Social Institutions

Introduction:  A social institution is an organised forms of customs ,dogmas, rituals, procedures & relations – organised around the preservation of a basic societal value. Each social institution depends on certain established rules and usages which are recognised & accepted by the members of the society. These rules and regulations govern the relations b/w individuals and groups.

Definition of social institution

• Ginsberg defines social institutions as definite & sanctioned forms or modes of relationships between social beings in respect to one another outing to or to some extent object.
• Mclver defined an institution as the, “established forms or conditions of procedure characteristic of group activity.” 

Examples of social institutions : Marriage, family, education, religion etc. are ex of social institutions.

Characteristics of (Social) Institutions:  

1. Every institution has some definite objectives or goals which are to be achieved by the members of the institution.
2. Every institution is governed by certain rules and regulations which are equally binding on all members of the institution.
3. There are certain definite procedures followed in the work of the institution.
4. The continuity of the institution depends upon the collective endeavour of its members.
5. Institutions are one of the means of controlling people in society and compared to other means of social control, institutions are comparatively stable.
6. Every institution in a society is formed primarily to fulfil the needs of the individuals of the society.

Types of Social institutions

• Primary Social institution : Sociologists often reserve the term ‘institution’ to describe normative systems that operate in five basic areas of life, which may be designated as the primary institutions.
  1. In determining kinship;
  2. In providing for the legitimate use of power;
  3. In regulating the distribution of goods and services;
  4. In transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next; and
  5. In regulating our relation to the supernatural. 

These five basic institutions are c/l the family, govt/ state,economy, education & religion respectively.

• Secondary Social institutions: derived from each of these five primary social institutions. For ex:
  1. 2° institutions derived from family :  marriage, divorce, monogamy, polygamy etc.
  2. 2°  institutions derived from religion : temple, mosque, church etc. 
  3. 2°  institutions derived from education : school, college etc.
  4. 2°  institutions derived from state : democracy, Parliament etc.
  5. 2°  institutions derived from economy : trade and commerce, Immovable and movable property etc.

Importance of Social institutions

1. These are media for proper working culture in society and passing on of culture through generations.
2. Medium of passing on of morals, ideals, knowledge and behaviours etc. from one generation to other.
3. Medium of control of human behaviour.
4. Guide to younger generation to solve their problems.

Conclusion: A social institution never becomes extinct. New institutional rules and regulations may replace the old,but the institution goes on.