Rural-social Institution: Concept and Function
“An institution is an abstraction referring to the aspects of a culture which satisfy some fundamental function of a society”(Rogers).
“An institution is an organized system of social relationship which embodies certain common values and procedures and meet s certain basic needs of society”(Horton,1964).
“An institution is a relatively permanent structure of social patterns of role and relations that people enact in certain sanctioned and unified ways for the purpose of satisfying basic social needs “(Fitcher,1964).
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Institutionalization:
- This is a process of establishing so called approved practices/rules or norms so that expected/set activities or associated functions could be carried out in a sustained way.
- Social institutions could sustain in the society due to institutionalization process. Besides, institutionalization also helps to promote functioning /development of social norms, values in the society.
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Function of institution
- Institution transfers cultural elements from one generation to another
- It introduces unity in human behaviour
- It controls their conduct and guides human beings according to circumstances to individual
- It brings social harmony in the society
- Institution guides the way to the individual
The major institutions of society are Family, religious, economic, educational and government /political institution.