Sociology
| Site: | Steadfast Learning |
| Course: | Steadfast Learning |
| Book: | Sociology |
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| Date: | Thursday, 21 November 2024, 5:27 PM |
1. Introduction
Definition of Terms:
a) Sociology
- In Latin, socio means society and in Greek, Logy means to study. Therefore, Sociology refers to the study of society.
-It is also the study of social relationships.
- It is a scientific study of human behaviour in groups.
b) Society
-Refers to an organised group of people with common ties, operating through its interacting systems of institutions established to ensure, nurture, defence and survival for its members.
-Societies are there to ensure that psychological, physiological and security needs of its members are well catered for. This is achieved through the establishment of specialised structures called social institutions.
c) Education
- Refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes etc, of a society so as to become full and integrated members of that society.
- It is both formal and informal. Individuals do not have to go to school or any formal setup to be educated. Knowledge, attitudes skills/practice, values etc., can be acquired in the process of daily interactions.
d) Sociology of Education
-This is a branch of sociology that studies the social side of education.
- It attempts to systematically study the sociological problems (those originating from the society), patterns and process that are found/associated with the education practice.
Discovery of new ideas and facts
Culture
This term is derived from the German word hzrltur which refers to someone who is well cultivated, schooled or behaved. Ezewu (1983) defines it as the sum total of: human creation which includes what man has made in form of tools, weapons, shelter, material goods, attitudes, beliefs, judgment, institutions, arts, science, philosophy, and social or-ganizations up to the present time. Culture can therefore be viewed as constituting the way of life of an entire society. This includes codes of manners, dress, language, rituals, norms of behaviour and systems of belief.
Social
This means something pertaining or belonging to, associated with or part of the human society.
Society
Society refers to a collectivity of human beings that is capable of self replenishment through sexual reproduction, recruitment and admission of new members from other societies. It can also refer to a congregation of humans that exhibits complex systems of actions to regulate, protect, defend, unite, nurture and promote the well being and survival of all the members.
Educational sociology
This refers to the study of the social factors that influence and are influenced by all educational structures and processes, both within and between societies.
Social System
In sociology, social system is the patterned network of relationships constituting a coherent whole that exist between individuals, groups, and institutions. It is the formal structure of role and status that can form in a small, stable group
Social Change
Social change, in sociology, the alteration of mechanisms within the social structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behaviour, social organizations, or value systems.
Social Structure
Social structure, in sociology, the distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions whereby human beings in a society interact and live together. Social structure is often treated together with the concept of social change, which deals with the forces that change the social structure and the organization of society.
Importance of studying sociology of education.
- It introduces the teacher to sociological perspectives of education which include ; learners, teachers, the school.
- It enables the teacher to understand the importance of interaction with the learners in a classroom Situation.
- Acquaints teachers with knowledge about social needs of both learner and society;
- Gives an understanding of the social background of an individual and its influence on the individual’s learning;
- Familiarises teachers with the contemporary social problems that face the schools e.g. drug abuse, strikes, permissiveness and promiscuity;
- Teachers get better understanding of group interaction patterns and how to influence or put it into use in a school situation’
- Improves teacher’s management of students, parents and the school community at large;
- Interaction with other teachers is easier;
1.1. Factors that make Sociology a Science
Sociology has been able to claim the label of a science by demonstrating, over a long period of time, the sane traits that have generally characterized various sciences. These, according to Gwarinda (1993), include the following:
a) Systematicness
A scientific method of investigation has to be systematic. This refers to logical sequence or steps that lead to logical or justifiable conclusions. This means that the results of such investigations must be valid. Sociology emphasizes reliance on verifiable evidence.
b) Objectivity
Scientific methods employ ways of investigation that reveal things as they really are. This means that the investigator is able to put aside personal feelings, biases, prejudices and emotions when studying a phenomenon. Objectivity is emphasized in all sociological studies.
c) Empiricism
One characteristic of a scientific method is creating knowledge through observation or experiment rather than mere postulation which is not based oil facts. An empirical study focuses on the collection of data (pieces of information) which are then used to explain a phenomenon. What sociologists do is to collect data which may prove or disprove a theory or use the data to generate new theories. The same data may lead to different theories in explaining; a phenomenon, a very common, occurrence in any science.
Like all scientists, sociologists gain their knowledge by doing re-search. Their methods, however, differ from those of most other scientists. These, methods are classified as either quantitative: using numerical data; or qualitative: relying on narrative and descriptive data. Quantitative research is usually conducted through the use of surveys and pre-collected data, while field research is the method most commonly used in qualitative research. Scientists use a research method known as the scientific method. They identify a problem, formulate a hypothesis, conduct research, collect and analyze data and state their findings and conclusions. Researchers have an ethical obligation to protect participants' privacy acid to avoid deceiving or harming them.
d) Replicability and Transmutability
In science, one research after another can investigate the same phenomenon in the same way leading to the same explanation and prediction thus enabling the acquired knowledge to be passed on to others (Bless and Achola,19880). Replicability is however only possible under the same prevailing conditions. This also applies to Sociology.
e) Reductivity
Scientific methods have the ability to reveal the essential from the trivial, necessity from chance, fundamentals from irrelevancies. Through this principle, sound generalizations or laws can be formulated, thus building up the body of knowledge in a discipline. Sociological analyses have been used to reveal fundamentals from irrelevancies. Issues like causes of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and abortion have been analyzed from a sociological perspective.
f) Causation
Scientists assume that an event occurs for a reason, a concept known as causation, and that all events have causes. When they conduct studies, scientists identify variables to investigate and look for correlations of how things relate to one another. Three standards are used to determine causal relationships: two variables must be correlated, all other possible factors must be taken into account, and a change in the independent variable must occur before a change in the dependent variable can occur. The concept of causation is applicable in sociological studies.
Sociology is therefore a science since it meets all these criteria for the scientific methods.
In science, one research after another can investigate the same phenomenon in the same way leading to the same explanation and prediction thus enabling the acquired knowledge to be passed on to others (Bless and Achola,19880). Replicability is however only possible under the same prevailing conditions. This also applies to Sociology.
g) Reductivity
Scientific methods have the ability to reveal the essential from the trivial, necessity from chance, fundamentals from irrelevancies. Through this principle, sound generalizations or laws can be formulated, thus building up the body of knowledge in a discipline. Sociological analyses have been used to reveal fundamentals from irrelevancies. Issues like causes of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and abortion have been analyzed from a sociological perspective.
h) Causation
Scientists assume that an event occurs for a reason, a concept known as causation, and that all events have causes. When they conduct studies, scientists identify variables to investigate and look for correlations of how things relate to one another. Three standards are used to determine causal relationships: two variables must be correlated, all other possible factors must be taken into account, and a change in the independent variable must occur before a change in the dependent variable can occur. The concept of causation is applicable in sociological studies.
Sociology is therefore a science since it meets all these criteria for the scientific methods.
OTHER FACTORS
- Discovery of new ideas and facts
- Study based on existing theories
- Investigates man’s behaviour
- Studies are precise and controlled
- Tries to gather new facts to check and modify existing patterns of behaviour and interaction
• Gives ability to provide social guidance to students and others.
2. Socialization Process
Socialization
This is the process by which the culture of a society is transmitted to children; the modification from infancy of an individual's behaviour to conform to the demands of society and social life. It can also be viewed as a process through which members of society are taught and acquire the culture of their society, including knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes. Socialization is the mechanism by which the total way of life of a society is transmitted from one member of societysuch as parents or teachers to a child or pupil or an employer to a new employee.
2.1. Functions of Socialization
There are two kinds of socialization: status and role socialization.
a) Status socialization
In this kind of socialization, an individual is exposed to a broad pattern of socialization such as in a family or a community. This is designed to prepare the individual to occupy a generalized status in life. This involves learning the ways of life of a family and the community. It includes religious observations and initiation ceremonies (Ezewu, 1983). An individual also learns general positions such as being a mother if one is a female or a husbandifoneismale.Onelearnsthepositionsheoccupiesinsociety.
b) Role Socialization
In this kind of socialization, an individual is prepared for a specific vocation or function in society (Ezewu, 1983). One learns roles such as teaching, medicine and law. The purpose of this socialization is to equip one with a skill and expectations that contribute both to the development of the individual and society at large. One is socialized to accept and internalize the part and duties one has to play insociety.
Socialization is a functional prerequisite. This is mainly because during socialization, individuals learn the language of the culture they are born into as well as the roles expected of them. For instance, girls learn the roles expected of them as daughters, sisters, wives and mothers while boys learn the roles expected of boys and fathers in their community. Socialization is important in the process of personality formation. While much of human personality is the result of our genes, the socialization process can mould personality in particular directions by encouraging specific beliefs and attitudes as well as selectively providing experiences. This is very likely to account for much of the difference between the common personality types in one society in comparison to another.
2.2. Socialization setting
For socialization to take place effectively, three major factors have to be considered.These, according to Ezewu(1983), include the following:
a) Socialisee
This is the person being socialized. It can either be anew born child, a recruit to the army,afreshmantocollegeoranewstudent/pupilinaschooloranewemployee.
b) Socializer
This is the person doing the act of socialization. These are parents, peer groups,community, teachers, church members andemployers.
c) Environment
Socialization cannot take place in a vacuum. It must be in a social setting such as in the family, school etc. The socializer and socialiseeinteract with one another in an environment.
2.3. The Relationship Between Socialization and Education
Various relationships exist between socialization and education. These include thefollowing:
a) Socialization can be positive and negative on the learner depending on what hasbeenpassedover.Education,ontheotherhand,issupposedtobepositive.
b) The two involve acquisition of new aspects in life. These include knowledge, attitudes, skills values andnorms.
c) Socialization and education can be viewed as processes of trying to equip learners with necessaryskills.
d) Socialization can be planned and unplanned, while education calls for scheming and planning. However, the end result is the same since the learner has to change his behaviour towards the intendedgoal.
e) Both socialization and education require a conducive atmosphere to succeed, whether at school or atborne.
f) Both socialization and education must be carried out by agents. These are people who know how to impart certainknowledge.
g) Cultural values and norms canbe imparted during the teaching time.
h) Education is terminal while socialization is continuous. Socialization can take place inandoutofa.schoolsettingwhileeducationismostlyfoundinschoolsettings.
i) Socialization and education aim at making an individual complete and useful to himself and to thesociety.
3. Family as an in institution
Family as an in institution
A group of related kin linked by the blood , marriage and adoption , who occupy a common household and cooperate economically
Functions of family
• Child bearing
This is an important condition for the existence and continuity of any society.
• Child rearing
The family is the main provider of proper care (food, shelter, clothing, love, affection etc)
• Socialization
The family is responsible for ensuring that the child
Acquires the values, norms and customs of its people.
• Education
The family is responsible for the education of its members
• Economic function
The family provides economic needs for the members eg food, shelter clothing etc.
• Emotional and psychological support
The family provide moral, love, affection etc
• Regulation of sexual behaviour
Cultural values of society, standards of sexual behaviour and clearly defined within the family circle.
Types of Family
• Monogamous family
Consists of one husband and one wife at a time and their children. It is nuclear and does not include the relatives of these members.
• Manandrous family
This is when a woman marries one man. The woman is in control of the household and the children belong to her.
• Polygamous family
A man marries more than one wife. The man has control over the members and the household. Common in African societies.
• Polyandrous family
The woman maries several men at a time and they belong to her domain. She controls them.
• Group family
This is where by arrangement a group of men marry a group of women. When the children grow up, they have sexual relations within the groups. Eg the Aiyetoro community of Ondo state in Nigeria.
• Extended family
Includes parents, their children, aunties, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents.
3.1. Marriages
Marriage is a more or less permanent alliance between a man and a woman.
Types of marriages
• Customary marriage
This is done by arrangement by the concerned families. Dowry is paid and it is a form of compensation for the loss of a member of the family.
• Religious marriage
This differs from one religion to another eg. Islam, Christian, Hindu etc.
• The Christian marriage is supposed to be monogamous and additional wives are considered illegitimate. This type can only be formally ended through divorce. It is usually expensive because of the weddings done. (marriage certificate is given)
• Civil marriage
This type takes place in a registry office such as the Attorney, D.C etc. It is supposed to be monogamous and can be dissolved through divorce. It gives the wife and children stronger inheritance rights than the customary type.
• Come we stay
This is where two people decide to stay together and start a family. Many people prefer this type because it is not expensive.
Changes in traditional and modern families
Structural changes
· Nuclear family to extended family
· Large family to small family
Role changes
· The breadwinner is no longer the man but both
· The socializer is no longer the parents but the house help
· Haste marriages
Implications of family changes on education
· There are more divorces than before
· Conflict at home
· The children are not socialized with good moral