Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change PDF

Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Alright, let's imagine for a moment. What if we were not raised in any family but instead grew up amidst wild animals in a forest or jungle? What wou...

Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Alright, let's imagine for a moment. What if we were not raised in any family but instead grew up amidst wild animals in a forest or jungle? What would happen? Isn't that quite astonishing? Let's read a brief summary of Rudyard Kipling's famous story The Jungle Book. Mowgli who got lost in jungle The main character's name in the story is Mowgli. He got lost in an Indian jungle almost immediately after birth. Not knowing who his parents were or how they looked, Mowgli was raised in the jungle without their touch. Can you guess by whom? By a pack of wolves! He was brought up by wolves and learned to live like them in the jungle. Mowgli lived as the only human there, facing many dangers meant for humans in the forest. To protect Mowgli from a tiger called Sher Shah, the cheetah named Bagheera, along with some friends, decided to send him to a village. However, Mowgli had grown up in the jungle since childhood. He had known the wolf pack and other animals as his family and friends. Through the pack of wolves, his socialization took place, influencing his behaviour and everything else, which was not entirely compatible with human conduct and society.Mowgli didn't want to leave the jungle as per Bagheera’s decision. However, when he came into contact with other humans, his mindset changed. In this case, his peers played an essential role at the same age. Mowgli began to exhibit appropriate external expressions of social behaviour, conduct, emotions, and feelings as he engaged with them. To become a part of society, Mowgli had to learn human behaviour. This is known as "re-socialization." Academic Year-2024 90  History & Social Science While it's a fictional story, it serves as a remarkable example to understand socialization in human life. Not only in the story but also in real life, we can learn about various truths in the light of different events. Now, let's delve into two such true incidents. In 1920, near the village of Godamuri in India, a couple of missionaries followed the words of the local people and went into the jungle to rescue two human children staying with some wolves in a cave. They were named Amala and Kamala. Since their birth, just like Mowgli, they hadn't undergone primary socialization like the wolves. They cried like wolves, moved on all fours, and their behaviour was visibly influenced by the wolves. They ate raw meat. Despite their attempts to cover themselves with clothes, they preferred being naked; they desired to stay wild. When they were rescued, Amala was two years old, and Kamala was eight years old. However, based on their behaviour, it seemed as if they were merely six-month-old human children. Efforts were made to integrate them as members of society by teaching them human behaviour. Nevertheless, within a few months of their rescue from the jungle, Amala passed away. Kamala died in 1929 at the age of 17. Before her death, she had learned a little about human behaviour. She could eat with her hands and pronounce a few words. The incident of Amala and Kamala proves that inherited characteristics are not actual traits, but children learn behaviour, social norms, and values through the process of socialization. Academic Year- 2024 Coming into contact with humans, Kamala became somewhat accustomed to eating like humans. 91  Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Socialization Human beings are the only social animals, a fact we have learned since childhood. However, it's crucial to understand why this statement holds true. A human child doesn't automatically become a social being upon birth. As he grows up, he needs to learn the rules, norms, and values of society to integrate into it. Because an individual cannot fulfil all their desires alone, he must engage in communal living. Thus, a person needs to comprehend their society and culture to behave accordingly. Socialization is a life-long process through which an individual learns the desired values, customs, behaviours, and skills to successfully become a part of society. Every society has its unique beliefs, rules, values, etc., that all members must follow. Socialization teaches us all the social traits and also helps us understand what kind of behaviour to expect from others. In this process, we shape ourselves as members of society. Society and people accept and understand each other through mutual understanding and mutual learning. The process of socialization continues from childhood to throughout life. Socialization takes different forms at different stages of life. A child learns differently from an adult. The means of socialization vary by age. Various social institutions such as family, friends, relatives, and schools play crucial roles in different stages of socialization. Not only groups or institutions but various events happening around us like TV, newspapers, magazines, social interactions, and media also play important roles. Academic Year-2024 The mediums of socialization for an individual 92  History & Social Science In the process of socialization, the norms and values of society shift from one generation to another. Socialization occurs within a specific cultural sphere; therefore, an individual's expected behaviour differs among different countries or societies. The main reason for the disparity in the behaviour of people residing in Bangladesh and those in other countries is the difference in socialization. Socialization plays a significant role in shaping an individual's personality. Personalities develop through interactions with the surroundings and people. Personality encompasses one's attitudes, character traits, and behavioural patterns. Differences in people's personalities occur due to variations in their interactions. Media of Socialization Socialization occurs through various institutions or groups within society, which we refer to as the vehicles or means of socialization. Now, let's become acquainted with the means of socialization and try to understand their contribution to transforming individuals into social beings. Family: Right after a child's birth, he tries to understand his surroundings through his parents and other family members. That's when he primarily learns basic behaviour. Uttering a few sounds becomes his primary language. Within him, emotions, feelings, and human development begin to evolve. The child is naturally inclined towards imitation. Therefore, the conduct of the child's family and relatives around them is crucial. Moreover, the reactions of parents and others to the child's behaviour or actions also affect the child. Through this interaction, the child's understanding of human values and the development of other social and moral qualities within them take place. Educational Institution: An educational institution functions as the second primary medium for socialization. A school extends the small social world of a child, who might be confined within the family. Besides interacting with other children coming from different social statuses, they also get introduced to various social situations. Even though they are children, understanding the differences in social positions becomes crucial, akin to individuals.In the classroom, students from different social backgrounds sing national songs, engage in collective activities, and play together. Through these, values like discipline, patriotism, compliance, camaraderie, among others, are nurtured among them. In the classroom, teachers don't just impart knowledge to students through textbooks. Students themselves imbibe various subjects from their environment or situations. For instance, encouraging all students during annual sports competitions fosters their physical and mental development through sports. Through sports, their capabilities for running, jumping, and such activities ensure discipline, cooperation, and adherence Academic Year- 2024 to rules.Simultaneously, students' moral values and leadership qualities also develop. Same Age Companions: After the family, playmates, classmates, or peers of the same age become companions, sharing laughter and tears, joys and sorrows, forming a bond of camaraderie among themselves. They express their thoughts openly, establishing 93  Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change connections with each other. When we refer to a 'peer group,' we understand a social circle consisting of individuals of similar ages who share common social status and interests. Naturally, children learn to develop relationships within their peer groups during this period. By nurturing their thoughts and feelings, children integrate themselves as equals within society.As they are all of the same age and engage regularly, mutual trust or dependence is noticed among them due to consistent interaction. Media: People across the globe spend a part of their daily lives utilizing various forms of media. Previously, popular media were newspapers, radio, and television. Presently, social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook have gained popularity. These modern media play a crucial role in socialization. The accessibility of the internet has boosted their popularity. These new media significantly impact our thoughts, values, and behaviour universally. We are being shaped as global citizens. These influences aren't always positive; we observe various negative impacts. Workplace: We know that socialization remains integral throughout our lives. After formal education, one might assume that socialization or educational learning is no longer necessary. The impact of successful socialization can be seen in one's career, showcasing their skills and intelligence. However, entering a workplace brings forth various challenges. Initially, beginning a new job is not just about understanding the work expected by the employer but also about developing comprehension through interactions with colleagues. In the workplace, socialization occurs through the adaptation to new protocols and values. An individual's behaviour is influenced by their surrounding environment or colleagues, guiding gradual personal transformation. Social Control The attempt to control the thoughts, attitudes, and behaviour of individuals living in society is known as social control. As a result, members of society are compelled to adhere to prevalent values, norms, and the laws of the state. Social control encourages people to exhibit similar behaviour, thereby maintaining discipline in society and fostering a sense of unity among us. Just as we adhere to the customs, values, and ethics of society, we hope that others will do the same. Without any specific thought or consideration, we abide by countless social norms, rules, and laws every day because individuals, groups, and institutions expect us to follow them. If we do so, society will recognize us as 'good people', and we will benefit in various ways.For good deeds, society is controlled and guided through rewards, while for 'bad' deeds, it is controlled and regulated through punishments. Social control is divided into two categories by considering the variations in institutions Academic Year-2024 and organizations designated to regulate human behaviour- 94  History & Social Science Social Control Informal Social Formal Social Control Control Informal Social Control: In society, when one does not abide by the customs, norms, and values, he is considered to defy informal social control by family, peers, or acquaintances of similar age. If someone doesn’t follow established rules and conduct, both familiar and unfamiliar individuals might react with mockery, ridicule, or sarcasm towards them. Hence, none of us desire to invite criticism through our behaviour. Avoiding deviant behaviour is believed to be an effective measure against this. Such social control mechanisms are more effective in rural societies. This is because social relationships in rural areas are more close-knit and profound compared to urban settings. Therefore, if someone behaves defiantly in the village, family members and neighbours engage in discussions with them. As a result, the individual can comprehend their mistake and rectify their actions. In the village, institutions such as Salish and Gram Panchayat hold more significance in social control compared to modern establishments like the police or the judiciary. Formal Social Control Formal social control is enforced by institutional figures like police officers, judges, school administrators, or employers. When informal control proves ineffective, formal institutions intervene to regulate society. In every society or country, some individuals disregard institutional rules and laws, leading to behaviour classified as a crime. If an individual commits a crime, society, according to the existing laws, administers various punishments, which can take the form of monetary fines, imprisonment, or dismissal. These punishment methods, on the one hand, uphold peace and order in society by deterring criminals from future transgressions and sending a message to all citizens. It also urges them to abstain from criminal acts. Academic Year- 2024 95  Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Family plays a role in various social control. Academic Year-2024 Educational institutions play a significant role on rugulating our conduct. 96  History & Social Science Countries are divided into various units to maintain social order. Take Bangladesh, for instance, which is divided into divisions, districts, upazilas, unions/municipalities, and wards. Within each unit, state institutions work to uphold peace and order in society. The primary goal of these state efforts is to ensure harmony and order by regulating and preventing deviant, unwanted, and anti-social behaviours within society. The Branches of Government: The government operates through three key departments: 1. Legislative Branch: Responsible for creating and modifying laws. 2. Executive Branch: Enforces these laws within the state or jurisdiction. 3. Judicial Branch:Prosecuting individuals who violate the laws. However, the executive branch carries out numerous governmental responsibilities.. Those will be explored in detail in another chapter. Social Change Society is not static; it is in constant flux. The contemporary 'associational society' has evolved gradually from the former 'communal society.' Members of the 'communal system shared deep and genuine relationships and solidarity. People exhibited similar behaviours, thoughts, and values, prioritising the community's welfare over individual desires. These communities function like families. When someone in a family has a problem, it can affect everyone in the community. This makes everyone come together to help the community be better. The traits of the 'communal society' have transformed into the modern 'Associational Society.' The characteristics of this society are different from that of a communal society. This society's focus on personal lives often fails to benefit the larger societal good. Social change occurs for various reasons. Cultural change is one of the causes of social change. As time changes, cultural elements (technology, values, etc.) also change, resulting in changes in social systems. Transformation may not always be positive; negative changes in aspects of culture are also likely to cause problems or degradation of society. Again, population size is an essential factor in social change. As a result of innovations in medical science, maternal and child mortality rates have decreased, while the average life expectancy of people has increased. Social change depends on population variation. New ideas also play a role in changing society. Academic Year- 2024 97  Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Social Change in Bangladesh Changes in the social structure can be seen in Bangladesh as well. We observe significant changes in the family, an essential component of the social system. Once upon a time, joint family was predominant in our country. But a joint family is slowly changing into a single family. Along with that, men's and women's opinions are gaining importance in making family decisions. Earlier, men looked after the economic side of the family; now, women are involved in various professions along with men. Most of the workers in our garment industry are women; they support their families with the earnings they earn. Apart from this, women are progressing in all fields, from office court to business. This change in family structure as a social institution is a part of social change. Another essential element of social structure is economic institutions, which are undergoing significant changes in our country. In the last few decades, Bangladesh's agricultural economy has transformed into an industrial one. For example, in 1990, the contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product or GDP decreased from 33 percent to about 13 percent, while the share of industry in GDP increased from 21 percent to about 30 percent. On the one hand, various groups or institutions based on agriculture have gradually shrunk; on the other hand, the size of the city has increased, and new groups and institutions have been formed here. As a result, human interaction is changing. Moreover, day by day, direct and indirect contact with foreign countries has affected our food habits, clothing, education and other activities. Academic Year-2024 98  History & Social Science Meena’s elder sister, Tarabu, had her marriage arranged by their parents. The prospective groom, the son of a city-based shopkeeper’s brother, alongside the shopkeeper and his nephew, aimed to demand dowry for the marriage. Unaware of the laws prohibiting dowry, the village folks planned to initially ask for a bicycle and later a motorcycle post-marriage. Mithu, Meena’s pet bird, became aware of this plan and informed Meena and Raju. Sensing the gravity of the situation, they shared this information with Tarabu and their parents. Seeking guidance, they approached the village elder, Matabbar. He affirmed that both giving and receiving dowry were criminal acts. In solidarity, the villagers collectively decided not to allow any girl from their village to marry a boy who demanded dowry. Consequently, the city-based suitor returned without marrying as he insisted on dowry. Meena's Cartoon Dowry We can understand how Meena and the villagers worked together to stop the dowry system. Even though this is a story, it shows how some people can change old customs by working together. Academic Year- 2024 99  Socialization, Social Control, and Social Change Social Movement A social movement is a collective effort where a group of people work together to change how things are in a society, state, or country. These movements started because people were unhappy with unfair or unequal things in society. So, a social action is when people come together in an organised way to improve society and bring more order. For example, in the past, social movements led by people like King Rammohan Roy in British India stopped the practice of sati (widow burning), and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's efforts helped introduce widow remarriage. They also brought changes like improving women's education and repealing laws like the Permanent Settlement Act. Nowadays, social movements are happening around the world. They focus on democracy, good governance, human rights, empowering women, and protecting the environment. Now, let us look at some important social movements from different times that have caused big changes globally and played a significant role in changing society. Martin Luther King's Anti-Apartheid Movement Martin Luther King Jr., the renowned American advocate for human rights, dedicated his life to combating racism and advocating for equal rights for Black people. After finishing university, he became a pastor at the King Baptist Church in 1955 and actively engaged in the black rights movement. The historic Montgomery bus boycott erupted that year over segregated bus seating. Black individuals were restricted from sitting in the front. Also, the black individuals had to surrender their reserved seats if any white individuals got on the bus. Rosa Parks, a Black woman, defied this rule. She broke the law then, so she got arrested and had to pay a ten-dollar fine.In response, Luther King and other black clergy initiated a bus service boycott, enduring 381 days of hardships until the Supreme Court deemed the discriminatory bus seat allocation unconstitutional, ensuring equal rights for all bus passengers. This non-violent movement spread nationwide. It drew support from various black leaders, and protests erupted across the entire America. In 1963, King announced a movement against discriminatory laws, advocating for equal economic and social benefits for Black Americans and an end to child labour. Academic Year-2024 100  History & Social Science The peaceful protest assembly in Alabama faced harsh repression from the police, resulting in the arrest of Martin Luther King and numerous others. This event got significant global attention. King decided to initiate the Freedom March nationwide. The march towards Washington started from different parts of the country. On August 27, 1963, over two and a half million individuals gathered at the Lincon Memorial.Addressing the massive crowd, King delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech, highlighting the devastating impact of apartheid on the nation and expressing optimism for America's future. He envisioned a United States where equality prevailed among all citizens, portraying it as the true essence of the American dream. Martin Luther King He expressed elements of his dream this way: "Friends, even amidst today's challenges, I continue to dream. My dream is deeply tied to the American ideal. I envision a day when this nation will embrace the long-held belief we Americans assume - that all individuals are inherently equal.I dream that one day in the Red Hills of Georgia the children of former slaves and former slave owners will be able to sit at a table of brotherhood.I dream that one day, Mississippi will put an end to its unfair and oppressive system, transforming into a haven of liberty and fairness. I envision a future where my four children will thrive in a nation where their worth is measured by their character, not the color of their skin. This dream is alive within me today.I envision a time in Alabama, where the governor's words are not just prohibitions, but bridges. A time where despite the challenges faced by the Black community, boys and girls will join hands as brothers and sisters. This dream is alive within me today." This impactful speech influenced the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965, recognising Black Americans' rights. He received The Times' 'Man of the Year' award in 1964 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year at the age of 35 for his unwavering dedication to the human rights movement. We need to know noteworthy aspects of Martin Luther King's legacy. First, he drew inspiration for his non-violent movement from Mahatma Gandhi.The second one is tragic.He was assassinated in 1968. If we ponder for a moment, we will notice that we acquire traditional customs and values through schools, families, educational institutions, and similar avenues. Conversely, Academic Year- 2024 alterations in the society’s economic, social, or political landscape, or due to social movements, can lead to changes in these traditional customs and values. Hence, the existing customs and values exert an influence on the social structure, just as the social structure governs these customs and values. 101