Evaluating the Social Institution (Essay Sample)

SOCIAL INSTITUTION
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Social Institution
Most people understand that institution is a building, hospital for the mentally challenged and school. However, sociologists refer institution as a social institution found in the structures of the society (McCormack et al., 2018, p. 131). They define social institution as integrated set of embedded social rules that shape our behavior and interaction with other people. According to McCormack et al. (2018, p. 131), these social rules can be either upheld by formal or informal institutions. Formal institutions are enforced by official agencies such as the judiciary while informal institutions are enforced outside the official agencies. They include cultural customs and often taken for granted. There are four key social institutions consisting of family, education, media and work, that controls the way we behave and interact with other people. They vary the way they function in different places and time. For example, the way education functioned centuries ago differs from how it works currently. They are vital in a person’s social life. Socialization can be defined as culture is learned. It helps when it comes to successfully functioning in the society. Social institutions provide socialization experiences. There are various roles social institutions play in socialization and they are discussed below.
Family is considered the most important socialization agent. Young children are dependent on their parents or guardians, be it for food, shelter, protection and other needs. There are three different types of families namely, single parent, nuclear and extended families (Agents of Socialization | Introduction to Sociology, no date). Every parent has his or her own views and perspectives of how to expose their children to socialization aspects. Aspects such as religion, social class as well as race have been identified by sociologists to play an important role when it comes to socialization. According to National Opinion Research Center (2008), when raising their children, rich families usually teach creativity and judgement while poor families teach the importance of obedience. Nuclear families are commonly assumed to be the most stable emotionally and economically in child development and growth (McCormack et al., 2018, pp. 132-134). Today, diverse family forms such as same sex parents, single mothers are widely accepted compared to the past, where they were judged and treated differently from others. Family is categorized as an informal institution as it is not enforced by the official agents. Not only does a family give sense of identity to a child but also values, traditions, culture and ensures social order that helps the child to become an acceptable member of the society. The environment in which parents bring up their children influences how they will turn out. Parents should choose a good and healthy environment as well as get to know the people surrounding their children so as to ensure they do not negatively influence their children.
Education is a social institution that prepares an individual to become an important person in the society. It instills knowledge, norms, values, and life expectations (Sharma 2017). The education system varies in every nation of the world. Long ago, education was only offered to boys from wealthy families. Many people believed that educating children from poor families will cause more harm than good. However, these negative views changed and both boys and girls were given the chance to go to school. Today, education is compulsory is more advanced due to the readily available resources. It preserves and shares knowledge as well as help in the growth of an individual’s mentality and state (Yureva 2019). Children are taught about their nation’s historical events, geography and heritage. They also learn history of other nations. Through education, individuals acquire skills that is required in their professionalism. Furthermore, a person learns social skills such as obeying those in authority as well as respecting others when interacting with the teachers, school staff and students. The way students adhere to school routines, follow instruction by listening to their teachers and interacting with other students shapes the way will behave with their bosses and colleagues in their professions. Furthermore, we tend to meet our peers in schools. They have a great influence on individuals allow them to create relationships without the influence of their parents and teachers. They can positively or negatively affect the behaviors of people.