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