Social Institutions

What are social institutions? Related to how the external world/other people influence our lives Examples – Churches, schools, government, media, family, marriage, peers, the military, legal system. Shape values and beliefs Maintain order and help society to function efficiently

Characteristics -have existed for a long period of time e.g. military -well established patterns of functioning (ways of doing things) known as a structure e.g. A military example would be the chain of command -change usually occurs slowly (as a result of previous two points) e.g. gay marriage -usually have a specific purpose e.g. military: defend Canada -Members joined by shared values and beliefs e.g. Canadian government believes in the idea of democracy

Purposes Agent of socialization (teaches our society’s or a group’s acceptable ways of thinking and behaving) Maintain order and security e.g. legal system How does marriage maintain order?

Churches In your groups: Create a list of five reasons why many people no longer attend church What is necessary to include in a church or religious institution, if it is to be a means of social control and what might a church offer that is necessary or useful in a society? (4-5 points) Create your own structures for a religious institution. Agree upon two guiding principles. And think of three ways that you will get people to attend. Christian church used be a strong social institution that provided a primary means of social control in Canada. Now only 20% of Canadians attend church regularly.

Key Terms - Define Personal institutions Impersonal institutions Entrenched Conformity Institutionalization