Education and social change

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Education and Social Change
By:
Irshad khatoon

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SOCIALCHANGE
Social change in sociology, the alteration of mechanisms within the social structure,
characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations, or
value systems.
Throughout the historical development of their discipline, sociologists have borrowed
models of social change from other academic fields. In the late 19th century,
when evolution became the predominant model for understanding biological change,
ideas of social change took on an evolutionary cast, and, though other models have
refined modern notions of social change, evolution persists as an underlying principle.
Social change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society. It may refer to the
notion of social progress or socio cultural revolution, the philosophical idea that society
moves forward by dialectical or evolutionary means. It may refer to a paradigmatic
change in the socio-economic structure, for instance a shift away from feudalism and
towards capitalism. Accordingly it may also refer to social revolution, such as the
Socialist revolution presented in Marxism, or to other social movements, such as
Women's suffrage or the Civil rights movement. Social change may be driven by
cultural, religious, economic, scientific or technological forces. More generally, social
change may include changes in nature, social institutions, social behaviors or social
relations.
THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Some social changes are almost always occurring, but many different theories have
attempted to explain significant social changes in history.
FUNCTIONALIST THEORIES:
T. Parsons viewed that society as being in a natural state of equilibrium. By the term
“equilibrium” model a change may occur in one part of society, adjustment must be
made in other parts. If not , society's equilibrium will be threatened and stains will
occur.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY:
The pioneering work Charles Darwin in biological evolution contributed to 19th centuries
of social change. Darwin's approach stresses a continuing progression of successive life

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forms. Early evolutionary theorists generally agreed that society was progressing
inevitably to a higher state as might be expected. They concluded in ethnocentric
fashion that their own behavior and culture were more advanced than those of earlier
civilizations. Similarly, Emile Durkheim maintained that society progressed from
simple to more complex forms of social organization .
CONFLICT THEORY:
According to conflict theorists , changes has crucial significance since it is needed to
correct social injustice and inequalities. According to Marx, History proceeds through a
series of stages, each of which exploits a class of people. Ancient people exploited slaves,
the estates system of feudalism exploited serfs.
Modern capitalist society exploits the working class. According to him , ultimately
human society will move toward the final stage of development : a classless communist
society or “ community of free individuals”. Marx argues that conflict is a normal and
desirable aspect of social change. In fact , change must be encouraged as a means of
eliminating social inequalities .
TYPE S OF SOCIAL CHANGE
CIVILIZATION CHANGE
It refers tothe dress, food habits, production technologies, communication system, etc.
CULTURALCHANGE
It is associated with new knowledge. Religion, rituals, arts, literature etc.
CHANGEIN SOCIALRELATIONSHIP
It is the relationship between the father and son, teacher and student, husband and wife,
etc.

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FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
 Geographical factors like climatic conditions that influence the climatic conditions.
 Psychological factors like motivation, individualization etc·
 Sociological factors like social conflicts, social oppressions, modernization etc.
These also play an important role to social change. For example: War due to religion,
ethnic tensions, competition for resources, gender and women’s movement like for
equal payment and property. Race and Civil Rights Movement, collective political
power, homosexuality becoming more available, but still denied civil and human
rights. But Positive Outcomes are like solidarity, safety notions, positively social
development, welfare activities are enhancing .
 Explosion of population.
 The environmental factors like newly built cities, industrialized and urbanized natural
environment. When large populations live in urban areas rather than rural areas
known as urbanization. Usually results from economic opportunities: either people
move to a city for jobs, or rural areas become the sites of large businesses which lead
to population growth.
 The scientific and technological factors like technical advancements, new inventions,
modern machineries, tools, etc.
 The ideological factors like social philosophy, political philosophy and religious
philosophy. Rise of capitalism in the world ,due to religious beliefs Protestantism
emerged and many other work ethics developed in the work place. Religious beliefs
sometimes lead to revolution and civil wars which lead to new countries. Like in Iran,
Islamic revolution occurred in 1979 and developed a Islamic republic.
 The legislative factors like legislation on temple entry, banning child marriages etc.
 The impact of western civilization and cultural diffusion. population in the world are
adopting new goods and services from anywhere he or she stays. Much of the
materialist products are being applied to following the marketing policy .(celebrities
campaigns in drinking milk, cold drinks), public health (birth control in less developed
countries) etc.
 Contact of people with different countries.
 Explosion of population.
 The level of education and literacy attained by the society.
 Modernization of the society.
 New attitudes to wealth, work, saving and risk taking.
 War, natural calamities, revolutions, migration of people, etc.

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EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE
The role of education as an agent or instrument of social change and social development is
widely recognized today. Social change may take place - when humans need change. When
the existing social system or network of social institutions fails to meet the existing human
needs and when new materials suggest better ways of meeting human needs. Education
scan initiate social changes by bringing about a change in outlook and attitude of man. It
can bring about a change in the pattern of social relationships and thereby it may cause
social changes.
Earlier educational institutions and teachers used to show a specific way of life to the
students and education was more a means of social control than an instrument of social
change. Modern educational institutions do not place much emphasis upon
transmitting a way of life to the students. The traditional education was meant for an
unchanging static society not marked by any change. But today education aims at
imparting knowledge. Education was associated with religion.
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills and also something less
tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge good judgment and wisdom.
Durkheim sees education as the socialization of the younger generation .It is a continuous
effort to impose on the child ways of seeing, feeling and acting which he could not have
arrived at spontaneously.
Education has as one of its fundamental goals the imparting of culture from generation to
generation. Culture is a growing whole. There can be no break in the continuity of culture.
The cultural elements are passed on through the agents like family, school and other
associations. All societies maintain themselves through their culture. Culture here refers to
a set of beliefs, skills, art, literature, philosophy, religion, music etc which must be learned.
This social heritage must be transmitted through social organizations.
Education has this function of cultural transmission in all societies.
The curriculum of a school ,its extra-curricular activities and the informal relationships
among students and teachers communicate social skills and values. Through various
activities school imparts values such as co-operation , team spirit ,obedience ,discipline
etc. Education acts an integrative force in the society by communicating values that unites
different sections of society. The school teach skills to the children which help them later

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to integrate within the culture of the society. Education in its formal or informal pattern
has been performing this role since time immemorial. Education can be looked upon as
process from this point of view also. Education has brought phenomenal changes in every
aspect of man's life.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND SOCIALCHANGE
Education and social change is a two - way traffic. While education preserves, transmits
and disseminates the whole culture. social change is the instrument and precondition of
educational thought.
EDUCATION ASA CONDITONOF SOCIALCHANGE
It is noted that social change is impossible without education. Education makes the
people aware of the inadequacies of the existing system and creates a craze for social
reform. Many of the old superstitions, beliefs and outdated customs. Which is retard
social progress, can be prevented by education.
EDUCATION ASAN INSTRUMENTOF SOCIALCHANGE
Education is considered as a powerful instrument for social change, because it deals
mainly with the thought patterns and behavior patterns of younger generation. The axe of
education can cut down the thick roots of traditional superstitions, ignorance and the
backwardness. Education prepares the people for social change.
EDUCATION ASAN EFFECTOF SOCIALCHANGE
In the wake of social change, people become aware of the need for educational progress.
The changes caused by the political upheaval, industrialization, technological progress
and religious reform movements naturally demands more education in order to maintain
social equilibrium. In India the enrolment in educational institutions has increased
enormously since independence.
It can summarize the following relationship between education and social change in the
following ways:
 Education initiates the social change and gives them direction and purpose.
 Education creates the social reformers and leaders who consciously make all the
efforts to bring about social changes.
 Education prepares the individual for social changes. It brings a change in the need
- dispositions and also creates frustrations with the status quo.
 Education determines the nature of social changes, which ought to be brought
about.

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References
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the Schools System in England, 19
th
October, in the Volumizer, at:
http://journals.aol.co.uk/rikowskigr/Volumizer/entries/2005/10/23/the-education-
white-paper--the-marketisation--capitalisation-of-the-schools-system-in-engl/571
Coles, J. (2005) Choice for the Few, Socialist Review, No.301, November, pp.16-17.
Coles, J. (2006) Fault Lines in New Labour’s Education Project: Points for intervention and
resistance, Forum for Promoting Comprehensive Education, Vol.48 No.1, pp.13-22.
Farnsworth, K. (2006) Business in Education: A reassessment of the contribution of
outsourcing to LEA performance, Journal of Education Policy, Vol.21 No.4, pp.485-496.
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