Social institutions are systems that are established in the society, and their purpose is to ensure that the society functions well. They are referred to as the backbone of the society, without which the society is unable to achieve success with regards to relationships, economy, and academy. Social institutions play a critical role in taming negative activities such as crime in the society which come as a result of lack of rules and regulations. Therefore, the institutions are vital in organizing the society and the people in it. The society consists of various social institutions that come with various rules and norms which require followership from the people. Violations of the set rules lead to prosecutions and in some cases condemnation. The major social institutions include politics, economy, education, the family, marriage, and finally religion. All these institutions are important in their rights and ensure that the society, including the people, adhere to the social order that is characterized by the adherence to rules and norms.
The video of focus is from the category of family named ‘’Why Are Fewer Americans Getting Married?'' The video attempts to give insight on the social institution of marriage and how it is losing popularity among the Americans. The video further postulates that fewer Americans are committing to marriage according to research that was conducted by the Pew Research. The research largely takes advantage of a comparison between the marriage in the 1960s and today. In 1960, the marriage index was at 72% while today, the value has since reduced to a paltry 50%. Marriage is a social institution whose main purpose is to create a healthy regulation in the life of an individual. It is the backbone of the social institution of the family. Marriage norms vary from culture to culture. It is marked with a ceremony which works to unite two people from diverse backgrounds, culture, and families. Many people associate companionship as the main reason for marriage.
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However, as indicated by the video, the popularity of marriage in the United States has markedly reduced in the recent years. The research by the Pew Research Center postulated that about a fifth of Americans who are at the age of 25 and above do not engage in marriage ( Why Are Fewer Americans Getting Married? ). The trend is proof that many individuals in the country are walking away from this important social institutions due some reasons. One of the main reasons given in this regard is financial instability which has rendered a majority of people to live a single life. Conducting a wedding is an expensive process that many find difficult if not necessary. The research also found out that most partners especially women fancy spouses who have a steady job, something that has become difficult to come about given that there is a serious shortage of young men who are employed. In proving this, the report asserts that in 1960, a whopping 93% of young men, especially those in the age bracket of 25 to 34 were employed. On the contrary, in 2012, the levels of employment have since gone down to 82% ( Why Are Fewer Americans Getting Married?) .
The video goes ahead to give another crucial reason as to why fewer Americans are tying the note, and this case involves the women. With the entrance of more women into the workforce and the narrowing of the wage gap, more women have found themselves in a position where they can support themselves hence seeing no need of engaging in a marriage relationship. Mismatch in philosophy is another major reason that has rendered most Americans to reconsider engaging in this important social institution. Women on their part are after men who are employed while on the other hand men are seeking for women who are ready to share in their childbearing values. Therefore, from the video, it would be right to assert that the economy and the availability of jobs, which are characteristics of political behavior, play a crucial role in influencing the institution of marriage.
The three main sociological perspectives include functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Each of these perspectives plays an important role in giving unique perspectives on the social institutions such as the family, education, and religion. The structural-functionalist model likens the society to a living organism which consists of several parts which work in synergy to enhance the overall functioning of the society. With regards to education, the functionalist theory emphasizes the importance of education in socialization and driving young people into achievement, equality of opportunity, and competition. The functionalist theory further asserts that the family is the basic unit of the society which plays a role in socialization and meeting the emotional demands of the members. It further explains religion as a tool of social cohesion and integration which strengthens the bonds people have with each other.
Lawler (2015) asserts that the conflict theory views education as an institution that creates social inequality. With regards to the family, the theory similarly asserts that the family works towards propagating social inequality through the maintenance of status quo. In religion, the conflict theory maintains the status quo by majoring in promises in the afterlife. Finally, the symbolic interactionist is premised on the perceptions of reality as opposed to the social institutions. Therefore, in the perspective of symbolic interactionism, family, education, and religion are based on how each person views them. The video, ‘’Why Fewer Americans Are Getting Married’’ uses the conflict theory to explain the inequalities in the society such as unemployment and lack of financial stability as the main reason why many people are abandoning the institution of marriage.
In conclusion, the society is made up of several social institutions that ensure that social order is maintained. They include religion, education, family, and marriage among others. The video ‘’Why Fewer Americans Are Getting Married’’ attempts to explain the crumbling of the institution of marriage in the American culture. The three sociological perspectives of functionalist, conflict and symbolic interactionism give different views on the social institutions. Finally, the social institutions have influenced me by ensuring that I am a holistic individual by passing through various life stages and also making sure that I adhere to the rules and norms of the society.
References
Lawler, S. (2015). Identity: sociological perspectives . John Wiley & Sons.
Why Are Fewer Americans Getting Married? Films on Demand. Films Media Group, 2011. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=7967&xtid=53399>.
