Introduction

A. Meaning and Nature of Society

B. Origin of Society
C. Types of Society
D. Meaning and Nature of Gender
E. Sociology of Gender
F. Sexuality of Gender
G. Gender Stereotypes

SOCIETY
A. MEANING AND NATURE

Sociologists have defined society with two angles:

1. In abstract terms, as a network of relationships between people or between groups.

2. In concrete terms, as a collection of people or an organization of persons.

Definition:

▪An earlier social scientist, L.T. Hobhouse (1908) defined society as “tissues of relationships”.

▪R.M. Maclver (1937) also defined it in more or less the same terms as “web of social relations which is always
changing”.

▪For Maclver and Page, society is an abstract entity as they write, “We may see the people but cannot see society or
social structure but only its external aspects ... society is distinct from physical reality”.

▪Talcott Parsons (Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 1934) wrote: “Society—may be regarded as the most general
term referring to the whole complex of relations of man to his fellows.”

Nature of Society

1. Society means likeness;

❑Itis an essential-requisite of society.

❑The sense of likeness was focused in early society on kinships that is real or supposed blood relationships.
❑In modern societies, the conditions of social likeness have broadened out in the principle of nationality or one
world.

2. Society also implies difference;

❑But the sense of likeness does not eliminate diversity or variation.

❑Society also implies differences, and it depends on the latter as much as on likeness of all people were exactly
alike, their social relationships would become very much limited.
❑They would contribute very little to one another.

3. Inter-dependence

❑Family, the first society with which we all are closely associated, is based on the biological inter-dependence of
the sexes.

❑None of the two sexes is complete by itself and, therefore, each seeks fulfillment by the aid of the other.
❑This fact of inter-dependence is very much visible in the present world.
 4. Cooperation

❑Without co-operation no society can exist.

❑Unless people cooperate with each other, they cannot live a happy life. Family rests on cooperation.
❑The members of the family cooperate with one another to live happy and joyfully.

B. Origins of Society
1. Historical Evidence
❑Former sociologists appreciate the process of socialization to survive in the society.
❑He should form social relationship through social interaction.
❑Evidence from Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), Harappan Civilization, Egypt

2. Divine Origin theory

❑Divine Origin theory makes society the creation of God.

3. Social Contract theory

❑Views society as an intentionally set up by men for certain ends. According to this theory, all men were born
free and equal. Individual precedes society. Individuals made a mutual agreement and created society.

4. Organic theory
❑Individual is a living organism; the various system must coordinate to maintain his living functions.
❑Described to be similar to the union between the several parts of an animal body wherein all parts are
functionally related and no one part can survive without the rest.

5. Group mind theory

❑Group mind facilitates collective thinking, collective acting each group exhibits their own goals. Individual in
society develop rules, regulations, and norms in the social system

6. Evolutionary theory
❑ Generally correct explanation of the origin of society. According to it society is not a make but a growth. It
is the result of a gradual evolution.
❑It is continuous development from unorganized to organized, from less perfect to more perfect and various
factors helped in its development from time to time. Kinship and family were the earliest bonds uniting man
with man.

7. Force theory
❑ It makes society the result of superior physical force. According to this theory, the society originated in the
subjugation of the weaker by the stronger. The man of exceptional physical strength was able to overawe his
fellowmen and to exercise authority over them.

8. Patriarchal and Matriarchal theory

❑Originally, the family consisted of a man, his wife and children. The father was the head of the family and his
control and authority was complete in all respects over all its members.
❑They reject outright the proposition that the patriarchal family was the earliest form of society. Kinship
could only be traced through mother, matriarch.
C. Types of Society
1. Hunting and Gathering Society - Hunting gathering society relies heavily on hunting wild animals and gathering food
for its survival.

Characteristic:
1. Small in size - Consist of very small but scattered groups. their numbers do not exceed 40-50 members.
2. Nomadic in Nature - Constantly on the move because they must leave once the area is lack of its food resources.
3. Not Desire to Acquire Wealth – Can’t acquire because there is no wealth & their basic norm was sharing.
4. Family and Kinship Are The Only Defined Institutions - Kinship was the basis of these groups they were related by ancestry and marriage.
5. Absence of Political Institution - Statuses are essentially equal & the difference between the leader and followers is not there.
6. Limited or No Division Of Labor - There is gender-based division of Labor but there is no gender inequality.
7. Constant Need to Face Danger - constantly face the danger of extinction in a struggle against adverse environments.
8. Simple Religious Belief – unseen spirits are considered but not necessarily worshipped.

2. Herding or Pastoral Society - form of society whose main subsistence comes from tending flocks and herds of
domesticated animals. Combination of herding with hunting and gathering and other forms of agriculture.
1. Relatively Larger in Size - Due to their “invention” of the domesticated animal which can be used for human food.
2. Pastoralism as A Better Productive Strategy - It provides an assured food supply and collection of surplus resources.
3. Beginning of Inequality than others - Individuals who have better access to surplus, bcome more powerful than others.
4. Nomadism Coupled with Trading - Nomadic bcoz of their seasonal need to find sufficient grazing areas for their herds.
5. Pastoralism and Development of Religious Belief - tend to develop their own religious beliefs.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam – originated among pastoral peoples”
7. Herding Technology Leads to Several Changes - Led to several social changes like 1. Disputes over grazing rights with other
herding societies sometimes result in war. 2. Slavery because of war.

3. Horticulturist Society - Social system based on horticulture, a mode of production in which digging sticks are used to
cultivate small gardens.
1. Domestication of Plants - domestication of plants such as wheat, rice ect.
2. Slash and Burn Technology - People clear areas of land, burn the trees and plants raise crops for 2 or 3 years until the soil
is exhausted and then repeat the process.
3. Horticulturalists Are Better Settled Than Pastoralists - They develop settlements that have larger populations and migrate
in search of better conditions
4. Relatively More Complex Division Of Labor - Assures better food supply of surplus. Existence of surplus leads to specialization of roles.
5. Emergence Of Political Institutions - Surplus production allows some wealthy ppl to become more powerful than others.
6. Creation Of Relatively Elaborate Cultural Artifacts – These people can create more elaborate cultural artifacts. For
example, houses, thrones, or large stone sculptures.
7. Some Rare Practices - Rare practices such as cannibalism, headhunting and human sacrifice.

4. Agricultural Society - Focuses on mode of production primarily on agriculture and production of large fields. The agrarian
revolution marked its beginning.

1. Cultivation Of Land Through Plough - Plough increased productivity and made the increased yield more reliable.
2. Size of the agricultural societies is much greater than that of horticultural and pastoral communities.
3. Appearance of cities - Non-agricultural activities tend to concentrate in some compact places which ultimately led to the birth of the
cities.
4. Emergence Of Elaborate Political Institutions - Establishment of more elaborate social institutions. Ex. Court system
5. Evolution Of Distinct Social Classes - Produces relatively greater wealth, which is unequally shared. 1st time, two distinct

social classes – those who own the land and those who work - make their appearance.
6. Emergence Of A Clearly Defined Economic Institution – Trading and money is used as a medium of exchange.
7. Religion Becomes A Separate Institution - Societies become more complex, religion requires officials such as priests.
8. Warfare And Empire Building - Agricultural societies constantly fight amongst Agricultural Societies.
10. Enrichment Of Culture - More food is produced, support people whose provide creative ideas to the culture. Poets, writers and artists
 11. Revolutionary Transition In The Social Structure - The number of statuses multiplies, population size increases, cities
appear, new institutions emerge, social classes arise, political and economic inequality
becomes built into the social structure, and culture becomes much more diversified.

5. Industrial Society - An industrial society is a system in which large number of labor and machinery is involved in production of
goods and services. Industrial is a group of companies that are related in terms of their primary business activities
1. Industrial Society Is Associated With Industrial Revolution And Industrialism - Industrialism is based on the application of

scientific knowledge to the technology of production, enabling new energy sources to be harnessed.
2. Technology Initiating Vast And Rapid Social Changes - New technologies such as steam engine, atomic energy tend to
bring about social changes as the economic and other institutions constantly adjust to altered conditions.
3. Larger Societies With Huge Populations - The high level of productivity of industrial societies results of population
growth with increasing members living in cities and metropolitan areas.
4. Large Scale Division Of Labor - In this society statuses of politicians, teachers, doctors etc could be achieved.
5. Losing Importance Of Family And Kinship - Family loses many of its functions, Kinship ties are also weakened.
6. Religion Losing Its Hold Over The People - Religion no longer play an important role in controlling the behavior of people.
7. Increasing Importance Of Science And Education - Science is looked as an effective means of socio-economic progress.
8. Increasing Important Role Of The State - State is increasingly involved in the economic, educational, military and other activities.
9. Widening Gap Between The Rich And The Poor- Rich class as the exploiting class, and poor class as exploited class.
10.Spread Of Heterogeneous Culture – Create much more varied culture which spreads its influence far and wide.

6. Post-Industrial Society - Stage of society's development when the service sector generates more wealth than the
manufacturing sector of the economy.

1. The economy undergoes a transition from the production of goods to the provision of services.
2. Knowledge becomes a valued form of capital
3. Producing ideas is the main way to grow the economy
4. Through processes of globalization and automation, the value and importance to the economy of blue-collar, unionized
work, including manual labor (e.g., assembly-line work) decline, and those of professional workers (e.g., scientists, creative-
industry professionals, and IT professionals) grow in value and prevalence.
5. Behavioral and information sciences and technologies are developed and implemented.