Social change occurs through alterations in social institutions, cultural elements, social relationships, norms, values and expectations within a society. Major causes of social change include globalization, emerging social problems, rejection of repugnant cultural practices, and wars or communal strife. Globalization has introduced new communication technologies that have changed how information is conveyed and increased individualism. Economic crises and social hardships have also led people to change priorities and cultural traditions. Additionally, societies reject backward practices like female circumcision and early marriage through westernization and enlightenment. Wars and conflicts further alter the structure of life as societies aim to prevent future violence.

1. Causesof social change in the society
Social change isthe alterationinthe structure andfunctionof a social mechanism.These alterations
take place in variousaspectsof humanlife.The changescannotbe avoidedandsometimesstartswhen
innovationspreadinthe society.Whendiscoveriesandnew innovationsare made,theydiffuseintothe
society.The societybeingverydynamicmakesinternalchangestobe inline withthese discoveries.That
iswhy witheverynewfoodstuff,housing,transportorpopulationstructure,the societyundergoesa
change.
Many thinkersnowadaysconceptualizesocial change asanysignificantalterationsinthe society
involvingsuchchangesas;
- Those insocial institutionslikefamily,economy,religion,education,politicsandhealth.
- In civilizationdevelopmentfeatureslikethe scientificandtechnological inventions.
- Cultural elementsinartproductions,drama,literature,new skillsandknowledge. - Social relationships
amongsocietal members
- Normsand standardbehaviors
- Values,interestsandexpectationsof the peopleinthe society.
These changesare majorlycausedby;
(a) Globalization-whichhasbroughtinthe use of sophisticatedelectronicslikecomputers,mobile
phonesthathas made the world to be like one village.The formof communicationhasbeenchangedby
the use of the internet,phone calls,VOIP,amongothers.Informationisconveyedfromone locationto
milesawayinfewseconds.Life inthe societyhasbeenchanged,scrapingthe old communicationways
and embracingthese newones.However,ithasalsoincreaseduntrustworthyamongsocietal members.
(b) The emergingsocial problemshave alsoledtosocial change.Withthe economiccrisis,people are
heldbusytoilingforalivinghence forgettingsome of the customsof the society.The oldare neglected
and theyare not sort for as before.Individualismisdominantinthe societywhereeverymembercares
abouthis/herownlife.There are social hardshipsthatmake people totune tootherformsof life.The
prioritieswhichexistedare nolongerthere.Forinstance,marriage iswearingoutwithsome people
takingit as an optional thing.
(c) The repugnantculture isbeingdone awaywitharbitrarily.Backwardpracticeslike female
circumcision,wifeinheritance,andearlymarriagesare beingfoughtagainst.Withwesternizationand

2. enlightenment,peopleare arbitrarilytryingtowipe outthe kindof primitivenessthatwere holding
them.
(d) Wars and communal strife alsocausesalteration inthe structure of life of asociety.Afterawar,the
people make effortstochange the waytheywere living.Forfuture defense andalertness,the society
triesto live alife of watchfulnessandfree fromwar