MEANING AND NATURE OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Social change is prevalent and is disturbing feature of contemporary life. Role of social change, in modern times is greater than in olden days. Change is essential biologically and socially, as it provide continuity to human beings and to society.
Etymologically, the word ‘change’ means-an alteration, a variation, a variety, a shift from one situation to another. Situation, a modulation from position to another position and to get rid off from the old to new etc.
Philosophically, the ‘change’ is inevitable for all things which exist in the world. Philosophers believing in the existence of God say that all worldly things, which exist in space and time, are all illusory and temporary in this world. These things including human beings are subject to change. They come and go, and also come again. Those who believe in metaphysics have an ontological view that only God is permanent and all other worldly things are temporary. Though Empiricists who do not believe in metaphysics, do not challenge the concept of ‘change’. The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus said that ‘everything’ in this world is in flux.
Society is a composed of a vast and complex network of patterned human relationships in which all participate. When human behavior is in process of modification, it is way indicating that a social change is occurring. it is a shift in idea and perceptions on a mass scale.
Social change is prevalent and is disturbing feature of contemporary life. Role of social change, in modern times is greater than in olden days. Change is essential biologically and socially, as it provide continuity to human beings and to society.
Etymologically, the word ‘change’ means-an alteration, a variation, a variety, a shift from one situation to another. Situation, a modulation from position to another position and to get rid off from the old to new etc.
Philosophically, the ‘change’ is inevitable for all things which exist in the world. Philosophers believing in the existence of God say that all worldly things, which exist in space and time, are all illusory and temporary in this world. These things including human beings are subject to change. They come and go, and also come again. Those who believe in metaphysics have an ontological view that only God is permanent and all other worldly things are temporary. Though Empiricists who do not believe in metaphysics, do not challenge the concept of ‘change’. The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus said that ‘everything’ in this world is in flux.
Society is a composed of a vast and complex network of patterned human relationships in which all participate. When human behavior is in process of modification, it is way indicating that a social change is occurring. it is a shift in idea and perceptions on a mass scale.
Meaning of social change
Prof. R.B. Mathur explained the concept of social change in “The third India year book of Education – Educational research” (1964) in these words, “Social change refers to the modifications in the organization and behavior of the group as expressed in its laws, institutions, customs, modes and beliefs. The change may be gradual or sudden, evolutionary or revolutionary. When change is supposedly for the better, it becomes ‘progress’ which is essentially an evolutionary concept.”
According to B.Kuppaswami, “When we speak of social change we might assert that there is some change in social behaviour and in the social structure.”
Prof..S.P. Ruhela views social change as, “The term social change might imply changes in social attitudes, behavior, customs, habits, manners, relations and values of people, in social institutions and structures, in the ways or style of living.”
We can see the Social change in two broad areas.
Changes in social structure
1. Family structure: - i.e. Breaking of joint family systems and emergence of nuclear
family.
2. Institutional structure: - like the School i.e. Co-education, awareness of girls
education, use of technology.
3. Zamindari system: - i.e. Abolition of Zamindari system.
4. Caste structure: - i.e. Intercaste marriage.
Nature of social change
Social change is inevitable. Society is dynamic. It is in constant flux. Whether we want a change, whether we like it or not, times are moving fast. Change is the law of nature.
Following characteristics of the change reflect the nature of social change:
1. Social change may be sudden, slow or rapid.
2. All aspects or elements of the social structure may not change.
3. Social change may mean discarding some old things or elements.
4. Social change means addition of new things or elements.
5. Social change may be for the good of the Society.
6. Social change affects a sizeable population of the society.
7. Social change is fairly lasting.
Examples of social changes
a) Agriculture:-Traditional means of agriculture have been modulated to mechanized farming changing the subsistence agriculture to commercialized one.
b) Industry: - Our cottage industries and arts and crafts have been uprooted by heavy industry.
c) Law and jurisprudence:- our on the spot open justice system through Panchayat Adalats has been changed to the justice of evidence which takes longer time and many times guilty person roam scot-free in the society.
d) Social Institutions
· Our joint family system has been changed to nuclear family structure.
· Arranged marriages very often shift to court marriages keeping the parents unaware of these.
· Dowry has changed the concept of simple marriage, very often which result in bride harassment and burning.
e) Culture
· Our traditional culture has been replaced by modern westernized culture.
· Religious beliefs have been eroded by the belief of secularisms. Daily prayers practice has been changed to weekly Satsangs.
· Luxurious living taken place of simple living.
· Deep personal relations based on sharing, cooperation have been revoultionalised and changed by individualized impersonal living which mitigate the good personal neighbourly relations.
f) Transport: - Cart transport has been replaced by fast moving transport like motors, cars, trains, helicopters and aeroplanes.
g) Economy: -Old concept of self-sufficient economy of non-competitive homogeneous unit that is village economy has been replaced by profit market Economy.
h) Exchange system: - Old barter system of exchange has been replaced by money exchange.
i) Moral values:-Due to lack of religious faith the old concept of moral consciousness based on karma theory has been replaced by material economy which brought rampant corruption in the society.
j) Dress and fashion: - Traditional dresses have disappeared and people generally use western dresses.
k) Living: - Old ways of living have totally disappeared. Now people sleep late in the night and get up late in the morning. During the night they see cable T.V, V.C.R.
l) Food: - Old foods have gone. People prefer fast foods, bread, slices, sandwiches
and hamburgers in place of roti, dal and rice.
Social changes are causes by several factors. They are as follow:-
1. Cultural factors: - Changes in culture and influence social relationship. Culture gives
speeds and directions to social change. Like fashions, women’s liberation movement,
renaissance or reformist movements and Satyagraha, definitely cause a lot of social
change in diverse direction.
2. Psychological factors: - The psychology of the human beings may itself become the
cause for social change. Man by nature loves change, desired to invent new things. as
a result of this, attitude changes, customs, traditions etc. also go on changing in the
society in a continuous manner. This does not imply that whatever is new is considered
superior to the old.
3. Technological factors: - In modern age, Technological factors are among the pre-
dominant causes of social change is brought about mainly due to the following
technological factors.
Development of new methods.
Development of means of transport.
Development of means of communication.
Use of machines and industries.
Technology is nothing but applied science which helps in bringing social change with
the changing needs of the Society. In fact, when technology changes, it affects change
in values and when values change, they bring out the corresponding change in
technology. In this way, technological techniques as well as values are both the
essential basis of social change. Both are equally important and essential. Both
actively interact and bring about social change they have caused several far-reaching
social changes in the lives of people in developing as well as developing as well as
developed countries. Radio, television, refrigerator, car, aeroplanes, new
household gadgets etc. have completely changed our style of living, modes of
thinking and social relations and even morals.
4. Climatic factors: - Climatic factors led to the disappearance of the Indus valley. The
entire civilization collapsed and new civilization came up.
5. Demographic factors:-like imbalance caused by change in ratio of males and
females in a given population lead to social change. For example large numbers of
young male soldiers died in Europe during World War II.
6. Natural factors: - Natural factors like earth-quakes, volcanoes, floods, droughts and
floods etc may people render homeless and turning them into refugees, forced the
people to change their whole life style by migrating to other places.
7. Religious factors: - Religious reformer like Gautama Buddha greatly influenced the
social life of the people. Religious and social reformers like swami Dayanand and
swami vivekanada of the 19th century made the people of India conscious of their
social responsibility.
8. Political factors: - Political change like the end of foreign rule in India altogether
changed the social outlook of the people. New aspirations, ideals and values like
democracy, secularism and socialism became the cornerstones of social life.
9 .Other factors: - This included the appearance of new opinion and thoughts. E.g.
changes in the attitude towards dowry, caste system, female education has resulted
in wide spread Social variations and modification.
Process of social change
S.P. Ruhela mentions the most significant process of Social change as under
1) Social mobility: - Social mobility means position in social sphere. This mobility occurs in vertical or horizontal directions. It can be individual or group mobility implies movements. Like rise in status, position, income and economic condition etc. horizontal mobility means change in place without accompanying rise in social or economic status.
2) Modernization: - Definition by Wilbert E Moore, “What is involved in modernization is a ‘total’ transformation of a tradition or pre-modern society into the types of technology that characterize the advanced economically prosperous and relatively politically stable nations of the western world.”
The process of Modernization emphasizes:
v Value change is a pre-requisite for Modernization.
v Positive attitude towards work, wealth, savings, investments, risk-taking, industrialization, material development and development of knowledge.
v Adopt science and technology knowledge in life.
v Change in the traditional thinking, ideas and values. change in the economic, social, political and election system
v Modernization emphasizes material development and change in thinking.
v use of gadgets but attitudes same is not Modernization.
Eg:-A lady washes clothes in the washing machine with ghoonghat.
3) Westernization: - “This is a process of social change by which the culture,
traditions, styles of living and values of the westerners in general and the British in
particular considerably affected the traditional, Indian culture and society, under
the impact of the British rule and the education introduced by them.
The impact /influence of Westernization in India are seen in various aspects
Establishment of scientific, technological and educational institutions e.g. railways, postal facilities, newspaper media.
Acceptance of western manners.
Habits in matters of food, dress, amusement, etiquettes and even morals(clubs)
Breaking of joint family system.
New professions emerged on the basis of system education. E.g. Lawyer, Manager, Clerks, Doctor.
Professions were based on education and not caste.
A movement for social reforms based on western education. E.g. Widow marriage, removal of untouchability.
A new class emerged which believed and adopted English political system, economic System (industries were set up), legal system and culture.
Acculturation of western culture in the Indian culture (through education and culture), western thinking was adopted, and liberal thinking was adopted.
A new class which was English/western educated being dominating.
Negative influences
· Blind imitation and influences of western culture lead to decline of Indian values and culture.
· Freedom was sometimes used without responsibility and sometimes without immorality especially by young people.
· Superiority of English educated class.
4) Urbanization: - A significant feature of this change is the continuous migration
from rural areas to the urban areas. Urbanization leads to growth of towns, cities and urban centers, industrial towns, business projects, educational, commercial etc.
Urbanization has many positive influences.
Ø Rise in income and in standard of living.
Ø Extension of educational institutions.
Ø Extension of civic amenities like roads, hospitals, banks, post offices.
Ø Integration of culture of different sates and region.
Ø Development of an urban culture.
Ø Broadening of thinking, values of acceptance of people, removal of traditional
and conservative and values.
Ø Areas surrounding city got developed.
Ø A competition in different facilities leads to improvement.
Negative influences
Rise in crime
Rise in trade union activities strikes.
Exploitation of labour.
Neglect of agriculture in rural sector.
Increase in slums, unhygienic dwelling.
Rise in pollution.
Problems of education-health centers for slum dwellers/over crowded classrooms.
5) Industrialization: - “It is the process of building up or establishing industries and the
accompanying social institutions and organizations of an industrial society.”
This process lead to several social changes e.g. - rise in trade union activities,
educational institutions, banks, roads, migration of rural population, breaking of family
unit, employment on the basis of technical skills and not caste, western education.
It also leads to various consequences like rise in crime, drinking, trade unionism,
agitations. It also leads to price rice, extension of roads, and other civic amenities,
educational institutions. It leads to employment to many people. It leads to
improvement in standard of living, purchasing, power of people increased. It leads to
better transport and communication.
6) Sanskritization: -In this process, low caste Hindu or tribe or other group attempts to
change its customs, ideologies, rituals and ways of life in the direction of a high caste.
7) Politicalization: - It is the process of Social change through the spread of knowledge
about political ideologies, parties and leaders. In this process of Social change, people
become aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Role of education in social change
Education is an important instrument to bring Social revolutions. Among all the instrument education is considered as the most powerful tool for all, at all levels.
Education commission 1964-66 begins with these words, “The destiny of India is now begin shaped in her classrooms. This, we believe, is no mere rhetoric.”
Education commission has further observed that realization of country’s aspiration involves changes in the knowledge, skills, interests, and values of the people as a whole.
This is basic to every programme of Social and economic betterment of which India stands in need. It has pointed out this fact as “if this change on a grand scale is to be achieved without violent revolution there is one instrument, and one instrument only that can be used, Education. Other agencies may help, and can indeed sometimes have a more apparent impact. But the national system of Education is the only instrument that can reach all people. It is a difficult instrument whose effective use requires strength of will, ‘dedicated’ work and sacrifice. But it is a sure and tried instrument, which has served other countries well in their struggle for development. It can give the will and the skill, do so far India.”
Relationship between Education and Social change
Education and Social change exhibit a relation which is three fold.
1. Education as a condition of Social change
The first form of relationship emphasizes that without the basis, foundation or ground of
Education, no desired social structure or place of social change can be erected. These must be Education as a basic condition and only that can any real social change or modernization be possible. if properly educated and well trained workers are not available to handle that sort of modern machinery, it is bound to cause several grave losses and mills in India where semi-literate and ill-trained workers are meeting numerous failures in increasing the quality and quantity of the goods produced by them and thereby, bringing about no real social change, modernization, progress or improvement in less at a superficial level due to lack of education.
Our constitution -makers had rightly realizes the importance of education and therefore, they had emphatically laid down in the constitution that the state shall be obliged to provide free and compulsory education up to elementary level to all its citizens within a few years of the implementation of the constitution.
2. Education as an instrument of Social change
It is not without reason that Education has received great attention at the hands of leaders, religious and social reformers. They have strongly advocated the use of Education as the most important agents/means or instrument of bringing about changes in the society.
Education is not for the sake of learning or knowledge only.
The British rulers in India introduced a system of Education in India which would enable the Indians to imbibe British culture and manners. Lord Macaulay, the architect of the British system of education in India, in a letter to his father in 1836 wrote, “Hindus are much influenced with education. There is no Hindu who may keep faith in his religion after studying English. “Earlier in 1835 in his minute on Education which was accepted
By Lord William Bentick as the basis system of Education in India, Lord Macaulay had written, “we must at present do our best to form a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, in moral and intellect.” This indicates the importance of Education as an agent or means of social change. Religious and social reformers Raja Ram Mohan Roy, swami Dayananda and Vivekananda considered as the potent weapon of social reform. Freedom fighters, political leaders and statesmen like
Gandhiji laid great stress on Education for improving the economic and social conditions of the people.
Gandhiji wanted his scheme of Basic Education to be the main instrument of Social change. In his words, “The Basic School should be the searched of a non-violent social revolution”.
The well-known American philosopher and Educationist, John Dewey observes, “Education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform. This it does in two Ways: by guiding children towards new values and by assisting the development of intelligence in individual children and increasing society’s potential for its own transformation”.
In India the English education and westerns sciences help leader to introduce social reform like education for girls, sati provision, and widow remarriage.
Example: - Rajarammohan Roy, Ambedkar work influenced by English education.
Education is a peaceful instrument of social change. Some other factors like wars, natural calamities are violent.
Education is a gradual process and it brings a change in the values and attitudes of people thus the change it bring reaches all the people and last or a long time.
example:-People have become open-minded and accept people from different states, religions easily as friends.
Earlier the aim of education was socialization and preservation of culture but now it has to be more than that the reconstructions think that the Education has to play an important role in understanding and giving direction to the present society.
In the present global world learning to live together is important. So the values and the skills required to it must be imparted through Education.
3. Education as a product of Social change
Social reformers advocated several reforms for bringing about social change in the society. They called for the removal of superstition and ignorance. They encouraged the people to develop a sense of equality and self-improvement to improve their lot rather then depending upon destiny. They encouraged them to read scriptures and other books to gain knowledge and insight. They promoted rational and scientific thinking.
Swami Dayananad made the Vedas as the basis of social reforms. He asked people to read them thoroughly. For spreading his message, his followers opened a chain of educational institutions in various parts of India.
Raja Rammohan and swami Vivekananda urged the people to study western science and literature also so that they could acquaint themselves with the progress made by foreign countries.
Thus on the account of the emphasis on various aspects of social reforms, people began to realize that it was not possible to develop self-confidence, self-respect and status without obtaining education. The social reformers themselves started Educational
Institutions at various places to create necessary awareness among the people. Therefore, we say that Education is the product of social change.
Prof. R.B. Mathur explained the concept of social change in “The third India year book of Education – Educational research” (1964) in these words, “Social change refers to the modifications in the organization and behavior of the group as expressed in its laws, institutions, customs, modes and beliefs. The change may be gradual or sudden, evolutionary or revolutionary. When change is supposedly for the better, it becomes ‘progress’ which is essentially an evolutionary concept.”
According to B.Kuppaswami, “When we speak of social change we might assert that there is some change in social behaviour and in the social structure.”
Prof..S.P. Ruhela views social change as, “The term social change might imply changes in social attitudes, behavior, customs, habits, manners, relations and values of people, in social institutions and structures, in the ways or style of living.”
We can see the Social change in two broad areas.
Changes in social structure
1. Family structure: - i.e. Breaking of joint family systems and emergence of nuclear
family.
2. Institutional structure: - like the School i.e. Co-education, awareness of girls
education, use of technology.
3. Zamindari system: - i.e. Abolition of Zamindari system.
4. Caste structure: - i.e. Intercaste marriage.
Nature of social change
Social change is inevitable. Society is dynamic. It is in constant flux. Whether we want a change, whether we like it or not, times are moving fast. Change is the law of nature.
Following characteristics of the change reflect the nature of social change:
1. Social change may be sudden, slow or rapid.
2. All aspects or elements of the social structure may not change.
3. Social change may mean discarding some old things or elements.
4. Social change means addition of new things or elements.
5. Social change may be for the good of the Society.
6. Social change affects a sizeable population of the society.
7. Social change is fairly lasting.
Examples of social changes
a) Agriculture:-Traditional means of agriculture have been modulated to mechanized farming changing the subsistence agriculture to commercialized one.
b) Industry: - Our cottage industries and arts and crafts have been uprooted by heavy industry.
c) Law and jurisprudence:- our on the spot open justice system through Panchayat Adalats has been changed to the justice of evidence which takes longer time and many times guilty person roam scot-free in the society.
d) Social Institutions
· Our joint family system has been changed to nuclear family structure.
· Arranged marriages very often shift to court marriages keeping the parents unaware of these.
· Dowry has changed the concept of simple marriage, very often which result in bride harassment and burning.
e) Culture
· Our traditional culture has been replaced by modern westernized culture.
· Religious beliefs have been eroded by the belief of secularisms. Daily prayers practice has been changed to weekly Satsangs.
· Luxurious living taken place of simple living.
· Deep personal relations based on sharing, cooperation have been revoultionalised and changed by individualized impersonal living which mitigate the good personal neighbourly relations.
f) Transport: - Cart transport has been replaced by fast moving transport like motors, cars, trains, helicopters and aeroplanes.
g) Economy: -Old concept of self-sufficient economy of non-competitive homogeneous unit that is village economy has been replaced by profit market Economy.
h) Exchange system: - Old barter system of exchange has been replaced by money exchange.
i) Moral values:-Due to lack of religious faith the old concept of moral consciousness based on karma theory has been replaced by material economy which brought rampant corruption in the society.
j) Dress and fashion: - Traditional dresses have disappeared and people generally use western dresses.
k) Living: - Old ways of living have totally disappeared. Now people sleep late in the night and get up late in the morning. During the night they see cable T.V, V.C.R.
l) Food: - Old foods have gone. People prefer fast foods, bread, slices, sandwiches
and hamburgers in place of roti, dal and rice.
Social changes are causes by several factors. They are as follow:-
1. Cultural factors: - Changes in culture and influence social relationship. Culture gives
speeds and directions to social change. Like fashions, women’s liberation movement,
renaissance or reformist movements and Satyagraha, definitely cause a lot of social
change in diverse direction.
2. Psychological factors: - The psychology of the human beings may itself become the
cause for social change. Man by nature loves change, desired to invent new things. as
a result of this, attitude changes, customs, traditions etc. also go on changing in the
society in a continuous manner. This does not imply that whatever is new is considered
superior to the old.
3. Technological factors: - In modern age, Technological factors are among the pre-
dominant causes of social change is brought about mainly due to the following
technological factors.
Development of new methods.
Development of means of transport.
Development of means of communication.
Use of machines and industries.
Technology is nothing but applied science which helps in bringing social change with
the changing needs of the Society. In fact, when technology changes, it affects change
in values and when values change, they bring out the corresponding change in
technology. In this way, technological techniques as well as values are both the
essential basis of social change. Both are equally important and essential. Both
actively interact and bring about social change they have caused several far-reaching
social changes in the lives of people in developing as well as developing as well as
developed countries. Radio, television, refrigerator, car, aeroplanes, new
household gadgets etc. have completely changed our style of living, modes of
thinking and social relations and even morals.
4. Climatic factors: - Climatic factors led to the disappearance of the Indus valley. The
entire civilization collapsed and new civilization came up.
5. Demographic factors:-like imbalance caused by change in ratio of males and
females in a given population lead to social change. For example large numbers of
young male soldiers died in Europe during World War II.
6. Natural factors: - Natural factors like earth-quakes, volcanoes, floods, droughts and
floods etc may people render homeless and turning them into refugees, forced the
people to change their whole life style by migrating to other places.
7. Religious factors: - Religious reformer like Gautama Buddha greatly influenced the
social life of the people. Religious and social reformers like swami Dayanand and
swami vivekanada of the 19th century made the people of India conscious of their
social responsibility.
8. Political factors: - Political change like the end of foreign rule in India altogether
changed the social outlook of the people. New aspirations, ideals and values like
democracy, secularism and socialism became the cornerstones of social life.
9 .Other factors: - This included the appearance of new opinion and thoughts. E.g.
changes in the attitude towards dowry, caste system, female education has resulted
in wide spread Social variations and modification.
Process of social change
S.P. Ruhela mentions the most significant process of Social change as under
1) Social mobility: - Social mobility means position in social sphere. This mobility occurs in vertical or horizontal directions. It can be individual or group mobility implies movements. Like rise in status, position, income and economic condition etc. horizontal mobility means change in place without accompanying rise in social or economic status.
2) Modernization: - Definition by Wilbert E Moore, “What is involved in modernization is a ‘total’ transformation of a tradition or pre-modern society into the types of technology that characterize the advanced economically prosperous and relatively politically stable nations of the western world.”
The process of Modernization emphasizes:
v Value change is a pre-requisite for Modernization.
v Positive attitude towards work, wealth, savings, investments, risk-taking, industrialization, material development and development of knowledge.
v Adopt science and technology knowledge in life.
v Change in the traditional thinking, ideas and values. change in the economic, social, political and election system
v Modernization emphasizes material development and change in thinking.
v use of gadgets but attitudes same is not Modernization.
Eg:-A lady washes clothes in the washing machine with ghoonghat.
3) Westernization: - “This is a process of social change by which the culture,
traditions, styles of living and values of the westerners in general and the British in
particular considerably affected the traditional, Indian culture and society, under
the impact of the British rule and the education introduced by them.
The impact /influence of Westernization in India are seen in various aspects
Establishment of scientific, technological and educational institutions e.g. railways, postal facilities, newspaper media.
Acceptance of western manners.
Habits in matters of food, dress, amusement, etiquettes and even morals(clubs)
Breaking of joint family system.
New professions emerged on the basis of system education. E.g. Lawyer, Manager, Clerks, Doctor.
Professions were based on education and not caste.
A movement for social reforms based on western education. E.g. Widow marriage, removal of untouchability.
A new class emerged which believed and adopted English political system, economic System (industries were set up), legal system and culture.
Acculturation of western culture in the Indian culture (through education and culture), western thinking was adopted, and liberal thinking was adopted.
A new class which was English/western educated being dominating.
Negative influences
· Blind imitation and influences of western culture lead to decline of Indian values and culture.
· Freedom was sometimes used without responsibility and sometimes without immorality especially by young people.
· Superiority of English educated class.
4) Urbanization: - A significant feature of this change is the continuous migration
from rural areas to the urban areas. Urbanization leads to growth of towns, cities and urban centers, industrial towns, business projects, educational, commercial etc.
Urbanization has many positive influences.
Ø Rise in income and in standard of living.
Ø Extension of educational institutions.
Ø Extension of civic amenities like roads, hospitals, banks, post offices.
Ø Integration of culture of different sates and region.
Ø Development of an urban culture.
Ø Broadening of thinking, values of acceptance of people, removal of traditional
and conservative and values.
Ø Areas surrounding city got developed.
Ø A competition in different facilities leads to improvement.
Negative influences
Rise in crime
Rise in trade union activities strikes.
Exploitation of labour.
Neglect of agriculture in rural sector.
Increase in slums, unhygienic dwelling.
Rise in pollution.
Problems of education-health centers for slum dwellers/over crowded classrooms.
5) Industrialization: - “It is the process of building up or establishing industries and the
accompanying social institutions and organizations of an industrial society.”
This process lead to several social changes e.g. - rise in trade union activities,
educational institutions, banks, roads, migration of rural population, breaking of family
unit, employment on the basis of technical skills and not caste, western education.
It also leads to various consequences like rise in crime, drinking, trade unionism,
agitations. It also leads to price rice, extension of roads, and other civic amenities,
educational institutions. It leads to employment to many people. It leads to
improvement in standard of living, purchasing, power of people increased. It leads to
better transport and communication.
6) Sanskritization: -In this process, low caste Hindu or tribe or other group attempts to
change its customs, ideologies, rituals and ways of life in the direction of a high caste.
7) Politicalization: - It is the process of Social change through the spread of knowledge
about political ideologies, parties and leaders. In this process of Social change, people
become aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Role of education in social change
Education is an important instrument to bring Social revolutions. Among all the instrument education is considered as the most powerful tool for all, at all levels.
Education commission 1964-66 begins with these words, “The destiny of India is now begin shaped in her classrooms. This, we believe, is no mere rhetoric.”
Education commission has further observed that realization of country’s aspiration involves changes in the knowledge, skills, interests, and values of the people as a whole.
This is basic to every programme of Social and economic betterment of which India stands in need. It has pointed out this fact as “if this change on a grand scale is to be achieved without violent revolution there is one instrument, and one instrument only that can be used, Education. Other agencies may help, and can indeed sometimes have a more apparent impact. But the national system of Education is the only instrument that can reach all people. It is a difficult instrument whose effective use requires strength of will, ‘dedicated’ work and sacrifice. But it is a sure and tried instrument, which has served other countries well in their struggle for development. It can give the will and the skill, do so far India.”
Relationship between Education and Social change
Education and Social change exhibit a relation which is three fold.
1. Education as a condition of Social change
The first form of relationship emphasizes that without the basis, foundation or ground of
Education, no desired social structure or place of social change can be erected. These must be Education as a basic condition and only that can any real social change or modernization be possible. if properly educated and well trained workers are not available to handle that sort of modern machinery, it is bound to cause several grave losses and mills in India where semi-literate and ill-trained workers are meeting numerous failures in increasing the quality and quantity of the goods produced by them and thereby, bringing about no real social change, modernization, progress or improvement in less at a superficial level due to lack of education.
Our constitution -makers had rightly realizes the importance of education and therefore, they had emphatically laid down in the constitution that the state shall be obliged to provide free and compulsory education up to elementary level to all its citizens within a few years of the implementation of the constitution.
2. Education as an instrument of Social change
It is not without reason that Education has received great attention at the hands of leaders, religious and social reformers. They have strongly advocated the use of Education as the most important agents/means or instrument of bringing about changes in the society.
Education is not for the sake of learning or knowledge only.
The British rulers in India introduced a system of Education in India which would enable the Indians to imbibe British culture and manners. Lord Macaulay, the architect of the British system of education in India, in a letter to his father in 1836 wrote, “Hindus are much influenced with education. There is no Hindu who may keep faith in his religion after studying English. “Earlier in 1835 in his minute on Education which was accepted
By Lord William Bentick as the basis system of Education in India, Lord Macaulay had written, “we must at present do our best to form a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, in moral and intellect.” This indicates the importance of Education as an agent or means of social change. Religious and social reformers Raja Ram Mohan Roy, swami Dayananda and Vivekananda considered as the potent weapon of social reform. Freedom fighters, political leaders and statesmen like
Gandhiji laid great stress on Education for improving the economic and social conditions of the people.
Gandhiji wanted his scheme of Basic Education to be the main instrument of Social change. In his words, “The Basic School should be the searched of a non-violent social revolution”.
The well-known American philosopher and Educationist, John Dewey observes, “Education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform. This it does in two Ways: by guiding children towards new values and by assisting the development of intelligence in individual children and increasing society’s potential for its own transformation”.
In India the English education and westerns sciences help leader to introduce social reform like education for girls, sati provision, and widow remarriage.
Example: - Rajarammohan Roy, Ambedkar work influenced by English education.
Education is a peaceful instrument of social change. Some other factors like wars, natural calamities are violent.
Education is a gradual process and it brings a change in the values and attitudes of people thus the change it bring reaches all the people and last or a long time.
example:-People have become open-minded and accept people from different states, religions easily as friends.
Earlier the aim of education was socialization and preservation of culture but now it has to be more than that the reconstructions think that the Education has to play an important role in understanding and giving direction to the present society.
In the present global world learning to live together is important. So the values and the skills required to it must be imparted through Education.
3. Education as a product of Social change
Social reformers advocated several reforms for bringing about social change in the society. They called for the removal of superstition and ignorance. They encouraged the people to develop a sense of equality and self-improvement to improve their lot rather then depending upon destiny. They encouraged them to read scriptures and other books to gain knowledge and insight. They promoted rational and scientific thinking.
Swami Dayananad made the Vedas as the basis of social reforms. He asked people to read them thoroughly. For spreading his message, his followers opened a chain of educational institutions in various parts of India.
Raja Rammohan and swami Vivekananda urged the people to study western science and literature also so that they could acquaint themselves with the progress made by foreign countries.
Thus on the account of the emphasis on various aspects of social reforms, people began to realize that it was not possible to develop self-confidence, self-respect and status without obtaining education. The social reformers themselves started Educational
Institutions at various places to create necessary awareness among the people. Therefore, we say that Education is the product of social change.
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