The question as to the relationship between the individual and the society exudes many problems in the field of social philosophy. It is an important question as it borders on values. Man does not live independently but requires other people for his existence. Again, without the presence of individuals, there would be no society. As such, the society is nothing without individuals, and individuals, on the other hand, are surrounded by the society from which they derive their social fulfillment (Moghaddam, 2002).
The Relationship between the Individual and Society
According to Moghaddam (2002), there is a very close relationship between an individual and the society. Man lives within the society and the society consists of these individuals. It is not possible to think of an individual in isolation without reference to a particular society, and as well, one cannot contemplate of a society without reference to individuals. The society is made up of checks and balances, customs as well as ground rules of anti-human behavior. These elements determine the interaction among individuals within the society. Society requires the harmonious cooperation of individuals for its sustainable existence and individuals, on the other hand, live in a society which is necessary for their social needs. Society exists to serve the needs of individuals, but individuals do not exist to serve the needs of the society. Man is a social being, and as such, requires living in a society, which fulfills his psychological as well as biological needs.
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For the evolution, survival, and development of human life, society is an integral element. The individual depends on the society to fulfill his needs. Within it, man can identify with a particular culture, conform to relevant norms, occupy social status, and become part of groups. Again, it is these individuals that determine the cultural make-up of the society, design norms, define social statuses and devise the types of groups in the society. For this reason, the relationship between the individual and the society is a symbiotic one; both element mutually depending on one another, as they help each other in the process of their growth (Moghaddam, 2002).
The Significance of Socialization in the Transmission of Culture
Bradshaw, Healey , and Smith (2001) define socialization as the process through which an individual becomes a functioning member of the surrounding society. A person can relate well to other human beings through this process. It is an essential process in that, the newborn individual can transform into a social being, and people find their fulfillment within the society. It helps to mold individuals into what they are. Every person will try to live as per the norms that exist within the society to which he belongs. Failure to do so leads to social deviance which will call for other members to take necessary measures in an attempt to bring back the social misfit to the societal norms.
Through this adjustment process, socialization takes place. As such, socialization can be said to facilitate the transmission of culture in a way that, individuals have to abide by the cultural norms of a particular society and if they don't do so, the socialization process imposes it on them. Through this process, a person coming from a different culture will have to emulate the new culture in a different society that they find themselves to be members so that they can avoid cultural shocks. Through the socialization process, they can understand the new culture and start practicing it to live harmoniously with other people. Consequently, a new culture will have been transmitted in them. This process helps old members to conform to the existing culture, and new members to assimilate the new culture, thus, transmitting it enabling it to thrive. Members of a society need to behave according to its norms so that it does not disintegrate (Bradshaw, Healey & Smith, 2001).
A Theoretical Perspective on Social Inequality
Ferrante-Wallace (2008) notes that one of the sociological perspectives that attempt to explain the presence of social inequality is the Functionalist theory. Proponents of this theory try to form an analogy between the society and the human body. They argue that the society functions in the same way that a human body does. The society is thus considered as a more extensive system consisting of different parts which are interrelated and have to work in harmony with each other. According to functionalist theorists, therefore, social inequality is functional for the society. They explain that the poor is essential for the society as they play different roles that keep the society moving. For example, they perform those dirty jobs that others who are well off would not want to. These may be jobs that are difficult and with low wages. Other people would not want to do such work yet they are important for the economy.
According to Maghaddam (2002), since the poor have no other option, they are forced to do such jobs. In this case, the rich need the poor as without them; these jobs would not get done. The poor on the other hand need the rich for their provisions. Ferrant—Wallace (2008) adds that these theorists also address inequalities in income and status resulting from different professions. They explain that for the society to function, it requires people to work in various professions: high and low alike. If everybody became engineers, doctors, and lawyer, there would be no one to serve. Professions such as medicine engineering, law and the like, require strong personal abilities, extensive training as well as advanced degrees and so, attract higher earnings and status as compared to others like clerks, janitors etc. Nevertheless, all these professions are relevant in a society. Therefore, from functionalists’ point of view, social inequality is inevitable and functional for society.
Conclusion
Man is a social being and thus requires living in groups which make up the society. He depends on the society for his existence, and the society cannot be there if individuals are lacking. As such, there is an interdependent relationship between the individual and the society. Socialization is an important learning process that facilitates the interaction of people, enabling them to learn important skills that are relevant for their social participation in the particular social group. It helps in the transmission of culture, helping it to endure. Various theoretical perspectives explain the existence of social inequality within a society. One of the theories explaining it is the functionalist theory, which argues that it is important for social inequality to exist in a society for it to be able to function properly.
References
Bradshaw, Y. W., Healey, J. F., & Smith, R. (2001). Sociology for a new century (5 th ed.).
Boston, Mass: Pine Forge Press.
Ferrante-Wallace, J. (2008). Sociology: A global perspective (6 th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson
Wadsworth.
Moghaddam, F. M. (2002). The individual and society: A cultural integration (6 th ed.). New
York: Worth Publishers.
