2. z
Social change is primarily driven by the processes of
innovation and diffusion. Innovation is the process of
introducing new ideas, things, and methods in society. lt
also entails the improvement of things and processes and
is primarily driven by technological changes. Innovations
lead to social change when new ideas begin to spread
throughout a society through diffusion.
Diffusion refers to the spread of certain elements from one
group to another in society. Once an idea, thing, or process
is introduced and becomes widely known and accepted in
society, greater transformations happen in society.
3. z
A significant social change which involved the gradual
acceptance of new technology was the introduction of
the mobile phone. It was introduced during the 1990s
and people initially thought that it would not gain
popularity as landline phones and correspondence
through the mail were still the conventional means of
communication.
At that time, mobile phones were still bulky and
expensive and only a few people could afford them.
Further technological innovations introduced more compact
and affordable cellphones, and these soon gained
popularity among consumers.
4. z
The recognition of women's rights, for example,
is a significant idea that brought about social
change. The movement advocating women's
rights had its roots of the Industrial
Revolution.
Women were given a greater role in the
workplace with the emergence of factories, and
they were no longer confined to domestic roles
such as housekeeping.
5. z
During the 19th century, women
began to organize themselves and
initiate collective actions to call
attention to issues, particularly the
call to grant women the right of
suffrage.
6. z
In 1979, the United Nations adopted the
Convention on the Elimination of all forms
of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), which recognized the right of
women against discrimination, defined
actions that constitute discrimination, and
set an agenda for addressing
discrimination worldwide.
7. z
Over the years, international organizations and
countries have advocated women's rights and issues
and incorporated the CEDAW into their local
legislation. The Philippines, in particular, passed the
Magna Carta of Women in 2009.
Social change, however, can also underscore
continual tensions and contradictions in society. The
plight of laborers have improved over the centuries,
but despite the transformations that resulted in
worker's benefits, some challenges still remain
unaddressed.
8. z
Two hundred years ago, workers toiled under harsh
conditions with many working in shifts exceeding 12 hours
every day. Additionally, child labor was rampant and wage
laws were nonexistent.
Over several decades, trade unions and a labor
organizations worked for the recognition of worker's rights
and various laws were passed that regulated labor and
imposed standards on work hours and pay. Today, workers
labor for only eight hours a day. Should workers work in
excess of the mandated eight-hour work period, they are
entitled to overtime pay as mandated by law.
9. z
However, the fight for labor rights and the eradication of
child labor continue even today. A 2015 report of the
International Labour Organization estimates that 60
percent of workers worldwide are involved in hazardous
jobs. These jobs are characterized by a lack of security of
tenure, and harsh or dangerous working conditions.
In the Philippines, the Philippine Statistical Authority
reported that 2.1 million children from five to 17 years old
are child laborers. The phenomenon of child labor has
been attributed to huge drop-out rates in elementary and
high school, especially among boys.
11. z
Acculturation is the process by which individuals
or groups learn aspects of a culture that is not their
own. An example of acculturation is when
immigrants learn the language prevalent in the
country they live in.
Filipino immigrants to America, for instance, have to
adapt to the lifestyle, language, and culture of
the country, giving rise to a community that
speak and act "American," but still identify
themselves as Filipino and adhere to Filipino traits
and values.
12. z
Acculturation also occurs when there is a blending
of two or more cultures, resulting in the
emergence of a hybrid culture that combines
certain elements from various cultures. This is
seen in highly urbanized communities with large
and multicultural populations. Metro Manila, for
example, is a melting pot of cultures and
people from various cultural and social
backgrounds live and work in the city.
13. z
Acculturation emphasizes the blending of cultures, with
the individual still retaining certain aspects of his or her
original or native culture. Assimilation, meanwhile, is the
process by which an individual or group fully adopts
another culture.
Full assimilation often results in the loss of the native
culture, and the fully assimilated individuals bear little
semblance to the members of their native culture. During the
early years of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, the
native Filipinos assimilated certain aspects of Spanish
culture such as religion and an urban lifestyle.
15. z
Social change is never an easy or straightforward
process, and it sometimes leads to social
contradictions and tensions. Social contradiction
occurs when two social groups or classes are so
different that a compromise between them is
impossible.
Conflict theorists consider society as being in a
state of contradiction between the capitalist
and worker classes, since these two groups have
opposing and irreconcilable views and concerns.
16. z
Contradictions can also be brought about by new
ideas and perspectives, as these oftentimes lead
certain groups to come into conflict with each other
because of their opposing views regarding social
change.
Opposition to social change occurs because
groups within societies fear that any change or
innovation might result in a loss of power or
status. Another reason why certain groups oppose
change is their fear of losing certain aspects of life
that they consider important.
17. z
Social Contradictions eventually cause
social tension and if these contradictions
go unresolved, these may bring about
conflict. Going back to the conflict theory
model, the contradiction between the
capitalist and worker classes is assumed to
be unresolvable, and that the only way to
resolve it is through struggle or revolution.
18. z
In the Philippines, the issues that highlight social
contradictions and tensions in our country often
involve the plight of workers, the poor and
marginalized sectors, and various government
issues such as corruption.
Various protests advocating worker's rights and
calling attention to the plight of poor farmers are
continually held by militant groups, while various
advocacies also conduct mass actions to advance
their respective causes.
19. z
The tensions brought about by political issues often lead
to conflict in the form of peaceful uprisings such as
EDSA 1 and EDSA 2. These revolts were brought about by
issues regarding democratic governance. The opposition to
the Marcos dictatorship provided the catalyst for EDSA 1,
while the issue of corruption gave Filipinos cause to
organize and oust President Joseph Estrada in EDSA 2.
These changes brought about new administrations that
advocated democratic reforms. However, contradictions still
remain in our society as many of the democratic ideals
espoused by the EDSA uprisings remain unattained.