Chapter-3

Social Institution
A social institution is an organized system of social relationships, norms, roles,
and structures that meet the needs of individuals and society. These institutions
help to maintain order and stability by regulating behavior, fulfilling societal
functions, and guiding interactions in a predictable and structured way.

Characteristics of Social Institutions

1. Organized and Structured: Social institutions are stable and enduring sets
of norms and patterns that provide a structured way to meet the needs of
society. They are organized around specific functions (e.g., education,
family).
2. Regulate Behavior: Institutions establish norms and rules that govern the
behavior of individuals within society. These norms often carry both formal
(laws) and informal (social customs) sanctions.
3. Socially Enduring: Institutions tend to persist over time, adapting to
changes in society but maintaining their basic structure.
4. Shared by Society: These institutions are accepted and recognized by
members of society, providing continuity and cohesion.
5. Perform Vital Functions: Each social institution performs crucial roles to
ensure the survival and smooth functioning of society.

Types of Social Institutions

1. Family:
o The family is often considered the most basic social institution. It
plays a vital role in the socialization of children, care and support of
its members.
o Functions:
 Socialization: Teaching children norms, values, and roles.
 Emotional support: Providing love, companionship, and
psychological security.
 Economic cooperation: Sharing resources and providing
financial support.
 Reproduction: Ensuring the continuation of society by having
children.
 o Different societies have different family structures, such as nuclear
families (parents and children) or extended families (including
relatives like grandparents).
2. Education:
o The institution of education is responsible for transmitting knowledge,
skills, cultural values, and social norms to new generations.
o Functions:
 Socialization: Teaching norms, values, and civic responsibility.
 Skill development: Preparing individuals for participation in the
labor market.
 Social integration: Bringing together diverse groups through
shared learning experiences.
 Social mobility: Providing opportunities for individuals to
improve their social standing through education.
o In many societies, formal education is a key pathway to economic and
social mobility.
3. Economy:
o The economic institution organizes the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services.
o Functions:
 Production: Creating goods and services to meet the needs of
society.
 Distribution: Allocating resources, wealth, and labor.
 Employment: Providing opportunities for individuals to work
and earn an income.
 Economic exchange: Facilitating trade and commerce through
markets.
o The type of economy (capitalist, socialist, mixed, etc.) influences how
resources are distributed and how wealth and power are concentrated
within society.
4. Government/Politics:
o The political institution is responsible for maintaining order, enforcing
laws, and managing relations with other societies or states.
o Functions:
 Governance: Establishing rules and laws to regulate behavior.
 Protection: Ensuring the safety and security of citizens through
military and law enforcement.
 Administration: Providing services such as healthcare,
education, and infrastructure.
  Decision-making: Organizing the political processes through
elections, legislative bodies, and political parties.
o Governments can take many forms, such as democracies, monarchies,
authoritarian regimes, etc.
5. Religion:
o Religion as a social institution provides a system of beliefs, practices,
and moral guidelines that help individuals make sense of their
existence and the world around them.
o Functions:
 Social cohesion: Bringing people together through shared
beliefs and rituals.
 Moral guidance: Providing ethical codes and values that
regulate behavior.
 Comfort and meaning: Offering explanations for existential
questions and support during times of crisis.
 Social control: Reinforcing societal norms and laws through
religious teachings.
o Different societies have different dominant religions, and
secularization (decline in the influence of religion) is a trend in some
modern societies.
6. Healthcare:
o The healthcare institution is concerned with the well-being of
individuals, addressing issues related to illness, injury, and public
health.
o Functions:
 Prevention: Promoting health education and disease prevention.
 Treatment: Providing medical care for those who are sick or
injured.
 Health maintenance: Ensuring long-term health through
wellness programs.
 Public health: Protecting the population through vaccination,
sanitation, and disease control programs.
o Healthcare systems vary widely, from universal coverage in some
countries to privatized systems in others.

Functions of Social Institutions

1. Socialization: Institutions are responsible for teaching individuals the

norms, values, and behaviors necessary for functioning in society. For
 example, schools teach academic knowledge and social skills, while families
instill moral values and cultural traditions.
2. Social Control: Institutions maintain order by setting rules and expectations
for behavior. For instance, the legal system creates laws to regulate conduct,
and religious institutions provide moral frameworks to guide ethical
behavior.
3. Integration and Unity: Social institutions help integrate individuals into
society by creating a sense of belonging and shared identity. Religion, for
example, binds people together through common beliefs, while national
governments unify citizens through laws and national identity.
4. Stability and Continuity: Institutions ensure societal stability by fulfilling
essential functions consistently over time. For example, the family structure
supports children, while the economy produces goods and services for
societal needs.
5. Adaptation: Social institutions adapt to changing societal needs and
conditions. For example, educational systems evolve to include new
technology and methods, and political systems reform in response to shifts
in public opinion.

Evolution and Change in Social Institutions

Although social institutions are stable and enduring, they are not static. They
evolve over time in response to shifts in culture, technology, economic systems,
and social values. For example:

 Family: Traditional family structures have changed dramatically, with

increasing recognition of diverse family forms such as single-parent
households and cohabitation without marriage.
 Religion: The role of religion has changed in many modern societies due to
secularization and the rise of scientific explanations for phenomena once
explained through religious doctrines.
 Economy: The rise of the digital economy and globalization has
transformed economic institutions, changing how people work, how
businesses operate, and how wealth is distributed.

Examples of Social Institutions in Action

 Family in Different Cultures: In traditional rural societies, extended

families are often common, where several generations live together and
provide mutual support. In urbanized societies, nuclear families are more
 typical, where the emphasis is on immediate family members living
together.
 Education Systems: In Scandinavian countries like Finland, the education
system emphasizes equal access, well-being, and minimal standardized
testing. In contrast, the U.S. system relies heavily on standardized testing,
and educational quality varies widely by socioeconomic status and region.
 Healthcare Systems: In the U.K., healthcare is provided through a universal
system (the National Health Service), where medical care is funded by the
government. In contrast, in the U.S., healthcare is largely privatized, with a
mix of private insurance and government programs like Medicare and
Medicaid.

Conclusion

Social institutions are the backbone of society, shaping how individuals interact,
how power and resources are distributed, and how societal needs are met. By
organizing social life and providing stability, institutions play a crucial role in
maintaining the structure and functioning of societies. At the same time, they are
dynamic and evolve in response to social, cultural, and technological changes.
Understanding these institutions helps us comprehend the complexities of social
life and the ways in which people organize their collective lives.

Case 1: Family as a Social Institution

Case:
In a rural village, a joint family system is common. Several generations live together, and
decisions are made by the elders. Children learn respect and discipline from their elders, and
everyone shares household work.

Questions:
1️.Which type of family system is shown in this case?
2️. What are two functions of family as a social institution?
3️. How does family influence the socialization of children?

Answers:
1️. It is a joint family system.
2️. Functions:
✅ Provides emotional support
✅ Teaches values, norms, and traditions.
3️.Family teaches children social roles, values, and cultural traditions.
Case 2: Education as a Social Institution

Case:
A school in Dhaka not only teaches students how to read and write but also encourages
teamwork, discipline, and respect for others. Students learn to participate in group activities like
debates and sports.

Questions:
1️. What is the role of education as a social institution?
2️.Name one manifest and one latent function of education.
3️. How does education contribute to social integration?

Answers:
1️. Education transmits knowledge, develops skills, and prepares individuals for society.
2️. Manifest function: Teaching academic subjects
Latent function: Building social relationships (friendship, teamwork)
3️. Education brings people from different backgrounds together and teaches common values.

Case 3: Religion as a Social Institution

Case:
In a community, people gather in a mosque every Friday for prayers. It strengthens their bond
and gives them a sense of belonging. They follow religious teachings like honesty, charity, and
helping the poor.

Questions:
1️.What is the role of religion as a social institution?
2️. How does religion guide behavior in society?
3️. Give one positive and one negative impact of religion.

Answers:
1️.Religion provides moral guidance, social solidarity, and answers to life’s big questions.
2️. Religion encourages ethical behavior like honesty, kindness, and charity.
3️.
✅ Positive: Builds a sense of community and teaches values.
❌ Negative: Sometimes leads to conflict or intolerance between different groups.

Case 4: Economy as a Social Institution

Case:
In a market town, people buy and sell goods every day. Farmers sell vegetables, shopkeepers sell
groceries, and customers come to buy. The market connects producers and consumers.

Questions:
1️. What is the function of economy as a social institution?
2️. How does economy fulfill human needs?
3️. Give an example of an economic activity.

Answers:
1️.The economy manages the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and
services.
2️. Economy helps people meet their basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
3️. Example: Selling vegetables, working in a factory, or running a business.

Case 5: Politics as a Social Institution

Case:
Before an election, political leaders in a city make promises to improve roads, create jobs, and
provide healthcare. After the election, the elected party forms the government and makes laws
for the country.

Questions:
1️. What is the function of politics as a social institution?
2️. How does political institution maintain social order?
3️. Give one example of a political right of citizens.

Answers:
1️. Politics organizes leadership, law-making, and governance.
2️. By making laws and enforcing them, politics maintains social order.
3️. Right to vote in elections.

Applied Case 1: Family and Decision-Making

Question:
Rina is 18 years old and wants to study in Dhaka. Her parents insist she should get married
instead. How does this reflect the role of the family as a social institution?

Answer:
This case shows that the family, as a social institution, influences life decisions such as
education, marriage, and career. The family acts as a decision-making unit, often guided by
cultural values and traditions. In Rina’s case, the family is prioritizing traditional norms over
her educational aspirations, reflecting how families shape social roles and gender expectations
in society.
Applied Case 2: Education and Social Change

Question:
In a rural village, a new school was opened, and many girls started attending. Over the years,
women in the village began working in offices and earning their own income. How does this
reflect the role of education in social change?

Answer:
This shows that education, as a social institution, plays a crucial role in social change by
empowering individuals, especially women, with knowledge and skills. It challenges traditional
gender roles and promotes economic independence and equality. The village’s transformation
demonstrates how education leads to social mobility and helps break down traditional barriers.

Applied Case 3: Religion and Community Bonding

Question:
During Eid, people in a community gather to pray, share food, and help the poor. How does
religion function as a social institution in this scenario?

Answer:
Religion acts as a social institution by creating community bonds and promoting values like
charity, unity, and social harmony. In this scenario, religious practices bring people together,
reinforcing social solidarity and encouraging cooperative behavior. It also provides a sense of
belonging and moral guidance.

Applied Case 4: Economy and Employment

Question:
In a small town, a factory was shut down, causing many workers to lose their jobs. What impact
does this have on the economic institution and society?

Answer:
The economy, as a social institution, manages the production and distribution of goods. When
the factory closed, it led to unemployment, affecting people’s income and livelihood. This
situation can increase poverty, cause social stress, and lead to problems like migration and
crime. It shows how the economy directly affects the well-being of society.

Applied Case 5: Political Institution and Law-Making

Question:
A law was passed in Bangladesh making it illegal for children under 14 to work in factories.
How does this show the function of the political institution?

Answer:
This shows that the political institution creates laws to protect social welfare. By making child
labour illegal, the government is ensuring children’s rights, promoting education, and
safeguarding their health. This reflects how the political institution shapes society by setting
rules and policies for the common good.

Applied Case 6: Interdependence of Social Institutions

Question:
In a village, schools were closed during the pandemic. As a result, many children had to work to
support their families. What does this case show about the relationship between education,
family, and economy?

Answer:
This case highlights the interdependence of social institutions. When education (school) stops
functioning, families may face financial pressure, forcing children into child labour to support
the family’s income. This also affects the economic institution, as uneducated children may face
limited job opportunities in the future. It shows that a problem in one institution affects other
parts of society.