Understanding Social Structure: Meaning, Elements, and Types

Social structure is the arrangement of social units within a society, encompassing groups, institutions, associations, and organizations. It consists of normative systems, position systems, and sanction systems to maintain order and function harmoniously. Social institutions play a vital role in preserving societal values and behaviors, operating in key areas like kinship, power, economy, education, and religion. Marriage, as a social institution, outlines the rights and responsibilities of partners.

• Social structure
• Institutions
• Norms
• Marriage
• Society

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1. Social Structure Meaning, Elements and Types

2. Meaning It is an Social Arrangements in society Social Structure is an abstract phenomenon It refers to external aspect of the society Units of Structure: 1. Groups 2. Institutions 3. Associations 4. Organization All these units are interrelated to each other

3. Social Structure is made up of structural forms which are arranged in an interrelated way to enable the society to function in an harmonious manner According to Talcott structure is a term applied to the particular arrangement of the interrelated institutions, agencies and social patterns as well as the statuses and roles which each persons assumes in the group Parsons, Social

4. Elements of Social Structure Normative System: values, Norms, ideals Position System Sanction System A system of Anticipated Response Action System

5. Social Institutions Social Institutions are essential to maintain the ordered arrangement of social structure A social institution is a complex, integrated set of social norms organized around the preservation of a basic societal value They are collective modes of behaviour They binds the members of the group together

6. Cntd It operate in five basic areas of life: (1) In determining Kinship (Family) (2) In providing for the legitimate use of power (State) (3) In regulating the distribution of goods and services (Economy) (4) in transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next (Education)and (5) in regulating our relation to the supernatural (Religion)

7. Marriage It is an institutions which admits men and women to family life They are socially permitted to have children According to Lundberg, Marriage consists of the rules and regulations which define rights, duties and privileges of husband and wife, with respect to each other . Marriage is approved social pattern where two or more persons establish a family

8. Forms of Marriages One Wife, many husbands: (Polyandry) One husband, many wives (Polygyny) One man, one wife (Monogamy) Companionate Marriage(Marriage my be dissolved by mutual consent) Experimental Marriage (Staying together before marriage)

9. Exogamy: Marriage outside the clan/kinship Endogamy: Marriage within the same caste group