Religion has historically been a major push for social change. Understanding social change in religion starts with a proper comprehension of its characteristics, functions, and dysfunctions. Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Durkheim have different perspectives on religion and family as social institutions. Unlike small, traditional societies, large modern societies had religion replaced by secularization. Also, there has been a change in power in both religion and family institutions from preindustrial societies to post-industrial societies. Social change has both negative and positive consequences on different aspects of society. Besides, all the intended social change is associated with unintended consequences.
Characteristics, Functions, and Dysfunctions of Religion and Family
Religion is characterized by six elements: sacred, myth, ritual, community, morality, and religious leaders. Religion binds individuals and communities together (Suja, 2021). Religion promotes social solidarity and provides solace and peace to an individual (Poushter et al., 2019). More functions of religion include bringing social cohesion by incorporating social values of a society into a cohesive whole, and it also acts as an agency of socialization. According to Suja (2021), religion prevents protests and impedes social change. Some conflicts and protests lead to changes that would certainly lead to positive reforms. It also impedes the ability of the society to adapt to changes and may foster irresponsibility and dependence.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Family is the most universal and pervasive social institution that plays an essential role in the socialization of individuals. The United States Bureau of Census describes a family as a group of two or more individuals related by blood, adoption, and marriage and living in the same household (Poushter et al., 2019). Characteristics of a family include a mating relationship and a form of marriage. Besides, more features of a family include living together and having the same system of nomenclature. A family also provides for each other and have a system of communication and interaction. The family performs various functions for society. It provides members with a social identity, helps regulate sexual reproduction and sexual activity, supports its members practically and emotionally, and socializes children. Changes in the structure or processes of the family threaten to weaken society and threaten its stability (Poushter et al., 2019). It reinforces patriarchy and economic inequality, which contributes to social inequality. The family can also be a source of conflicts, such as emotional cruelty and physical violence.
Views on Religion and Social Change
Karl Marx perceived religion as a means utilized by capitalist societies to implement their unequal motives. Weber perceived religion as a tool for social change while Durkheim regarded religion as a combined system of practices and beliefs that relates to sacred things. Durkheim argued that religion incorporates both belief, regular ceremonies, and rituals on a group of followers (Hunt, 2017). With several changes that occurred throughout the world, Max Weber initiated a study to determine the impact of religion on social change. He considered how religion had added new perspectives to human development and human life. Weber regarded religion as a tool that shapes an individual’s image of the world, which affects their interest and actions. He argued that religion drove social change by giving rise to modern capitalism.
Perspectives on Social Inequality
Functionalist theorists and conflict theorists have two perspectives on social inequality in religion and family. Functionalists believe that inequality is desirable and inevitable and that it plays an essential role in society. According to this perspective, social inequality leads to the award of merit-based on ability. On the contrary, conflict theorists perceive inequality as an outcome of ruling groups dominating less powerful ones (Hunt, 2017). Opportunities are awarded based on race and gender, limiting some of the benefits that some individuals receive.
Functional Fit Theory of the family, developed by Functionalist sociologist Talcott Parsons, indicated that the extended family used to perform various roles (Bailey & Barclay, 2017). However, after the industrial revolution, the nuclear family resumed most of the extended family duties with few functions. Functionalists also argue that religion experienced various changes in beliefs, values, and perspectives in the post-industrial society, which created tension between dominant customs and traditions (Hunt, 2017). The conflict perspective of religion indicated that social change led to more social inequalities after the Industrial Revolution. The church hierarchy made insignificant efforts to stop various abuse of power in churches. Interactionist perspective on religion and family indicated that status was based on non-economic factors such as religion, family, and education (Bailey & Barclay, 2017). Also, they believe that both class and status determine a person's influence or power over ideas. Their idea still holds even after the industrial revolution.
Characteristics that Define Traditional and Modern Societies
Characteristic that defines a traditional society is its focus on religion on behavioral values and norms, which implies that it creates continuity with an imagined or real past. Traditional society widely accepts holy feasts, sacrifices, and rituals (Bailey & Barclay, 2017). Their birth determined the status of people in traditional society, and they did not endeavor for social mobility (Therborn, 2004). Their behaviors were controlled by norms, traditions, and customs having a deep connection with the past. Mythical thought also predominated traditional society. Unlike traditional society, modern society is characterized by the rise of secular, materialistic culture and the decline of religion. Modern society is also characterized by seeing the world in terms of dualisms or opposites and viewing individuals to acquire great control over the environment and nature (Bailey & Barclay, 2017). Besides, it believes in progress, emphasizes reason and rationality, and is characterized by a rise in science.
The Role of Power
According to Max Weber, power is the ability to bring about an anticipated result, even when opposed by others. Religion has power structures that mask its collaboration with other power structures, spread its influence, and justify its existence (Giddens & Sutton, 2021). Religious leaders help to make decisions for various religious bodies, and they are often the most respected figures in their society (Therborn, 2004). They influence other social institutions such as family. At the community and family level, religious leaders can influence practices, behaviors, and attitudes and raise awareness (Giddens & Sutton, 2021). They mold social values depending on their faith-based teachings. Conflict theorists perceive family as social arrangements helping males more than females by allowing them to assume positions of power in society. Most traditional families in several cultures were patriarchal, which encouraged inequality between the sexes (Therborn, 2004). Traditional society gave males more power than females. However, social change has led to the distribution of powers since the role of women is currently valued in most societies.
Effects and Consequences of Social Change
The increase in urbanization and industrialization, the nature of demographic changes, and the processes of social mobility bring about significant changes in society. Unlike rural places, the urban population has access to various recreational, education, social services, and health services, which leads to social changes since urbanization makes life more comfortable (Giddens & Sutton, 2021). Like urbanization, modernization aligns activities of traditional society with the tools, institutions, and activities of industrialized nations. Secularization results from modernization, which leads to changes in religious practices, beliefs, and institutions. Modernization and industrialization have also brought alienation, anxiety, and stress for the family members and the entire system (Giddens & Sutton, 2021). Globalization has transformed the world into a small village where people interact freely and exchange their beliefs and values. It has had a huge impact on religion and family since several social institutions are reorganized.
Society has changed to individualism from social support, which has increased the gap between the mobility poor and the rich and worsened issues resulting from mobility poverty. In recent decades, social change has intensified with new family networks and changing roles of people in society (Giddens & Sutton, 2021). All intended social changes have corresponding unintended consequences. Some of the intended implementations to enhance social change include prohibition, drug enforcement administration, automotive transportation, and welfare programs. Unintended consequences include solidifying a culture of independence, increased sex among young people, increased mobility, deaths due to auto accidents, increased job opportunities, and increased pollution and crime rates.
Conclusion
Sociologists such as Marx, Weber, and Durkheim developed theories to explain various aspects of social institutions such as religion and family. These theories include some of the changes that happen to these social institutions. The changes can be analyzed by understanding certain issues associated with religion and family, such as their functions, characteristics, the role of power, and the consequences of modernization, globalization, and industrialization. I think religion has changed over the years, and family has also seen a huge transformation. While growing up, we could only receive information from people around us, such as parents and friends, by asking. However, technology and social change have made the world a small place where people can extract information about anything they want. Atheists have come open to challenge the existence of supreme beings, which has altered young people's learning process since they can access some of these documentaries online. In the coming years, people might not get a chance to attend sacred religious places to wince they will be worshipping from various places through a connected platform. Parents do not have time to teach their children appropriate manners since they spend more time at work and social media. This project has enabled me to understand society's past, present, and future conditions in terms of two special social institutions: religion and family. It has also made me aware of the potential challenges associated with social change.
References
Bailey, M. L., & Barclay, K. (2017). Emotion, ritual and power: from family to nation. In Emotion, Ritual and Power in Europe, 1200–1920 (pp. 1-20). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Giddens, A., & Sutton, P. W. (2021). Sociology . John Wiley & Sons.
Hunt, S. J. (2017). Religion in Western society . Macmillan International Higher Education.
Poushter, J., Fetterolf, J., & Tamir, C. (2019). A changing world: Global views on diversity, gender equality, family life, and religion's importance. Pew Research Center , 44 . https://www.observatorioreligion.es/upload/44/08/Global-Views-of-Cultural-Change.pdf
Suja, M. (2021). Unit-3 Society, Culture, Religion and Family Values. Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/71863/1/Unit-3.pdf
Therborn, G. (2004). Between sex and power: Family in the world 1900-2000 . Routledge.
Yob, I. M. (2019). 17| Religion and Music in an Education for Social Change. Music, Education, and Religion: Intersections and Entanglements , 249.
