency to consider children a burden.

8. Lack of Family Unity

▪ Husband and wife, son and daughter each have their own ideals, own plans,
individual programmers and though in which they want no interference.

9. Different Profession

▪ At present there is no family profession or skill. The members of the family

are engaged in different works, one is in service, the other in business, the
third in politics and so on. Members of the family take more interest outside
the family.
Important Questions:
1. Give the characteristics of Culture and Civilization

2. Explain the impact of Science and Technology on culture and civilization

3. Define Society. What are the characteristics of the Society?

4. Define Community. What are the characteristics of the Community?

5. Define Group. Write the characteristics and types of the group?

6. Explain various problems of modern Family

7. What are the characteristics and functions of marriage?