Pakistani Society and Culture

Contents
Course Outline
1. Introduction
a) Definition of society
b) Characteristics of Pakistani Society
c) Social stratification, caste, class and ethnicity
d) Social institutions in Pakistan
I. Family
II. Religion
III. Economy
IV. Politics
V. Educational
VI. Recreational

2. Educational Dynamics
a) Illiteracy
b) Literacy
c) Universal primary education concept
d) Schools: technical and Higher Education
e) Status of Formal and Informal education

3. Historical Perspective of Pakistani Culture

a) Culture of Punjab
b) Culture of Sindh
c) Culture of NWFP
d) Culture of Balochistan
e) Culture of Kashmir & Northern Areas

4. Urban and Rural Divisions of Pakistan

a) Rural Society
b) Urban Society

5. Minority and Their Belief

6. Major Social Problems
7. Major Occupation and Production Activities

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Meaning of Society

The English word society emerged in the 15th century and is derived from the French society. The French
word in turn has its origin in the Latin societas, a friendly association with others. Fransocius, meaning
companion, associate, and comrade, or business partner. The Latin word is probably related to the verb
sequi, to follow, and thus originally may have meant follower.

Society

Society or human society is the manner or condition in which the members of a community live together for
their mutual benefit. By extension, society denotes the people or region of our country. Sometimes even
the world is taken as a whole. Used in the sense of an association, a society is a body of individuals outlined
by the bounds of functional interdependence, possibly comprising characteristics such as national or
cultural identity, social solidarity, language, or hierarchical organization. Human societies are characterized
by patterns of relationship between individuals sharing a distinctive culture and institutions. Like other
communities or groups, a society allows its members to achieve needs or wishes they could not fulfill alone.

A society, however, may be ontologically independent of, and utterly irredeemable to the qualities of
constituents and individuals. It may act to oppress the urbanization and rationalization inherent in some
particularly Western or capitalist societies has been associated with feelings of socialization and social
anomies.

Legal definition of society is as

group of people formed in a separate organization and which has a settled purpose, some charitable or
benevolent purpose, either in regards to the public or at large, or in regards to the common interest of the
members and which operates as nearly as possible at cost.

More broadly, a society is an economic, social, or industrial structure made up of a varied collection of
individuals. Members of a society may be different from ethnic groups. A society may be a particular ethnic
group such as Saxons, a nation-state such as Bhutan, a broader cultural group such as a Western society.
The word society may also refer to an organized, ordinary association of people for religious, benevolent,
cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes of the extended family, following are some

Characteristics of Pakistani society.

1. Religion --- The basis of Pakistani

Society, the influence of religion can be seen dominating all aspects of Pakistani society. Pakistan was made
in the name of Islam. The people are usually religious-minded, and they get united when there is a matter
of religious importance. Islamic education is considered mandatory for the children from the beginning.
Though some families have adopted Western ways of life, yet the majority of the families in all classes of
the society have Islamic colors in their routine activities of life. February festivities of Islamic culture, like
the celebration of Ramadan and Eid, are an essential part of Pakistani society. The color of religion is
stronger in the villages of Pakistan than in its city life.

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In the name of honor, in some families, the girls are not given proper food and the boys are given more
shares in the food. The girls are not sent to schools and even if they are sent, they are made overburdened
both with the schoolwork as well as household chores.

2. Joint Family System

In Pakistan, mostly there is a joint family system in which there are grandparents, uncles, aunties, and lots
of cousins. Although the family system is undergoing a radical change with a greater influence of media and
education, but people of Pakistan do not feel this change is a good one because while living in a joint family
system, a lot of emotional attachment enhances and they feel that by separating in the neutral family
system, their relations will be damaged and family ties will be weakened. Lots of research work has been
done in this regard in Pakistan. Researchers highlighted various issues at household level which creates
disturbance and unrest in the society. The joint family system is basically a form of organization. In this
organization, there are defined norms and values to be followed strictly by all the members. All the
members have their defined tasks and responsibilities to perform. There is equal share of each and every
member of the family in the available resources in the form of money, food, and other requirements. If all
the requirements and regulations of the organization are fulfilled impartially, then it is the most successful
system, but unfortunately, this does not happen definitely. It is impossible for any human being to stuck
with the defined strict norms and values even in his or her own home where he or she wants to take rest
and live freely according to his own will after completion of his or her duties, which are in current era are
much tough and busy.

3. Conservatism.

Pakistani society is very conservative in its approach. There is very low ratio of adaptability towards change.
The people are reluctant to adopt new techniques of education and living. They are still clinging to the old
methods of living. A large segment of society thinks that if they take anything from West, they will be doing
sin as they consider West as the enemy of Islam, especially the people in the villages are very conservative
in their approach. They are against any change in their established patterns and customs. Sir Charles
Metcalfe once wrote about conservatism of the villages. Dynasties humble down. Revolution succeeds
revolution. Hindu, Bataan, Mughal, Sikh, English, all the masters change in turn, but the village communities
remain the same.

4. Group Feelings

In Takhtari society, there is a strong feeling of belonging to a specific group, especially in the villages. Group
feeling is progressive in the cities. The Panchayat system is also the outcome of the group feeling in the
villages of Punjab. Same is the status of Jirga.

5. Poverty

Poverty is a widespread impact on society and is particularly predominant in rural areas. Nearly two-thirds
of the population and 80% of the country’s poor people live in rural parts of the country. Agriculture is at
the heart of the rural economy, and most rural people rely on agriculture for their livelihood, but for many
of the poorest rural people Income depends on non-farm sources. The incidence of poverty varies between
rural and urban areas, and from one province to the next, poverty is widely and evenly distributed in many

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mountainous parts of the country where communities are small, scattered, and isolated, and where there
are few or major urban centers. The rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem make cultivation difficult, lack of
access to markets and services has contributed to chronic poverty in these areas, although obviously a
major role in the household economy and in providing care for the families. They are particularly
vulnerable, despite improvement in economic conditions after recent reforms, there are still broad
disparities in social standing between men and women. Women can fever, they have limited economic
options and less access to social services, they have high rates of illiteracy, and their burden of labor
increases significantly when poor levels affect cultural productivity force men to migrate to find work.

6. Illiteracy

Is one of the prominent characteristics of Pakistani society. Main causes are that urban areas in Pakistan are
less whereas rural areas are more. Rural areas are not developed and most of the rural areas don’t have
schools. And if they do, then they are a very low standard. In many areas, people don’t send their daughters
to school as they believe it is worthless to send them. It is just a waste of money. Some people are
brainwashed who believe that education is against Islam. Basically, they are following the Muslims who had
said this before independence of Pakistan.

7. Simplicity.

The people in the villages of Pakistan lead a very simple life. Their needs and necessities are not very
complex and complicated. The people are away from the hassles and bustles of city life. Overall, the people
in Pakistani society are very simple and peace loving. They are very hospitable and caring.

8. Caste System

Caste barriers have almost relaxed in Pakistani large cities, though they persist in rural areas of the country.
Nevertheless, the caste system in various forms continues to survive in modern Pakistan, strengthened by a
combination of social perceptions and decisive politics. The caste system is largely used as a vote-baying
during elections. Those who are referred to as Ashrafiyas are presumed to have a superior status. Some of
the backward or lower-caste Muslim communities include Ansari, Kunjra, Churshahara, and Dubi. The
upper-caste Muslim communities include Syed, Sheikh, Patan, Khan, and Malik. Genetic data has also
supported this stratification. Interactions between the UnchiZaat, upper caste, and MichiZaat, lower caste,
are regulated by established patron-client relationships of the Jajmani system. The upper caste being
referred to as Jajman and the lower caste as Kamil. Unlike the Hindu caste system, the caste system found
amongst Muslims was never rigid. The social stratification among Muslims in the Swat area of North
Pakistan has been meaningfully compared to the caste system in India. The society is rigidly divided into
sub-groups where each Qaum is assigned a profession. Different Qaums are not permitted to intermarry or
live in the same community. These Muslim practices are a ritual-based system of social stratification. The
Qaums who deal with human emissions are ranked the lowest. In spite of the fact that there are certain
benefits in the caste system, the caste life features in South Asian Muslim society are a flagrant violation of
the Quranic and the world view.

9. Mixed Culture

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Pakistani culture is a mixed culture, although majority of the people are Muslim, Zagbor and Bait, yet there
is great influence of Hindu and British culture on the present Pakistani society.

10. Respect for Elders

In Pakistani society, we find that there still exists shillab and respect for elders, unlike the Western societies
where old parents are sent to the old homes, old people are respected and taken care of in Pakistan. They
enjoy the family life with their grandchildren, their daughters and sons do not consider them a burden. No
doubt these values are shattering nowadays, especially in the cities, but in religions we find old people are
respected and viewed as ordained by our religion.

11. Observance of Moral Norms

Our society still observes certain values and norms. Despite of the fact that women are not given the due
rights as asked by Islam, yet they are given more respect as compared to the Western societies. Parents are
respected and obeyed, children are brought up by their mothers and grandmothers, guests are warmly
welcomed, they do not have to take time from the house, family ties are strong in our society.

12. Stress on Neighborly Relations

Another significant feature of our society is that stress is let on neighborhood relations, especially in the
villages. It is primarily due to two main factors. First, the life in the villages is not very fast and neighbors
cannot be ignored. Secondly, people in the villages live in a small proximity and as such they have face-to-
face familiarity and cannot altogether ignore feelings and sentiments of each other.

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Definition of Social Institutions

An institution is a mechanism of social cooperation that governs the behavior of a set of individuals
within a given human community. Institutions are identified with a social purpose and stability that
helps individuals to excel in their lives and intentions. Every society has structures which provide a
common social framework. These structures can be broadly referred to as social institutions and are
distinct from any organization that results from the political realm.

The term "institution" is commonly applied to customs and behavior patterns important to a society, as
well as to particular formal organizations of government and public service. As structures and
mechanisms of social order among humans, institutions are one of the principal objects of study in the
social sciences, such as political science, anthropology, economics, and sociology. Institutions are also a
central concern for law, the formal mechanism for political rule-making and enforcement.

The term social institution encompasses everything from marriage, to schools, celebrations, rituals,
sports, organized social groups, and various religions. It is these institutions that provide opportunities
for social interaction and development and which frequently regulate our daily lives.

“Social institution are those ways of inter relationship in society which are eternal and acknowledge by
the society.” (C.L.Wood)

“Social institution is the name of inter co-ordination of social relationships.” (Young and Mac)

“Social institution is an organization of several folkways, mores and norms which undertake different
functions for the betterment of Society.” (Green)

“Social institution represents the social structure and machinery through which human society
organizes, directs and executes the multifarious activities, required to satisfy human needs.” (H. L.
Barners)

Characteristics of Social Institutions

Following are the characteristics of social institutions:
1. An institution is not anyone or anything that is established and traditional. An institution is not
limited to specific organizations, such as a school or a prison or a hospital. An institution is much
broader in scope and importance than a person, a custom, or a social organization.

2. Institutions are social arrangements that channel behavior in prescribed ways in the important
areas of social life. They are interrelated sets of normative elements/norms, values, and role
expectations that the people making up the society have devised and passed on to succeeding
generations in order to provide permanent solutions to society’s perpetually unfinished
business. Institutions are

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Table 1: Institutions and Societal Problems

Institution Societal Problem

Sexual regulation; maintenance of stable units that ensure
Family continued births and care of dependent children
Educational
Institutions Socialization of the newcomers to the society

Political Institutions Maintenance of order, the distribution of power

Production and distribution of goods and services;
Economic Institutions ownership of property
Understanding the transcendental; the search for meaning
Religious Institutions of life and death and the place of humankind in the world
Play and Recreational Fosters the child’s Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative
Institutions and Emotional development

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Functions/Roles of Social Institutions

Following are some functions of social institutions:
1) Economic Functions: Economic institutions fulfill the economic needs of the society. These needs
are provided under the system of production, Distribution of Wealth, Expenditures and Services.
This institution satisfies the basic needs of society.
2) Political Functions: The main function of political institution is to deep the human character in an
organize form. The further objective of this institution is to maintain social organization. This done
through the governments and related bodies.
3) Familial Functions: The main responsibility of social institution is to increase the human race.
Similarly the social institutions are supposed to bring up the new generation this is done through
the family and marriage.
4) Religious Functions: The principle aim of the religious institution is to satisfy the religious or
spiritual needs of the society. The religious institutions uphold mutual relationship between
human being and Allah (S.W.T). It provides sustain ability and durability to society.
5) Social Control: The basic objective of the social institutions is to maintain social control in the
society. Social institutions provide formation to its members through exemplary characters.
Through this formation it expected from the members that they would be following these models
in their normal routine social life.
6) Social Transformation: The social institutions protect the social inheritance by transforming it
from one generation to another. If this transformation is not done then it will be difficult to
sustain the existences of the society. e.g. in our daily life we act and behave whatever we are
taught during to process of socialization.
7) Socialization: Social institutions play vital role in the socialization of the individuals. It is therefore,
the members of each society posses particular characteristics which separate them from the
other societies. The purposed characteristics of social institutions are also necessary for their own
existents. For this purpose the social institutions organize the socialization of its members.

Types of Social Institutions

One distinguishing characteristic of societies is the existence of a set of institutions. The popular
usages of this term are imprecise and omit some important sociological considerations. An
institution is not anyone or anything that is established and an institution is not limited to specific
organizations, such as a school or a prison or a hospital. An institution is much broader in scope
and importance than a person, a custom,or a social organization.

Institutions are social arrangements that channel behavior in prescribed ways in the
important areas of social life. They are interrelated sets of normative elements, norms, values, and
role expectations that the people making up the society have devised and passed on to succeeding
generations in order to provide permanent solutions to society’s perpetually unfinished business.
Institutions are cultural imperatives. They serve as regulatory agencies, channeling behavior in
culturally prescribed ways. Institutions arise from the uncoordinated actions of multitudes of
individuals over time. These actions, procedures, and rules evolve into a set of expectations that
appear to have a design, because the consequences of these expectations provide solutions that
help maintain social stability. The design is accidental, however; it is a product of cultural
revolution.

In sociology, “institutions” refer to a realm of public action with its own sets of organized rules and
beliefs that direct how a society will carry out its basic needs. Following are the institutions which

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play an important role in building of a society:

The Family
A family is defined as “a group of people who are related to one another by bonds of blood, marriage,
or adoption and who live together, form an economic unit, and bear and raise children.” In addition to
the functions listed above, families serve many other important purposes such as providing love and
moral support. When studying familial relations, they can be further broken down into two categories:
 family of orientation and
 family of procreation
Families of orientation are those in which a person is born into. It is in these groups that an individual
learns to communicate effectively with others. That individual then goes on to later form what is called
a family of procreation, which includes all members of their newly formed family. For example, a
spouse and children.

Most parental units are legally bound to each other through marriage. A marriage is the union of two
consenting adults. This partnership is formed in many countries around the world and depends on the
societal norms classified by a particular society. In the United States, the only legal form of marriage is
monogamy. This form of courtship can only take place between one man and one woman. However, in
other countries, such as in the Middle East, polygamy is an accepted form of marriage. Polygamy allows
more than two people to be wed without becoming a social outcast in their community. The marriage
patterns in an area are determined by what is viewed as acceptable in that society. (Kendall, 2006)

Within the field of sociology there are many different points of view regarding the importance of family
and the role of its members. From the functionalist perspective, these groups are viewed as essential in
maintaining the social stability of society. However, according to those of the conflict and feminist
perspectives, families “are sources of social inequality and conflict over values, goals, and access to
resources and power (Kendall, 2006).” They serve no other purpose than to create hardships and
distress. The third perspective is that of the symbolic interactionist. They believe that family’s main
purpose is to act as a form of support in which relatives develop and share many commonalities. Lastly,
the postmodernist perspective praises the diversity of families but states that “as people have pursued
individual freedom, they have been less inclined to accept the structural constraints imposed on them
by institutions.” (Kendall, 2006)

In earlier times, women were expected to stay at home, maintaining the house and raising the children,
but now it is perfectly acceptable for women and men to share the work load and household
responsibilities. An additional structural change includes the single-parent household where there is
only one parent to raise the child/children. In recent years, there has been an increase in one-parent
households due to divorce.

Have you ever thought about who you are? Where I belong to? To whom do I owe my existence? What
and where are my roots? You may not have given a conscious thought to it. But if asked, you will
immediately reply that my name is so and so. You will tell your grandfather’s name. You may also tell
some famous ancestor’s name. You may tell the name of the city you were born, the city you live at
present. All these statements are mostly related to your family, some to neighborhood and community.

All of us belong to a family. Family is the basic unit of any society. Family is that basic unit where we learn
to live with other fellow beings. In more than one way it teaches us to be social, to live in harmony with
other human beings. It also teaches us moral values and social norms. Man is a social being. Man

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cannot live in isolation. To live in a society we have to follow certain rules and regulations. These are
called social norms. There are certain legal rules too. By not following them one can go to jail. There are
some moral and ethical rules for which there is no punishment by law for them but we are answerable
to ahigher court that is our inner self. We may suffer a great deal by not following those norms.

Our first teachers are our parents, our family. In our Society we have always given importance to
family. Earlier we mostly had joint families. In joint families 3 or 4 generations used to live together.
There were grandparents, uncles and aunts living under one roof. We have always given great deal of
importance to our familial relationships. That is why we have different pronouns for different
relationships in the family. For one word uncle & aunty in western societies we have different
synonyms in our relationships. For our maternal and paternal grandparents, we have Nana, Nani, Dada
and Dadi, not justGrandma or Grandpa. Family acts as the foundation stone of our lives.
a) Advantages of family
Joint or extended families have many advantages.
1. The young children, the aged, the weak and sick were all taken care of. It gave security to them
all. For various reasons the trend today is of smaller families. They are called nuclear families. A
family consists of parents and their children. It has been found that the children brought up in
joint families have more balanced personality because joint families provide a more wholesome
environment for the right development of the children.
2. Family environment plays a very important role in the child’s growth.
 It shapes their physical, mental and emotional faculties.
 There is a great emotional bonding which takes place during childhood.
 It gives them security and confidence which is important in dealing with difficult life
situations, later in life.
 Whether brought up in joint family or nuclear family a lot depends on the amount of time
devoted to children by family members, be it father, mother, grandparents, uncles, aunts
or elder brothers and sisters. It gives them the feeling of security and well being.
 If the parents listen alternatively to them and reply to their questions, children feel
important, it encourages them to develop their own thinking. This is the first Psychological
step in the development of analytical and scientific mind.
Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers has written “the family is a natural institution created to
fulfill our daily needs.” Actually the institution of family was created, when people recognized the
interdependence of men and women, and other fellow beings. The institution of family grew stronger
with the growth of civilization and culture. Its form and structure has been changing. Today the change
is more rapid, but the essential role of the family remains the same. With the advent of T.V. and
internet the world has become smaller or rather our own inner world has become bigger. But even so
the importance of family and family ties cannot be undermined.
Children must remember that if parents teach them something or impose discipline it isfor their own
good. If children do not realise this, it may give rise to a feeling of rebellionwhich can play havoc in their
life later on.
b) The Specific Functions of the Family
1. The control and regulation of sexual behavior.
2. To provide room for new members of society (children).
3. To provide means for the economic and emotional maintenance of individuals.
4. To provide opportunity for primary socialization of children.

Instructions: While writing your essay, be sure to:

 Provide an overview of how society operates according to that theoretical perspective and then
apply that perspective to the changes in the social institutionof the family.

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 Discuss whether or not someone coming from the theoretical perspective you chose would
approve or disapprove of the changes in the family (and why or why not).

Economic Institutions
Sociologists understand the economy as the set of arrangements by which a society produces,
distributes, and consumes goods, services, and other resources. Economic Institutions involve the
production of goods and the organization of labor, the provision of care and similar factors, not just
money, buying and selling. Every society has systems of provision or procurement. According to Diana
Kendall, “economy is the social institution that ensures the maintenance of society through the
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services”.
It is obvious that a country’s political, legal, economic and social institutions will affect its rate of
economic growth. However, it is much more difficult to identify exactly which institutions matter and
exactly how they matter. This is an issue of some practical importance. Countries are free to redesign
their institutions in order to improve their economic performance. But, unless they can pinpoint the
beneficial aspects of particular institutions, the only option is to import wholesale the institutional
structures of another, more economically successful country.
Economies have come in many different forms throughout the years. The way of improving an
economy has even changed based on the situation a nation is currently in pre-industrial, industrial, and
post-industrial. Pre-industrial economies are part of a more hunting and gathering culture. Industrial
economies depend on alternative sorts of energy and machinery. Postindustrial economies rely on
provision of sources and contain fast-food, transportation, and technology.

Industrial and postindustrial economies generally come in two categories: capitalism and
socialism.

i. Capitalism:
Capitalism is a system of economics defined by a market owned and control by private citizens. The
advantages of capitalism are the private ownership of property that produces income and competition
to keep prices in check. The disadvantage, however, is the lack of government intervention which is what
makes capitalism work best.
ii. Socialism
The alternative economic theory to capitalism is socialism. Socialism is the act by which all goods are
publically owned and operated. The three features that make up the socialist theory are public
ownership of the means of production, pursuit of collective goals, and centralized decision making. In
the ideal socialist economic theory the term is interchangeable with communism and the ideal
communism has no separation of social classes or differentiation between leaders and people. In
fact, there would ideally be no leader whatsoever involved in “pure” socialism or communism. The
more often chosen economic theory is a mixture of capitalism and socialism that has been seen to
benefit most involved (Kendall, 2006).
Economic institution is the system of organizations. For example, capitalism is a particular kind of
economic institution, and in modern times capitalism consists in large part in specific organizational
forms; including multi-national corporations; organized into a system. As a whole the politics and the
economy are strongly tied together now and always. Economies organize how a society creates,
distributes, and uses its goods and services. Today, we live in a global economy in which the economic
system of capitalism dominates. Goods and services are created and sold, for profit, across national
borders at an increasingly rapid pace. Inequality among nations is related to what each contributes to

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and takes from the global economy.

a) Specific Functions of Economical Institutions
1. Provide methods for the production of goods and services.
2. Provide methods for the distribution of goods and services.
3. Enable society’s members to consume goods and services which are produced

Religious Institutions
Another topic that has about as much diversity as today’s educational system is that of religion. Diana
Kendall states “Religion is a system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals, based on some sacred or supernatural
realm, that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a community”.
Religion can commonly be seen as man’s (or woman’s) explanation to many unanswerable questions such
as the meaning of life. It tells us “why we exist, why people suffer and die, and what happens when we die”
according to our textbooks.The religions that are created are categorized by their beliefs and gods.

Religions entail beliefs about the world, universal order and good, spiritual beings and powers, as well
as rituals and ceremonies. For many peoples, religion is not separated into a separate sphere of life
but is part of the fabric of society, making "conversion" difficult, because of the "religious" identity of
the society. Concepts of loyalty, identity, faithfulness and personhood are in this category. Political and
religious institutions are often related. This may involve "religious" ceremonies of cultural identity. We
learn a lot from our cultural heritage. Our religion also gives us an identity as our family and
community. We are influenced by our religious teachings and practices. One feels solidarity and
brotherhood with the people following the same religion. It also gives a feeling of security.
Usually our religion is determined by birth. The important thing to remember is that whatever religious
practices we follow, there are certain basic truths and values which are common to all. Religion teaches
us to be truthful, not to steal, not to cheat any one, love the fellow beings, be tolerant, be good to
others and so on. Our religion is a way of life. If we follow above tenets we will play a positive role in
every share of life. We have to learn to use religion in a positive way. While following one’s own
religious practices one should be respectful to people following other religions.
Religion and faith gives us inner strength, the strength to face difficult situation in life. Religion also
teaches us to lead a disciplined life. Though religion influences us a great deal, a lot depends on the
kind of interpretations that is passed on to us. We are all familiar with the famous lines of our Great
poet Allama Iqbal “Mazahab nahni Sikhata aapas mai bair rekhna” No religion teachers us to fight with
each other. But we see different religions groups fighting. We should try to understand the process
behind it. If people follow the true spirit and teachings of their religion it can have a very good
influence in building their outlook and personalities.
a) The Specific Function of Religious Institutions
1. Providing solutions for unexplained natural, phenomena.
2. Supplying a means for controlling the natural world.
3. Religion tends to support the normative structure of the society.
4. Furnishing a psychological diversion from unwanted life situations.
5. Sustaining the existing class structure.
6. Religion serves as an instrument of socialization.
7. Religious institutes may both promote and retard social change.
8. Religion may both reduce and encourage conflict in groups.

Political Institutions
Politics is the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and
groups. Politics is present in every society today in the form of a government or state. Political
sociology is the process in which politics is studied in its relation to other factors such as the economy,
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education, or media (Kendall, 2006).

Every society has an organizational principle, with authority figures, with defined roles and obligations.
There are written or oral laws. Some societies are tightly knited, while others are very loosely
organized. Institutions that pertain to the governance of a society, its formal distribution of authority,
its use of force, and its relationships to other societies and political units. The state, an important
political institution in modern societies, is the apparatus of governance over a particular territory.

Politics brings about power and authority to those with power. Unfortunately politics often times
brings about corruption and abuse of the power or authority gained. Those with power will very likely
try to confuse their abuse of power forcefulness used to gain that power by falsely showing they have
authority (Kendall, 2006).
a) The Specific Functions of Political Institutions
1. The Institutionalization of norms (Laws).
2. The enforcement of laws.
3. The adjudication of conflict (Court).
4. Provide for the welfare of members of society.
5. Protection of Society from external threat.

Educational Institutions
Education and religion have both been important factors in many societies around the world. Both
shape how our societies interact within our own society and with other societies around us. The
shaping of our societies begins with our families and friends shaping how our future lives will take
place. This is when formal education and religion are brought about.

Even in "primitive" societies, there are highly developed methods of conveying knowledge and values.
These methods will affect reception of new ideas. The effective communicator learns and uses the
insider formats and channels.

As the child grows he/she comes in contact with neighborhood children and people. This extended
group forms the community or social environment. The child’s thinking and behavioural patterns are
influenced by them too. Our community does not consist of our neighbors alone. Our friends, people
who follow the same religion and religious practices; people belonging to same caste, all are part of
the community we belong. In fact all the people we come in close contact are part of our community.
All these people play an important role in the child’s development. When the child starts going to
school he/she meets many children coming from different background. All this forms the part of the
child’s social environment. After family the child’s teachers and peer group is the second largest
influence in a child’s life. By peer group it is meant the fellow students, neighbourhood children and
people of the same age-group. As you have read in the lesson on adolescence that at this age peer
group Social Institutions becomes even more important them parents, simply because at this age
children spend longer time with them than their parents.

Diana Kendall said “Education is the social institution responsible for the systematic transmission of
knowledge, skills, and cultural values within a formally organized structure”.
Functionalists believe education is one of the most important parts of our society. There are both

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manifest and latent functions of education. (Kendall, 2006)

The manifest functions of education are socialization, transmission of culture, social control, social
placement, and change and innovation. Socialization is the subject matter learned according to age and
skill level. Transmission of culture is how people learn of new cultures and those new to our culture are
assimilated into our society. Social control teaches students how to maintain order in their society via
discipline and the following of rules. Social placement determines who is best suited for what job in
their society. Finallychange and innovation is simply what it appears to be: students bring about change
and make things new and better. (Kendall, 2006)

The last leg of education is college. Universities provide students with major degrees that they can take
with them to gain high paying jobs that are worthy of their hard work for so many years of school.
Education enables a person to fulfill his dreams by attaining a degree and get a job of this own choice.
Just like the segregation in middle and high schools there is much cultural diversity in a college.
Students are subject to the sight of those that may or may not be of the same racial and ethnic
background as themselves as college continues. (Kendall, 2006)

a) The Impact of School

These are the most formative years of a child’s life. As the child grows he/she go to school. In the child’s
development school plays the second most important role. Its role is almost as important as family. A
school and a college are called Alma Mater. It is derived from a Latin word meaning nourishing (dear)
mother. In this period of life teachers are like parents to him/her. He/she listens to them, loves them,
fears them, and respects them. Children are taught many things at school. They not only learn to read
and write, but learn to work in a group, in a team. One can say that the family sows a seed which
blossoms into a flower in the school. A child’s skill development takes place at schools. He discovers
his/her talent and capacities. He/she learns to make friends, to get along with others, to socialize to be
disciplined and to be a responsible citizen.

School is the place where the child receives most of his education. Education includes imparting
knowledge, training and guidance. Although education is a lifelong process, the main role at school is to
develop the child’s in born capacities and talents in such a way that a child can use them lifelong.
During this period character building also takes place. One learns about culture and religion. Education
is important from both individual and society’s point of view. At the individual level a child’s physical,
mental, spiritual, cultural capacity, personality and character building have to be taken care of. From
society’s point of view one has to develop into a responsible citizen, serve the society and country in a
selfless manner, try to remove the social evils, help building a better society, develop leadership
qualities, and learn to live and serve in a democratic manner. At social level too there has to be an
emotional bonding. One learns to take pride in one’s culture, religion, community and country.
School education also takes into account the progress taking place in the world in different fields.
Everyday new scientific discoveries and inventions are taking place. Science and Technology is
developing in leaps and bounds. A child should know and learn about them in such a way that they are
useful for future career and life. To sum up the education should be such that it helps in the overall
development of the child.
Children are also influenced by the kind of books they read. Here parental and teacher’s guidance play

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an important role. Reading is a good habit. Here the context is the books outside school syllabus.
Reading not only improves knowledge it gives greater command over language. It increases the child’s
vocabulary. Books are store houses of knowledge, and knowledge is power. Knowledge gives self-
confidence and maturity and helps to develop a person fully.

b) The Specific Functions of Educational Institutions

1. Transmitting culture.
2. Preparation for occupational roles
3. Evaluating and selecting competent individuals
4. Transmitting functional skills for functioning in society.

Play and Recreational Institutions

There is a dearth of similar material and definitions on recreation. As an institution play and
recreation plays important role, it is important to emphasize the need for co-operation and
networking to ensure both that the best quality of service is provided and that resources are not
duplicated. Play & recreation are regarded as broadly similar activities

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