Characteristics of The Rural Society: Exercise No: 1
Characteristics of The Rural Society: Exercise No: 1
Man is influenced by his total environment. Rural and Urban society have their
characteristics and qualities that influence the life of the people in the rural and urban areas. The
characteristics of the Rural society which may be studied under the following heads:
1. Too much nearness to nature:
We all know that the Rural Society is more or less an unpolluted society. It is nearer to
nature and does not suffer from the artificialities that are to be found in the urban society. Rural
society is full of the elements of nature and is also influenced by the philosophy of nature, trees,
plants, and birds from part of the rural life. In fact all these things make the rural life very
attractive. That is why Rural Society is said to be set in the background of the nature.
2. Agriculture being main occupation:
In Rural Society people mainly live on agriculture. Rural Society and agriculture are
more or less synonymous. The entire economic structure of the Rural Society is based on
agriculture. Due to agriculture, people have different values and different norms, because
agriculture society has a different type of culture.
3. Small size of the Society:
Urban society is very large and complicated one. As compared to it, Rural society is quite
small in size and simple on structure. Because of this small size inter communication is possible.
This changes the whole pattern of the urban way of life.
4. Less density of population:
In Rural areas the population is quite sparse. Because of the lesser number of people in
the rural areas, greater relationship between the people is possible. This changes the whole
pattern of the social structure in the rural areas.
5. Similarity and dissimilarity of the population:
Rural Society has mutually contradictory characteristics of similarity and dissimilarity in
population. Most of the people are in agriculture and therefore there is good deal of similarity in
the people live in the rural areas. On the other hand people of different castes and also belonging
to different cultural patterns live there and because of this there is a good deal of dissimilarity. In
spite of this dissimilarity in the groups of people living, there is no complexity in the structure of
the society.
6. Lack of social mobility:
People living in the rural areas are not socially mobile. Generally they do not move from
one social status to another and also do not change their occupation. Because of the lack of social
mobility the speed of social change in the Rural Society is very low.
7. Social inter- action:
In Rural Society, the process of social inter-action is not at all organized. In spite of the
lack of social interaction, there is a good deal of nearness amongst the people living in Rural
Society. Social activities like co-operation, conflict interference etc. is very much to be found in
the Rural Society. It means that on the other hand people living in the rural areas are very near to
one another and on the other they are also opposed to one another.
8. Traditional Social Stratification:
In Rural Society, there is the traditional social stratification, based on the Caste System.
Those who belong to the higher caste are considering as higher, while those belonging to the
lower caste are considering lower.
9. Social unity:
In Rural Society, the element of unity is present in every aspect. The basis of unity is not
formal but informal people living in rural areas have common objects, common experiences and
sometimes common characteristics, and because of these common factors they live in unity.
Exercise:
1. Define brainstorming?
2. Do the brainstorming on the characteristics of Rural Society.
3. List out the outcome of the brainstorming in your record.
4. Write down the differences in characteristics among Rural and Urban Society.
Exercise:
1. Write the advantages and disadvantages of different data collection methods.
2. Write the difference between survey and questionnaire.
3. If you have any experience in data collection, write an essay about it.
Scattered throughout India are approximately 5, 00,000 villages. The census of India
regards most settlements of fewer than 5,000 as a village. These settlements range from tiny
hamlets of thatched huts to larger settlements of tiled-roofed stone and brick houses. Most
villages are small; nearly 80 percent have fewer than 1000 inhabitants, according to 1991 census.
Most are nucleated settlements, while others are more dispersed. It is in villages that India’s most
basic business- agriculture- takes place. Here, in the face of vicissitudes of all kinds, farmers
follow time –tested as well as innovative methods of growing wheat, rice, lentils, vegetables,
fruits, and many other crops in order to accomplish the challenging task of feeding themselves
and the nation. Here, too, flourish many of India’s most valued cultural forms.
Viewed from a distance, an Indian village may appear deceptively simple. In actuality,
Indian village life is far from simple. Each village is connected through a variety of crucial
horizontal linkages with other villages and with urban areas both near and far. Most villages are
characterized by a multiplicity of economic, caste, occupational and even religious groups linked
vertically with in each settlement.
According to pattern of settlement, the following classification is given
Village settlement
Scattered settlement
Cross-road settlement
Line settlement
Circular settlement
Regional settlement
Throughout most of India, village dwellings are built very close to one another in a
nucleated settlement, with small lane for passage of people and sometimes carts. Village fields
surround the settlement and are generally within easy walking distance. In hilly tracts of central,
eastern, and for northern India, dwellings are more spread out, reflecting the nature of
topography. In the wet states of West Bengal and Kerala, houses are more dispersed; in some
parts of Kerala, they are constructed in continuous lines, with divisions between villages not
obvious to visitors.
In northern and central India, neighborhoods boundaries can be vague. The houses of
Dalits are generally located in separate neighborhoods or on the outskirts of the nucleated
settlement, but there are seldom distinct Dalit hamlets. By contrast, in the south, where
socioeconomic contrasts and caste pollution observances tend to be stronger than in the north,
Brahman homes may be set apart from those of non-Brahmans, and Dalit hamlets are set at a
little distance from the homes of other castes.
The number of castes resident in a single village can vary widely, from one to more than
forty. Typically, a village is dominated by one or a very few castes that essentially control the
village land and on whose patronage members of weaker groups must rely. In many areas of the
south, Brahmans are major landowners, along with some other relatively high-ranking castes.
Generally, land, prosperity, and power go together.
In some regions, land owners refrain from using plows themselves but hire tenant farmers
and laborers do this work. In other regions, landowners till the soil with the aid of laborers,
usually resident in the same village. Fellow villagers typically include representatives of various
service and artisan castes to supply the needs of the villagers- priests, carpenters, blacksmiths,
barbers, weavers, potters, oil pressers, sweepers, leatherworkers, water bearers, toddy tappers
and so on. Village religious observances and weddings are occasions for the members of various
castes to provide customary ritual goods and services in order for the events to proceed
according to proper tradition. In villages near urban areas, an increasing number of people
commute to the cities to take up jobs, and many migrate. Some migrants leave their families and
go to the cities to work for months at a time.
At slack seasons, village life can appear to be sleepy, but usually villages are humming
with activity. The work ethic is strong, with little time out for relaxation, except for numerous
divinely sanctioned festivals and rite- of –passage celebrations. Residents are quick to judge each
other, and improper work or social habits receive strong criticism. Villages feel a sense of village
pride and honor, and the reputation of village depends upon the behavior of all of its residents.
Exercise:
1. What is the settlement pattern of your village?
2. Explain the different village settlement patterns discussed in your practical class?
7. Degree of Commercialization:
Now 30 years before
S.No Particulars Yes No Yes No
1. Market accessibility within 2 km
2. More than 5 shops in the village
3. Year round bus services available in
the village
8. Degree of factionalism:
Now 30 years before
S.No Particulars Yes No Yes No
1. Religion
2. Caste
3. Class
4. Clan
5. Political groups
Data:
Data is a collection of information.
PRA tools:
Diagram
A diagram presents information in a readily understood visual form and has a dual use.
First, the act of constructing a diagram is in itself an analytical procedure, which enables those
preparing it to understand clearly the dynamics they are trying to record. Second, the diagram
becomes a tool of communication and discussion among different people.
i) Map:
This is very useful for creating an alternative database for the design of the village plan
by the local people. People can draw maps of their village and locate the services, facilities and
infrastructure according to the availability and access to different groups, thus facilitating the
identification of needs, problems and solutions. Different village groups can draw different maps
to depict their perceptions, problems and needs. A number of maps by all sections of people in a
village can help in prioritizing and preparing village plans of action.
People in the village can draw maps on the ground, floor or on paper (these can later be
transferred to paper by the facilitator/PRA actor). Social, demographic, health, natural resources
or farm maps can be drawn to construct three- dimensional models of their land. The part to be
played by the decentralized development actors in this exercise is that of patient listening and
motivating people to participate by accepting and respecting their knowledge.
ii) Transect:
Can be used to substantiate and support a map. A transect is a systematic walk with
villagers through the village, observing, listening to villagers descriptions, asking relevant
questions, discussing ideas, identifying different zones, local technologies, seeking problems,
solutions and finally, diagramming/mapping the transect walk and its findings. This helps to:
Build rapport with local people
Substantiate and support the diagrammed facts, and
Identify locations of the problems and opportunities for development.
Seasonal Calendar:
A seasonal calendar is a participatory tool to explore seasonal changes (e.g. gender-
specific workload, diseases, income, expenditure etc. The main objective is to learn about
changes in livelihoods over the year and to show the seasonality of agricultural and non
agricultural workload, food availability, human diseases, gender-specific income and
expenditure, water, forage, credit and holidays.
Key Questions:
1. What are the busiest month of the year?
2. At what time of the year is food scarce?
3. How does income vary over the year for men and women?
4. How does expenditure vary over the year for men and women?
5. How does rainfall vary over the year?
6. How does water availability for human consumption vary over the year?
7. How does livestock forage availability vary over the year?
8. How does credit availability vary over the year?
9. When are holidays and how many days in which month?
10. When are most agricultural work carried out by women?
11. When are most agricultural work carried out by men?
12. When is most non-agricultural work carried out by women?
13. When is most non-agricultural work carried out by men?
14. Which could be the most appropriate season for additional activities for men and women?
Time Lines:
A list of key events in the history of the community that helps identify post trends, events,
problems, and achievements in its life. The time line helps the team to understand what local or
national events the community considers to be important in its history. The time line is prepared
through discussion with a small groups or elders. The significant events in the history of the
community hitherto kept in oral form are now documented.
Venn diagram
A Venn diagram shows the relationship between individuals, groups and institutions in a
community as perceived by the people. It is made up of touching or overlapping circles of
various sizes, with each circle representing an individual or institution. The size of the circle
indicates the degree of contact or inclusion in decision making. This will help in the formulation
and implementation of development initiatives at the local level, as well as in identifying
marginalized individuals/group in the community.
Exercise:
1. Write your experience in gathering data through PRA tools and Schedule.
Exercise no: 6 Collection of data using the Interview Schedule
Exercise
1. Write your experiences in gathering information using interview schedule.
Report writing can be described as a career skill. Not only it is a task that forms part of an
increasing number of business jobs, but also it can make a huge difference to how you are
perceived and even how well you get on in your career. Today, good communication skills and
the ability to write effective reports are essential competencies for every successful business
persons.
Style is the most nebulous area of report writing. It is very easy to criticize a writer’s
style as ‘poor’ or ‘inappropriate’; what is not so easy is to specify the stylistic improvements that
should be encouraged.
Style
To be completely successful, a report which makes recommendations must ensure that the
persons for whom the report is intended.
Read it without unnecessary delay.
Understand everything in it without undue effort.
Accept the facts, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Decide to take the action recommended.
Achieving this demands more of you than merely presenting relevant facts accurately. It
also demands that you communicate in a way that is both acceptable and intelligible to the
readers.
Selectivity
Careful choice of words can enable you to convey many subtleties of meaning.
Accuracy
Check that everything you write is factually accurate. The facts should be capable pf
being verified. Moreover, arguments should be soundly based and your reasoning should be
logical. You should not write anything that will misinform, mislead or unfairly persuade your
readers. If you do, you will be doing a disservice not only to yourself but also to your department
and organization. Accurate information is essential for effective communication and decision
making.
Objectivity
A report should not be an essay reflecting personal emotions and opinions. You must look
at all sides of a problem with an open mind before stating your conclusions.
Making it clear that you have an open mind when writing your report will, in most cases,
make your conclusions and recommendations more acceptable to your readers. The emphasis,
therefore, should be on the factual material presented and the conclusions drawn, rather than on
any personal beliefs, biases or prejudices.
Conciseness
Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered). That is how Julius Caesar reported his visit
to our shores. While none your reports will be as short as this, you should aim to keep them
concise. In doing this, do not make mistake brevity for conciseness. A report may be brief
because it omits important information. A concise report, on the other hand, is short but still
contains all essential details.
To ensure you do not include material which can safely be left out, you should not ask:
‘Can this information be included?’ rather, you should ask: ‘Is it necessary for this information to
be included?’
Clarity and Consistency
The best way to achieve clarity in your writing is to allow some time to elapse between
the first draft and its revision. Try to leave it over the weekend, or at least overnight. If you are
really under pressure and this is simply not possible, at least leave it over a lunch or a coffee
break. It is essential to have a period of time, no matter how short, when you can think of other
things. In this way, when you come back to your report, you can look at it with a degree of
objectivity.
Simplicity
Usually, if your writing is selective, accurate, objective, concise, clear and consistent, it
will also be as simple as it can be. You should guard against over simplifying, for example to the
point of missing out information which the reader needs to fully understand what you are trying
to say. You should again keep your readers firmly in mind and keep asking yourself whether or
not they will be able to follow the logic of your perception.
Avoid pointless words
Some words and phrases- like basically, actually, undoubtedly, each and every one and
during the course of our investigation- keep cropping up in reports. Yet they add nothing to the
message and often can be removed without changing the meaning or the tone. Try leaving them
out of your writing. You will find your sentences survive, succeed and may even flourish without
them.
Exercise
1. Mention the difficulties in reporting the data.
Exercise no: 9 Psychological Behavior of Farming Community.
The sociologists have used various terms in order to classify various behavior of farming
community.
Customs are socially prescribed forms of behavior transmitted by tradition and enforced by
social disapproval of its violation (nothing doing).
Folkways are expected forms of behavior but are not rigidly enforced. Examples of good
folkways are: good manners, entering home only after removing of shoes, greeting others with
folded hands.
Mores are the socially acceptable ways of behavior that do involve moral standards (regulations)
and violation of more may result in severe social action or sanction, such as ostracism (exclusion
of individual or family from the village or society). Religion provides foundation for mores of
the society. Examples of mores: inter- dining of high- caste Hindus with out-caste Hindus,
Saluting the National flag Standing during the playing of National Anthem, Monogamy.
Ritual is prescribed form of behavior for certain occasions and certain actions are designated in
prescribed manner. Ritual may be defined as a pattern of behavior or ceremony, which has
become the customary way of dealing with certain situations. Examples of rituals are: playing
with crackers on ‘Diwali’, celebration of Independence Day.
Conventions are customs regulating more significant social behavior. Parents instruct their
children the conventions though they (parents) cannot explain why the child must confirm.
Examples of conventions: Being polite to others, Wearing cloths in public, Using knife, Spoon or
fork for eating.
Values are relative importance or preferences we give to any object, idea or content of
experience etc. Value is defined as anything desired or chosen by someone. Values are the
attitudes, held by the individuals, groups or society as a whole, as to whether material or non
material objects are good, bad, desirable or undesirable.
Attitude is a positive or negative feeling one has towards any psychological object. Attitudes are
based up on values and attitudes influence our action positively or negatively. Hence they are
covert and not overt value system. The values in terms of attitudes taken together as a set form a
system, which is called value system of society. Example prestige based on caste of individual,
status based up on individual’s possession of land etc.
Norms are the accepted and approved forms of behavior that are based on and consistent with
dominant social values in society. The values and norms go together. Examples of norms:
observance of religious festivals and performance of rituals and worship and other relevant
activities are important norms of society towards the value.
Major values prevailing in the rural society or social values in Indian rural society:
1. Importance of ascribed (given by somebody) status: Status of individual is decided by the
group to which he belongs. There is an established order of hierarchy of castes in the Indian
society.
2. Recognition of inequality: Caste is still a guiding factor. There are inequalities based on the
concept of higher and lower castes which are manifested (brought out) in many ways.
3. Patriarchal tendency: father is the head of the family. Eldest male member of family has
supreme power and tends to act autocratically.
4. Status of women: There is a tendency towards giving greater respect and recognition to
women, but they are supposed to be inferior to men. As far as their sphere of work is
concerned it is mostly restricted to home management.
5. Greater male dominance: Boys receive greater attention than girls. Eg. It is general attitude
of parents that daughter(s) need not be highly educated.
6. Adherence to well regulated sex relations.
7. Charity: There is religious significance and approval for the giving of alms (something or
money or food item given freely to poor).a person with a charitable disposition is respected.
8. Tendency of non- violence: Killing of animals expect for the purpose of food is considered to
be immoral.
9. Respect for old aged and elders: There are fixed norms which guide the behavior of
individuals towards elders, superiors and old persons.
10. Religious attitude: People in rural areas are religious. Performance of rituals and
ceremonies are common in the traditional way.
Social control is the way in which social order coheres (join together) and maintains itself, hoe it
operates as a whole as a changing equilibrium (balance). Social control is the sum of those
methods by which a society tries to influence human behavior to maintain a given oreder.
Exercise
1. Explain the behavior that you have observed among the farming communities.
The term ‘institution’ is used to indicate the procedures followed by social organizations.
These procedures may be formal or informal, which define and regulate actions of members of
social organizations. The Major Social institutions are
Social problems in India require deep insight into the rich heritage and culture of the country.
It is deep rooted in the Indian heritage and from that is has outgrown to a serious crime
prevailing within the boundaries.
India is certainly one of the fastest developing nations of the world. It has been more than
half a century ago that the country gained independence and become a republic but sadly the
freedom of thought and freedom of life is not enjoyed by all even today. However, issues rooted
in our colonial past, cultural processes, socio economic changes, and certain advancements have
together led to experiencing a variety of problems.
At present, poverty, gender discrimination, and unemployment are the most distressing social
evils in India that has weaken the growth factor of the society. At one end we say economy is
progressing at a soaring rate but the truth remains that in certain sections of the country, people
are deprived of their basic requirements like food, water, and shelter. Poverty in India is a
dehumanizing condition that snatches away the right to fulfill the necessary resource of life.
Gender discrimination is undoubtedly one of those social problems in India that is causing an
uncertain imbalance in the society. Issues like girl infanticide, exploitation, illiteracy, maternal
mortality, and dowry deaths are throbbing discrimination women of India are subjected to. In all
the fields and phases of life women are becoming the key targets of various kinds of atrocities.
Unemployment is another issue that is pushing many people under the poverty line. With
increasing price of necessary resources of life, unemployed people are unable to fetch themselves
and families. Increasing competition in the business and job sector is aggravating the conditions
of unemployment in India.
Further to that social evil in India like corruption, illiteracy, and urbanization is also making
the condition of worst for people living in the Indian society. All these social issues need a
careful analysis and demand rational solution to help the society grow in all possible ways.
There has to be an end to these social problems in India or else the growth and development
of the country will be at sake.
Exercise no: 15
Preparation of Interview Schedule on village leaders and visit to study village
leaders.
2 Gives evidence of
sound decisions
3 Usually well
balanced
emotionally
4 Co-operates
willingly when
others direct