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How does one tackle social problems? How do societies deal with the social problems that they have to confront? Why do social problems arise? These are some questions that learners of Sociology need to address. Societies have cultures; both of these are created by people, cumulatively, through the network of relationships over thousands of years. Every society has its normative system – customs, folkways, fashions, mores, taboos, fads, and laws. Social norms are guidelines for human behaviour. They tell us what is expected of us and at the same time, what to expect from others. Are these expectations permanent and unchanging? When can they change? Who changes them? Why must they change? Again, these are questions that one might ask. Social problems can arise when the expectations are not communicated effectively, or when individuals or groups choose to disagree with the expectation. This can lead to situations of conflict – not just ideological but also conflict that leads to hurting others’ sentiments, abuse, violence, injustice, upheavals, normlessness, and even war. |
- What do you understand by normative aspects of culture, are these expectations permanent? When do they change?
- How does the social norm regulate behaviours?
- Which situations can lead to social problems?
- What kind of topics are studied in Sociology?
Solution
- The normative aspects of culture consists of customs, folkways, fashions, mores, taboos, fads, laws. Social norms are guidelines for human behaviour. They tell us what is expected of us and at the same time, what to expect from others. These expectations are not permanent as appropriate and inappropriate behaviour often changes dramatically from one generation to the next. Norms can and do change over time. Karl Marx believed that norms are used to promote the creation of roles in society which allows people of different levels of social class structure to be able to function properly, hence any change in social structure may lead to change in normative aspect of culture.
- Social norms regulate behaviour by specifying what is expected from oneself as well as others. In other words, they serve as a guideline for behaviour.
- When behavioural expectations are not communicated appropriately or when a certain group of individuals do not agree with these expectations, it leads to conflicts and thereby, social problems.
- Topics studied in Sociology are as follows:
- Prevalent norms in the society and changes in them
- Causes of social problems
- Ways of tackling social problems
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