SOCIAL
IMPLICATIONS OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
Education
produces changes in the behaviour pattern of the individuals. This changes in
the behaviour pattern of the individuals will produce changes in the society.
This relationship between education and sociology has given birth to a new
branch of study known as educational sociology. George Payne, known as the
father of educational sociology, published in the book, Principles of
Educational Sociology, which threw light on the effect of education on social
life and of social life on education. Educational sociology is primarily
concerned with social factors in education/social structure, the social process,
the social control and social changes. Educational sociology is a branch of
sociology. It is the sociological study of educational institutions and
processes. It may be defined as the study of education from the sociological
point of view. It centres on the study of social institutions and their role in
education. It is the study of relationship between education and social system.
From another perspective, sociology can be seen as focusing on education and
attempting to understand educators, Schools, and other educational institutions
in their social and cultural contexts. The sociology of education is concerned
with the relationship between education and society.
Sociology
of education may be defined as the scientific analysis of social processes and
social patterns involved in the educational system. An analysis of the social
role or roles also comes under the purview of analytical studies included in
the field of sociology of education.
MEANING AND DEFINITION
The
Educational Sociology is a branch of sociology which has come in to existence
as a synthesis between education and sociology. Because educational sociology
concerns it itself with the development of individuals and the society, it
necessarily has to study well the working of various social institutions,
social customs and traditions, social rules, social codes and norms of
behaviour which affect human progress and development through various
educational activities and experiences.
George Payne is regarded as the father of educational sociology. In his book he
has discussed the influence of education upon group life and the effect of the
group life upon education. He has also
laid emphasis up on the study of all those social influences which influence
human beings in the growth and complete development. In addition to Payne,
other sociologists like John Dewey, Moore, Fredrick Lepay, Ducan, Cole and
MacIver have contributed a great deal in the development of educational
sociology. John Dewey in his books – School and Society and Democracy and
Education laid great importance to educational sociology and regard education
as a social process. He attaches great importance to working of social
consciousness which inspires an individual to achieve more and more educational
eminence. This social consciousness is the essential base of education and as
such needs close study of its working and development .
Definitions
1
“Educational sociology is the study of interaction of the individual and his
cultural environment.” - Brown
2
“Educational sociology start with the assumption that education is an activity
which goes on in society and the society in turn determines the nature of
education.” - Ottaway.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIOLOGICAL EDUCATION
The
chief characteristics sociological Education is as follows:
1. Modifying individuals
behaviour: The sociological education not only emphasizes the
development of a child's inherent tendencies, it also lays stress upon the
adjustment of a child’s thinking and behaviour in harmony with the environmental
conditions and Circumstances.
2. Preparation for successful
social life: It create such a dynamic citizens who are conscious of their
rights and duties and discharging their obligations to the utmost extent by
participating in the economic, political, social activities of the country to
the full to lead their on lives successfully and contributed their best to the
social and good value to the society.
3. Opposition of
individualism: This tendency tries
to correct the imbalance generated by excessive adherence to individualism of
this century. It emphasizes social welfare over individual development only.
4. Development of social
values: It lays stress upon the development of social qualities in children
so that, by understanding their social obligations, their able to lead their
lives happily.
5. Importance of social
subjects in the curriculum: Sociological tendencies advocate the inclusion
in the curriculum of those subjects the study of which builds the capacity to
meet social needs and solve social problems. Hence, assigning lesser importance
to academic subjects, this tendencies attache great value to the study of
natural science and social science.
6 Free and compulsory
education For social welfare and development, contribution of all
individuals is essential. To develop this feeling, education is the only
effective means. This reduce the social superstitious.
7 Understanding the
complexities life It emphasizes up on the fact that children should
understand the complexities of modern life. A clear understand of these will
enable them to choose freely their own paths and directions.
8 Study of problems connected
with practical life This brings out in to prominence the need of enabling
children to understand the intricacies and problems of actual and practical
life in Morden times. This will enable them face the challenges of life boldly
and contribute their best social welfare.
9 Emphasizes on vocational
education like scientific tendencies, this tendency also emphasizes the
need and importance of vocational, technical and industrial education so that,
after receiving such education, children are able to earn their livelihood by
their on efforts and contribute their best social welfare and development.
10 State educational system This
tendency believes in the democratic setup of state for success of which
education of the masses is essential. Hence, this tendency advocates an
efficient state system of education for the good of one and all.
AIMS OF EDUCATIONAL SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
shapes education and thus forms a vital force in the entire framework of
education. The educational sociologist laid greater stress on social aims in
education. He always thinks in terms of society in fixing in the aims of
education. This social aims of education is to inculcate social qualities and
social feelings and social responsibilities in children. The aims of education
is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but to make the individual 'socially
acceptable and responsible, technically efficient and personally well
adjusted'. In short, Educational sociologist emphasizes education for
citizenship, social efficiency, democracy, equality, cultural progress,
leadership...
According
to Harington, the following are the aims of educational sociology.
1 To acquire knowledge about
school work and the work of teachers in relation to society and social
progress.
2 To study the effects of social
elements on the schools
3 To acquire knowledge about the
effects of social elements on individual
4 To construct a curriculum of
education with full understanding of the economic and cultural tendencies of
society.
5 To gain knowledge about the
democratic ideologies
6 To employ research techniques
for achieving the aims of educational sociology
SCOP OF EDUCATIONAL SOCIOLOGY
Educational
sociology is a wide and comprehensive subject because it deals with the
influence of educational process on sociology and the effects of sociological
processes on education. William T. Hartis, The United State commissioner of
educational, was the first educationist to emphasize the education must be
based on sociology. John Dewey, the well known educational philosopher
expressed his view 'my pedagogic creed' that the schools is primarily a social
institution, education being a social process. The scope of educational
sociology can be summarized as
1 Mutual relation of teachers and
students
2 Importance and role of teacher
in society
3 social problems needs and
aspirations
4 Small units of society and
their interrelation
5 The school and its relation
with local social institutions
6 Effect of social life upon
individual and schools
7 Progress of democratic feelings
in school
8 Necessary modifications in the
curriculum for individual and social growth.
9 Encouragement to critical
thinking and investigation
10 Evaluation of radio, T.V.,
press as medium of social progress
11 Determination of teaching
methods for the development of the child
12 Investigation of all the
sources of social restriction and social advancement
13 Study of school as a miniature
society
14 Creation of democratic
sentiments in pupils.
15 Needs and problems of the community
16 influence of social life on
the school and the individuals
17 Aims, curriculum, methods of
teaching and role of teacher in the social context
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATIONAL SOCIOLOGY
We
are throwing light on the importance of educational sociology in the following
lines
1 Educational sociology starts
its work with the belief that man is a
social being. This feeling was not prevalent in ancient times. In those
days, racial discrimination held sway over the mines of people in general. Thus
it was not right of every individual to receive education. For example, in
ancient India, none except the Brahmins had the right the Vedas. In the same
way, only the Ashtrays alone could learn the art of warfare. But the conditions
have vastly changed today.
Because of the influence of
educational sociology, it is now the right of every human being to receiving
much education as he is capable of according his needs, aptitudes and
abilities.
2 Educational sociology affords
full protection in the preservation and progress of culture. Thus, everybody
becomes able to develop those cultural qualities which prompt international
understanding and welfare.
3 Educational sociology
formulates such rules and procedures which establish and develop social growth.
4 By the help of educational
sociology individual endeavour to create those social institutions which are
above all discrimination and differences. All fellow human beings receive due
recognition and encouragement for their development to the fullest extent
possible.
5 Educational sociology secures
for an individual a safe, reliant and self development living in society.
Social science promotes social adjustment by one and all and inculcates in them
urges and desires for social service and social good.
6 Educational sociology tries to
secure and promote happy life for all individuals. The mass of people
understand their welfare strive to achieve social good for all. Educational
sociology strives to gain understanding social groups, their creation and
coming in to existence and their inter relation and inter dynamic.
EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGES
The
dynamic nature of society brings about changes in social organizations, in
the behaviour of the people and the
culture of the people. These changes in the society are called social changes.
It is reflected in the laws, customs, modes and beliefs of the peoples. It
implies change in the lifestyle of group or society. There are three types of
social changes.
1 Civilization change referring
to dress, and food habits, production techniques, communication system...
2 Cultural changes associated
with new knowledge, religion, rituals, arts, literature...
3 Changes in the social
relationships such as between father and son, teacher and student, husband and
wife...
Whenever
an interaction taken place between to individuals or in each human
relationship, there is some novelty, particular style and some changes. These
changes called social changes. Social change may involve new techniques, new
ways of making a living, changes in the residence, developing of new ideas and
formulation of new values, modification in traditional style, changes in social
structure.
According
to R.B. Mathur “Social changes refers to the modification in the organization
and behaviour of the groups as expressed in its laws, institutions and customs
and beliefs”. It may also be in dress, habits, traditions, folkways and values.
Social change comprehensive change including changes in social structure,
social relationship and cultural aspects.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
1 Geographical factors like
climatic conditions that influence the the social conditions
2 Psychological factors like
motivation, individualization...
3 Sociological factors like
social conflicts, social oppressions, modernization...
4 Explosion of population
5 The environmental factors like
newly built cities, industrialized and urbanized natural environment
6 The scientific and
technological factors like technical advancements, new inventions, modern
machineries, tools …
7 The ideological factors like
social philosophy, political philosopher and religious philosophy
8 The legislative factors like
legislation on temple entry, banning child marriages...
9 The impact of western
civilization and cultural diffusion
10 contacts with people of
different culture
11 The level of education and
literacy attained by the society
12 Modernization of the society
13 New attitudes to wealth, work,
saving and risk taking
14 War, Natural calamities,
revolutions, migrations of the peoples
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND SOCIAL
CHANGE
According
to V.R. Taneja “Education and social change is a two way traffic, while education preserves, transmits
and disseminates the whole culture, social changes is the instrument and
precondition of educational thought.”.The following are the relationship
between these two.
1 Education as a condition of
social changes it is noted that social changes 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 a and
outdated customs, which social progress, can be prevented by education. It is
to be noted that many progressive reformers like Hindu code bill and
untouchability removal act remained ineffective due to the illiteracy of a
large number of Indian people.
2 education as a instrument of
social change, education is considered as powerful instrument for social
changes, because it deals mainly with the thought patterns and behaviour pattern
of the younger generation. The axe of education can cut down the thick roots of
traditional superstitions, ignorance and backwardness. Education prepares the
people for social changes
3 Education as an effect of
social changes. In the wake of social changes, people became aware of the need
for educational progress. The changes caused by political upheaval,
industrialization, technological progress and religious reform movements
naturally demands more educations in order to maintain social equilibrium. In
India the enrolment in educational institutions has increased enormously since
independence.
We
may summarize the relation between education and social change in the following
way.
1 Education initiates the social
changes and gives them direction and purpose
2 Education creates social
reformers and leaders who consciously make all the efforts to bring about
social changes.
3 Education prepare individual
for social changes. It brings a change in the need dispositions and also
creates frustrations.
4 Education determines nature of
social changes, which ought to be brought about
Conclusion
Sociology
shapes education and forms a vital force in the entire frame work of education.
The social aim of education is to inculcate social qualities and social feelings
and social education is prominent in different perspectives. Sociology can be
seen as focusing an education an attempting to understand educators, schools,
and other educational institutions in their social and cultural context. As
Emily Durkheim considered education “to be something essentially in character,
in its origin and its function and that as results the theory of education
relates more clearly to sociology than to any other science”
Education
produce change in the behavior pattern of the individuals. This change in the
behavior pattern of individual will produced change in society. Their
relationship between education and sociology given birth to a new branch of
study is called educational sociology. To conclude I would say education is a social
process, it brinks about socially acceptable behavior patterns in individuals
and socializes the child. The social structure, social process, social
communities and social changes have their influence on education. Thus
education and sociology are interrelated.
REFERENCES
Lloyd Allen Cook & Elaine Forsyth Cook. (1960). Sociological
Approach to Education. Bombay: Tata Mcgrw hill publishing company ltd.
Sharma, V. K. (2005). Education And Sociological Thoughts. New
Delhi: Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd.
Thankachan, T. C. (2011). Philosophical And Sociological Bases of
Education. Kottayam: V Publishers.
