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Articles: Arts and Culture | Culture and Civilization-3
- Mr. Vachaspati V.
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I will give different methods of study of society or culture::
In a social structure, the human beings organize themselves into associations and institutions for the pursuit of some object or objectives. The aim can be fulfilled only if the social structure is based upon certain principles. These principles set the elements of social structure in motion, which are as follows:
1.Normative System:
Normative system presents the society with the ideas and values. The people attach emotional importance to these norms. The institutions and associations are inter-related according to these norms. The individuals perform their roles in accordance with the accepted norms of the society.
For Example: No one is allowed to deviate from some rituals, whatever the religion may be. A Hindu is not allowed to deviate from the ashramas and should observe the caste formalities, though the law is either liberal or prohibits them.
2. Position System:
The Position refers to status and roles of the individuals. The desires, aspirations, and expectations of individuals are varied, multiple and unlimited. So, these can be fulfilled only if the members of society are assigned different roles according to their capabilities and capacities. In fact, proper functioning of the society depends upon proper assignment of roles and status.
For Example: In Patriarchal society, a man has to perform all the ashramas and that are nothing but positions. A father in this system will be the head of the family. He represents the family in the society. Father loves the fittest and able son. Because his elder son is going to be the head of that family.
In Matriarchal society, the mother will take care of the needs of the family. But the elder son will represent the family in the society. Father has no role in it. Mother loves the weakest children in her family. Here lies the real welfare and democratic system.
If patriarchy is a coercive one, the matriarchy is a welfare one.
(That’s why I advocate the empowerment of women, they should have a say in day-to-day affairs. But unfortunately the words of the fathers ultimately gain precedence. I personally do not reject the authority of father, but the words of women needs to be listened as it is not possible to change the total system. Wherever the women live with their heads held high and educated, that society will run. In our country, it is deviated. Hence there is violence and corruption in our system).
3. Sanction system:
For the proper enforcement of norms, every society has a sanction system. The integration and coordination of different parts of social structure depends upon conformity to social norms. The non-conformists are punished by the society according to the nature of the non-conformity. It, however, does not mean that there are no non-conformists in a well-organized society. Non-conformity also an essential feature of society, otherwise, there would be no progress or change. This non-conformity is the hallmark of any society or culture. But it is, beyond doubt, that the number of non-conformists is smaller than the conformists. The stability of a social structure or culture depends upon the effectiveness of the sanction system. The sanction could be positive or negative based on the circumstances.
4. A System of Anticipated Responses:
The anticipated response system calls upon the individuals to participate in the social system. His preparation sets the social structure in motion. The successful working of social structure or culture depends upon the realization of his duties by the individual and his efforts to fulfil these duties.
5. Action System:
It is the object or goal to be arrived at by the social structure. The whole social structure or culture revolves around it. The action is the root cause, which weaves the web of social relationships and sets the social structure in motion.
For example: In India the primordial loyalty lies with the Caste system, it is open in the sense, and it absorbs any one. Huns became part of the system, though they are not natives. Later they became Rajputs. Huns once famous for their violence, turned to be protectors of Hinduism against invasions from Khyber Pass. The social structure of the Huns that was divided persisted during the Rajputs time also. Rajputs fought with rebels united. Hence, defeated.
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