Institutions:
Social institutions
An institution is a group of people bound together by some ties and operating under a common rule. When considered in sociology, social institutions are self governed bodies of people under a common rule whose operations are inclined towards a common interest instead of personal interest (North, 2000).
Many families living in the same locality tend to have similarity in approaching some aspects. This makes these families appear to have a universally accepted rule or set of rules which govern them. This makes the community become the second example of a social institution since the people in the community will always strive to ensure that they adhere to their communal rule and regulation even before they adhere to personal interests and principles (North, 2000).
Analyzing an institution from a closer perspective, there are several evident characteristics that can make a person recognize it from any perspective. The first characteristic is presence of a unique trait that makes the institution unique and acceptable by the people. In most cases, this unique trait follows the morality of the community hence follows a certain law. The members of the institution appear to be well versed with the laws and always ensure that they fully follow the law (Chang, 2007).
The second characteristic of a social institution is self governance. From the very definition, self governance is the freedom of the institution to make its own laws and follow them provided they do not contradict a much more general law or moral perspective. For example, a social institution like marriage may allow partners of the same gender to marry but this is against a wider moral law of marriage between two partners of opposite gender. Even if this can be treated as self governance, it is in contradiction with the part of social institution that keeps societal needs before personal needs (Chang, 2007).
The third trait of social institutions is universal law. This forms the backbone even to government since the government relies on social institution since it is also one. The universal law treats all the members of the institution with equality and without any form of embarrassment (Chang, 2007).
Judging from what social institutions are and my personal life, I can claim that social institutions have heavily impacted on my personal life. For example, I would like to make my money by any kind of business that is available. However, the most profitable business enterprises are either illegal or are prohibited by the law due to some restrictions. Looking at my father who is an armed forces officer, I have been forced to work and live without seeing him even for a whole year. This makes me feel a captive of social law but when I analyze the positive outcomes, I feel much appreciated.
In conclusion the social institutions that are available today play a very significant role in creating acceptance in cultural diversity. Most of the societies have become multicultural thus the people learn how to appreciate others and live with them in harmony (Chang, 2007).
North, D. 2000, Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Chang, H, 2007, Institutional Change and Economic Development, Anthem Press
