Why is Family and Religion important to society?
Family is a social instituition that plays a critical role in the socialization of an individual and development of a personal identity. The kinship system defines an individual's relationships with another within a family, either related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption.
Family, whether part of the nuclear (immediate) or extended relatives, changes in response to economic and social conditions. Yet, the family continues to drive development of children and adults, based on interactions and attitudes.
Likewise, religion is a very important agent of sociolization. A set of beliefs pertaining to deity, creation, and death can bring people together. Emile Durkheim, one of the greatest sociologists that ever lived, explains that religion can bring individuals together in a "collective consciousness", due to the values and beliefs that are common among them. This creates a feeling that a person is part of a greater whole. Religion can give purpose to life and influence actions.
How has Religion and Family affected my own life?
Family has affected many aspects of my development and the socialization process in my life. As the oldest child in the family, I was given certain responsibilities and obligations to help my younger siblings. My parents treated me as an adult for most of my childhood and really influenced the way that I saw myself.
The family is the foundation for society. Without good parents to teach children, the younger generations will grow up without proper expectations and morals.
Religious beliefs have been a guiding principle in almost every action I have made. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was baptized at the age of eight. The church functions on the basis of service and a lot of social activities were centered around the church. A lot of my closest friends were from the church and influenced my expectations for myself.
As a member of the church, I pay 10% of all my income to the church, abide by the word of wisdom (dietary beliefs- no strong drink, alcohol, or harmful substances), and I attend church services every Sunday. I feel very connected to the other members of the church, due to our common beliefs.
Religion and Family are the most important agents of Socialization in my life. Below, you will see a picture of my own family.
MY NUCLEAR FAMILY
Contents of this post:
- A link to an article from FAMILIES magazine
- A photograph that represents families and collective consciousness
- The video called Religion, Ethics, and Social Practice
- A link to the Association Religious Data archives webpage
- A link to The Family Research Council webpage
- A quote by Letty Cottin Pogrebin, about families
Link to article from FAMILIES magazine:
This article talks about the importance of families and religion as agents of socialization. It shows research which suggests that parents with an education are more likely to encourage their children to pursue an education also.
"As the primary agent of socialization and the first
“educator”, the family, plays an essential role in the
transmission of the fundamental values that
encourage and nurture learning in a young child." Perrino, R.D. (2005)
In addition, religion is a very important stabilizer in a child's life, according to this article. Religion establishes norms for behavior and values for a child to follow. It also helps a child withstand influences from external forces, such as the media, peers, and "profanity," things of the everyday world.
Read more at this link!
Collective Conciousness:
The body of beliefs common to a community or society that gives people a sense of belonging. Collective conciousness is established through religion.
The body of beliefs common to a community or society that gives people a sense of belonging. Collective conciousness is established through religion.
This photograph represents collective conciousness, because there is a common bond between these people that holds them together, unified.
Nuclear Family:
A married couple and their children. This ideal family is becoming more rare in society, as divorce rates and nontraditional families are formed.
Image: Goa News (2011)
Video: Religion, Ethics and Social Practice
This video shows images of groups and individuals with a common belief who are coming together for a single purpose. To me, it represents the idea of collective conciousness, which gives people a sense of belonging. It also talks briefly about agents of socialization, and how the media and other influences are affecting the values of humanity and our children.Video: Jades Fire (2007)
Association Religious Data archives webpage:
This is a really neat website that provides useful information about many different types of religion, including demographics and beliefs. In addition, you can see different national religions and the percentage of a certain religion in that area. Check it out!
The United States Religious Composition:
The Family Research Council website:
The family research council website is a great resource for reading about current issues in family, religion, and freedom. Their mission statement talks about the importance of family:
"Family Research Council champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society."
Summary: Quote about Family as an agent of socialization
"The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group. The family endures because, better than the commune, kibbutz, or classroom, it seems to individualize and socialize its children, to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectations. Only in the family can so many extremes be reconciled and synthesized. Only in the family do we have a lifetime in which to do it. "
- Letty Cottin Pogrebin (n.d)
References:
Pogrebin, L (n.d). [quote]. Retrieved from: http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/family/.
Fire, Jade (2007). [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBIqnkzS2CI.
Goa News (2011). [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=1337
Kingdom Christian University (2011) [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.kingdomchristianuniversity.org/courses/biblical-studies-courses.php.
Perrino, R.D. (2005) [Quote]. Retrieved from http://www.nvtutoring.com/pdfs/Socialization.pdf.
No comments:
Post a Comment