Social institutions are the means and structures of promoting cooperation and social order that govern behaviors of the individuals within a particular human gathering (Hodgson, 2006). The social institutions include religion, family, economic system, government, the legal system, education, media and penal system, etc. The three theoretical perspectives i.e., functionalists, conflict theorists and the interactionist have put forward different opinions about social institutions. According to the functionalists, the existence of social institutions can be justified by the fact that they meet the needs of the group. According to them, social institutions are necessary for the society as a society is composed of the interconnected parts, which work in coordination with each other in order to maintain the harmony, balance and the social equilibrium. The conflict theories consider that the social institutions do not bother anyone; they have their own life, and do not care for the others (Tischler, 2010).
Conflict theorists are of the opinion that the social institutions are the primary source by which the elite class maintains its position and privilege in the society. According to them the structure of society is not static, it responds to the changes in the technology, culture, societal wants, priorities and needs and the relationships among groups. Moreover, they are of the view that the social institutions compete for the resources and power. The interactionists have reflected the micro sociological perspective, and emphasized that the social institutions influence the human behavior through the symbolic interactions with the other members of the society. They help individuals to develop a self concept considering and observing the interactions of other with them.
Family is very important institution of the society; it contributes many significant functions for the society. The strength of the family institution is that it regulates and controls the sexual behaviors, provides emotional and the economic maintenance of the people living living in the society (Lamanna & Riedmann, 2011). Family is also the main source of the provision of the socialization to children; it also provides a sense of belonging and identity to its member. There are also weaknesses of family. In many families gender differences prevail that is disadvantageous for females. The existence of the patriarchal power, however, ensures that the major decisions of family are taken by the male members of the family, instead of the female members. Furthermore, the families reproduce as well as rear their generation in order to become the labor power to serve the capitalistic system at a lower cost.
The perspective that is closely aligned to family is functionalist’s perspective. This is because that the member of the family work in collaboration with each other, help each other in the hour of need, and satisfy the needs and wants of each other in order to maintain the social peace and good relations. The functionalists are of the view that family is a universal institution that is accepted universally, and family is important because it fulfill major functions for the society including the economic, sexual, reproductive and the educational purposes. The family is also important due to the fact that socialization is important for children and family plays a vital role in socializing their children in order to make them fit for the society.
In a nutshell, social institutions hold very important position in the society. There are different theological opinions on social institutions, the functionalists consider them important for marinating harmony, the conflict theorists consider them as operating for self motives of an elite class, and the interactionalists consider that they influence behaviors through interactions. Among the social institutions family is an important institution that has several strengths and weaknesses. The functionalist perspective describes family as both are indicative of the fact that the members of an institution work together in order to ensure smooth functioning in the society.
References
Hodgson, Geoffrey M. (2006). What Are Institutions. Journal of Economic Issues, XL(1), 1-25
Tischler, Henry. (2010).Introduction to Sociology. Cengage Learning,USA
Lammana, Mary Ann., & Riedmann, Agnes. (2011). Marriages, Families, and Relationships: Making Choices in a Diverse Society. Cengage Learning, USA
