Social Studies Meaning & Development in Nigeria PDF

**MEANING OF SOCIAL STUDIES** Social Studies is the study of man and his environment. It focuses on making us understand the interrelationship between man and his environment. It can be described as a subject that studies the way man lives in his physical and social environment. It is about how man...

**MEANING OF SOCIAL STUDIES** Social Studies is the study of man and his environment. It focuses on making us understand the interrelationship between man and his environment. It can be described as a subject that studies the way man lives in his physical and social environment. It is about how man influences his environment and how this environment, in turn, influences him. **SCOPE OF SOCIAL STUDIES** Basically, scope of Social Studies entails man, his environment (physical environment and social environment) as well as science and technology which man uses to make his environment suitable or conducive for him. It also entails the fact that Social Studies is an integrated subject. The nature of social studies is such that it integrates other subjects such as economics, geography, political science, anthropology and psychology **OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL STUDIES** 1. To help us adapt to our changing environment 2. To help us develop ability to make informed and reasonable decisions for public good as citizens of a culturally. 3. To help us acquire knowledge, master the process of learning and become active citizens of our country-Nigeria. 4. To help us understand the importance of hardwork and honesty 5. To help us learn concepts, acquire useful skills, and good behavior towards one another, the nation, and the entire human society 6. To help us understand the usefulness of being good citizens of our country-Nigeria 7. To help us develop values and right attitudes as desired by or country Nigeria **IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL STUDIES** 1. It equips us with the basic understanding of our environment 2. It enables us to know what is happening around us and in other parts of the world 3. it enables us to develop values, good behaviour, right attitude and become responsible citizens of our country 4. It trains us to be good leaders and followers 5. it enables us develop good sense of decision making 6. It enables us to understand the uniqueness of our cultures and that of other people in different parts of the world 7. It gives us opportunities to discuss problems facing our society at the family, community, state, national and international level 8. It acquaints us with vital information about social issues and problems such as HIV/AIDS, poverty, unemployment, terrorism etc **DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION IN NIGERIA** Two sources are always given as being the origin of social studies education. While some scholars are of the opinion that social studies education stated in the USA, others say it began in Great Britain. However, it is generally accepted that social studies was introduction in the curriculum after the Second World War. The development of social studies was born out of the need to create a better and ideal society in return for the great pain and the damaged experienced during the two world wars. The subjected was perceived to be relevant to the understanding of man and his problems. And that by studying social studies, pupils who would later become adults, would become socially conscious and responsible members of the society. Even right from the development stage, social studies education was aimed at producing authentic African experience, quite different from that of the colonial cultures. The subject was introduced into Nigeria in 1958 by educators of the Ohio University school project which sought to introduce its teaching into the teachers colleges in the former western region of Nigeria. By 1960, some African, including Nigerians had set up different committees to look into the different school curricula to find a way of indigenizing them. There was a conference in Mobassa (Kenya) in 1968 in which social studies was extensively discussed. Back at home in Nigeria, in 1963, an experiment was carried out in Ayetoro High school. It was sponsored by the United States Agencies (USAID) and Ford Foundation. This was regarded as the second attempt to introduce the subject into Nigerian school. The 1965 conference for principals in Nigeria helped to propagate the message of the Aiyetoro experiment. The former twelve states of Nigeria went further to organize activities to promote social studies in their various states through their educational institutions and schools. In further development of the subject, many seminars and workshops were organized by bodies like the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERC), Social Studies Association of Nigeria (SOSAN), the Comparative Education Study and Adaptation Centre (CESAC) of the University of Lagos, UNICEF etc. Today, Social Studies is being taught in the primary schools, junior secondary schools, NTI Grade II Certificate, College of Education and universities in Nigeria. One can even obtain a PHD in social studies. **MEANING OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT** The social environment refers to the immediate physical and social setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops. It includes the culture that the individual was educated or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom they interact. Understanding the Social Environment The social environment is made up of the customs, practices, and behaviors of the people around us. Components: It includes our families, communities, schools, workplaces, and any other areas where we interact with others. **TYPES OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS** Family: The first social environment we experience, which shapes our early learning and development. School: Where we learn formal education and interact with peers and teachers. Community: The wider setting where we engage with neighbors and local events. Workplace: For adults, this is where professional interactions occur. **THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT** The social environment plays a crucial role in the development of an individual's personality, beliefs, and behavior. It influences: -- Values and Norms: What is considered normal or acceptable behavior. -- Social Skills: How we communicate and interact with others. -- Cultural Practices: Traditions and rituals that are passed down through generations. **EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCES** -- Peer Pressure: Friends at school may influence our behavior and decisions. -- Cultural Celebrations: Festivals like Eid, Christmas, or Diwali teach us about cultural heritage. -- Community Service: Volunteering at a local shelter can instill a sense of responsibility and empathy. Challenges in the Social Environment -- Bullying: Negative peer interactions can lead to bullying, which can have long-term effects on mental health. -- Discrimination: Prejudice based on race, gender, or religion can occur, leading to inequality. -- Social Media: Online environments can affect self-esteem and real-life social skills. **PROMOTING A POSITIVE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT** -- Inclusivity: Encouraging acceptance and diversity in all social settings. -- Education: Teaching about the importance of respect, kindness, and understanding. -- Community Programs: Initiatives that bring people together for common causes. **MEANING OF SOCIAL GROUP** A social group means a set of two or more people who interact regularly in a manner defined by some common purpose. **CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOCIAL GROUP** 1. it has defined membership 2. There is group consciousness 3. There is a sense of shared purpose 4. There is interdependence in satisfying each other's needs there is interaction **PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUP** Primary social group is a type of social group whose members are small in number and know each other very closely. **FUNCTIONS OF PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUPS** 1. The development of personality 2. The satisfaction of psychological needs 3. Provision of motivation in the actualization of goals 4. Strengthens the democratic spirit 5. It acts as an agent of social control **TYPES OF PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUPS** i. family ii. kinship systems iii. descent groups iv. age grades **FAMILY** A family is a group of two or more people who are closely related either by blood, marriage or adoption **TYPES OF FAMILY** Nuclear family-this consists of parents and their children **Kinds of Nuclear family** Monogamous nuclear family- this is when a man marries only one wife Polygamous nuclear family- this is when a man marries more than one wife Extended family- This consists of parents, children and other relatives such as grandparents, in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts **ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY** **FATHER** i. provides for the family ii. makes major decisions about the family iii. actively manages the household iv. sees to the moral guidance, clothing and shelter of his family v. sees to the education of his children **MOTHER** i. Prudently manages the family's resources ii. supervises and coordinates the household iii. takes care of the children iv. prepares the family's weekly, monthly and yearly budget v. plans and prepares the family's daily meals vi. ensures the cleanliness of the house **CHILDREN** i. do all the chores in the home ii. go on errands for their parents iii. learn moral guidance, values and languages from their parents and the society iv. Respect and obey their parents and other adults v. Takes adequate care of their parents especially when they become aged vi. They take care of their younger siblings **THE KINSHIP AS A PRIMARY GROUP** Kinship group indicates family ties or relationship which can be in form of blood ties or marriage ties. A person\'s kinsman is his or her relation. The basis of kinsmen rest on three things which are: common ancestors, marriage ties and adoption. **THE AGE GROUP AS PRIMARY GROUP** The age group is a group that consists of people of the same age or age bracket coming together to achieve a common goal. **FUNCTIONS OF AGE GROUP IN THE SOCIETY ARE:** 1\. They ensure security of the community. 2\. They are sometimes responsible for keeping the town clean 3\. It unites the whole town or village through its activities 4\. Sometimes they make laws that govern the society. **MEANING OF FAMILY SIZE** This is the total number of members that make up an immediate family unit There are two types of family size 1. **Small family size:** This type of family size are few in number. They usually live in the same residence and share duties and responsibilities 2. Large family size: This type of family size are many in number **CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL FAMILY SIZE** 1. few members 2. development of personality 3. better condition of parents 4. financial stability due to lesser expenses 5. consistency in raising children 6. emotional bonding and cohesion 7. problem-free unit **CHARCTERISTICS OF LARGE FAMILY SIZE** 1. Many members 2. Expensive cost of living 3. lack of privacy 4. frequent quarrels and disagreement 5. envy and jealousy 6. bad habits **CONSEQUENCES OF SMALL FAMILY SIZE** 1. high standard of living 2. higher educational heights 3. ability to afford good health conditions 4. healthy environment 5. good conduct of children due to proper upbringing 6. better life opportunities 7. less pressure on the nation's economy **CONSEQUENCES OF LARGE FAMILY SIZE** 1. low standard of living 2. poor education of members 3. poor health 4. poor environment 5. involvement of members in social vices 6. fewer life opportunities 7. much pressure on the nation's economy **MEANING OF SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUP** This is a type of social group whose members are large in number and do not know each other **FUNCTIONS OF SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUPS** 1. Members perform defined roles 2. It allows for a sharing of ideas 3. it promotes unity 4. there is maintenance of law and order 5. Secondary social groups such as political parties bring about the formation of government **DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUPS** ** ** **PRIMARY SOCIAL GROUPS** **SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUPS** ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Members are related by blood Members are not related by blood 2 Members are very small in number Members are large in number 3 There is face to face interaction and cooperation among members There is relatively casual, impersonal and competitive relationship among members 4 Members do not marry each other Members can marry each other 5 Membership is compulsory Membership is voluntary 6 Members have common aims and objectives Members have individual aims for joining the groups 7 They have greater influence on the development of the individual They have little influence on the individual's development **SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOCIAL GROUPS** 1. They are made up of human beings 2. Members work for the interest of their members 3. Members have aims and objectives to achieve 4. They have rules and regulations guiding the group 5. They have leaders who direct their affairs 6. They have defined roles to play in the society 7. They exist in the social environment of man   **MEANING OF PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT** Environment is the sum total of the surroundings. There are two forms of environment i. physical environment ii. social environment Physical environment is the part of the environment that is physical. Physical environment is divided into two I. Natural physical environment: It consists of things that occur naturally and found within the physical surrounding e.g lakes, streams, mountains, rivers, oceans, weather, landforms, etc II. Man-made or artificial physical environment: It consists of objects or things that are made by man and found within the physical surroundings of man e.g bridges, tables, buildings, skyscrapers, roads, flovers etc **FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT** 1. Weather: this is the atmospheric condition of a place at a particular time. Elements of weather are wind, temperature, humidity, cloud, rainfall, pressure and sunshine 2. Climate: This is the regular average weather condition of a place over a considerable long period of about 35 years. While weather changes are observed, measured and recorded everyday, climatic changes are observed and recorded over a long period of time. 3. Highlands: also called UPLANDS is an area of hilly mountainous land ranging up to 500-600meters. Some common examples of Highlands in Nigeria are Udi hills, Adamawa Highlands, Mandara mountains, kurukuru highland etc 4. Lowlands: This is an area where the land is at, near or below the level of the sea where there are no mountains or large hills. Lowland areas in Nigeria are mostly along the coast of River Niger, River Benue and the Niger Delta areas 5. Plains: It is defined as a large area of flatland with few trees. Some examples of plains in Nigeria include Sokoto plains, Cross River plains, Borno plains etc 6. Mountains: These are larger land forms that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area in the form of a peak. Mountains are very highlands which are over 300 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level. Some examples of mountains in Nigeria include Chappal Waddi mountain in Taraba state, Mambilla Plateau in Taraba state, Mount Dimlang in Adamawa state, Obudu Plateau in Cross River state etc 7. Valley: Also known as DALE, it refers to a land lying between or bounded by two hills or mountains, often with a river running through 8. Rivers: It is a large water course (usually fresh water) flowing towards an ocean, lake, sea or another river. Some examples of rivers in Nigeria are Imo river, Anambra river, Bonny river, Taraba river etc 9. Lakes: This is a large area of still-water that is surrounded by land. Rivers or streams flow while lakes do not flow. Some examples of lakes in Nigeria are Oguta lake, Kainji lake, Agulu lake etc. 10. Vegetations: It is defined as the general plant life and ground cover provided by plants. **MEANING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS** It can be defined as things and occurrences within our environment that are harmful to our health and development as human beings **TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS** 1. Natural environmental problem: These are problems that occur naturally e.g earthquake, flood, drought, soil erosion and tsunami 2. Artificial or man-made environmental problems: these problems occur as a result of human's daily activities e.g pollution, bush burning and deforestation **CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS** 1. Increase in world population 2. poverty 3. increase in waste generation 4. land degradation 5. deforestation 6. wasteful use of resources **Effects of environmental problems** 1. Global warming 2. polluted water 3. poor air quality 4. death of animals 5. poor agricultural produce 6. loss of lives and properties 7. degradation of the environment **SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS** 1. soil erosion control 2. flood control 3. pollution control 4. seed clouding- a technological way to induce the rain 5. irrigation 6. water and gas recycling 7. afforestation 8. education 9. legislation 10. research