GNED 10: Gender and Society

so-ci-e-ty
/səˈsīədē/ (Illustration by iStock/smartboy10)

- is a group of people involved with each other through persistent relations, or a large
social grouping sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject
to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations (ScienceDaily,
2020).

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, you are expected to:

1. understand the significance of society for human well-being;

2. explain the various perspectives of society; and
3. relate knowledge on society to strengthen one’s role in community
development.

1.1 Origin of Society

The Society's root is the evolutionary development of social

organization in man. It is an important subject of human evolutionary
biology, anthropology and prehistory. It's a continuous evolution from
unorganized to organized, and from less ideal to great.

In the fifteenth century the word society emerged and is derived

from French société. In turn, the French word had its roots in the Latin
societas -- a "friendly relationship with others. From socius meaning,
"companion, associate, comrade or business partner". Implicit in the
concept of society is that its members share a mutual interest or concern,
a common goal or common characteristics (New World Encyclopedia).

Society has been used in the social sciences to denote a group of

people forming a semi-closed social structure, in which most connections
are with other individuals belonging to the group
(https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/s/Society.htm).
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1.2 Nature of Society

Society among humans is universal. It has performed significant

adaptive functions for centuries which have improved the chances of
survival for humans. Members are interdependent on one another as they
uphold rules of conduct, customs, folk and mores, traditions, and standards
of society (Palispis, 2007).
Human beings are basically creatures of a social order, with the
ability to be in close contact with others. Human life starts with the family
and is one of interdependence and exchange of physical, mental and
spiritual things. While conflict within and between societies has been the
dominant feature of human history, all societies are struggling to preserve
harmony within (to ensure their members' happiness and safety) and, at
least in more recent times, many are now seeking harmony among diverse
societies in their efforts to build a world of peace and prosperity for all (New
World Encyclopedia).

1.3 Characteristics of Society (Coloma, et. al., 2012)

A society maybe characterized by:

1. Social Solidarity - members live and work together for mutual benefits.
Group as well as individual ends can be achieved only through
collective, collaborative manner or team work.

2. National/ Cultural Identity – members of society share common culture

which enables them to follow patterns of action for harmonious
existence with others.

3. Language – members use a common language to communicate with

one another.

4. Hierarchical Organization – society is an economic, social, and industrial

organization.

5. Large Membership – it is the largest social unit.

 GNED 10: Gender and Society

6. Specific Territory – members live in a definite geographical area.

7. Ability to Sustain Membership – it has the ability to endure, produce, and

sustain several generation of members (Palispis, 2007).

1.4 Elements of Society

✓ Mutual interaction of individuals

✓ Mutual inter relationship between individuals
✓ A pattern of system
✓ Reciprocal awareness is the most important ingredient
✓ Common propensity….. “we” feeling
✓ Like mindedness
✓ Implications of differences/ diversities/ variations
✓ Interdependence
✓ Cooperation
✓ Society is responsible for the mental and intellectual development of its
dwellers
✓ Confers safeguard of our cultures and guarantees its transmission to the
future generations
✓ Individual and society interacts with each other and depends on one
another
✓ Instability in any of the aspect gives rise to opposition between the
individuals and society.

So basically, society and individuals are complimentary

and supplementary to each other.

Interdependence is seen among groups, communities, societies

and even nations
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

1.5 Types of Society

Sociologists have classified the different types of societies, each of

which possesses their own unique characteristics:

1. Hunting and Gathering Societies

➢ Stone and wood were the predominant raw materials for the
making of tools and weapons.

➢ They used simple technology to hunt animals and gather edible

vegetation for survival.

➢ They transferred from one forest to another in search of food.

➢ Ties and kinship were vitally important in most hunting and gathering
groups, and social interaction usually revolved around kinship roles.

➢ The division of labor was based on age and sex.

➢ The women typically gathered fruits and vegetables, while men did
most of the hunting.

➢ The only specialized positions were “Headman” the political leader

and “Shaman” the spiritual leader.

➢ Overall, the social organization of hunting and gathering societies

was relatively simple and equal.

2. Horticultural, Fishing and Pastoral Societies

➢ Horticultural societies are those societies in which the major

portion of the dietary intake of the members is obtained from
crops which are grown on land which is cleared by the slash
and burn technique.

➢ History tell us that the horticultural society developed a

community that used simple hand tools to raise crops.
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

➢ The fishing societies were more advanced than the previous

societies.

➢ Fishermen had a permanent house. They had less inclination to

travel compared to the hunters and gatherers.

➢ Pastoral societies domesticated animals.

➢ People during this time lived in places conducive to raising

domesticated animals like in mountain, rocky plains, etc. which
are not fitted to vegetation.

➢ Herding and horticultural societies discovered that the food

sources could be produce and reproduce.

➢ The domestication of plants and animals transformed societies in

various ways:
• Producing more food allowed societies to expand.
• The domestication of plants and animals enabled
societies to generate a material surplus– more
resources than necessary to sustain day-to-day living.

➢ There were advances in housing technology and home

industries such a way weaving, pottery, and leather craft.

➢ Efficiency and effectiveness of tools and weapons markedly

improved.

➢ The technological capacity to produce a surplus of food also

resulted in pronounced social inequality.

3. Agrarian Societies

➢ Agrarian societies are societies which are based upon crops

which are produced in conjunction with the use of the plow
technique.

➢ Marked a major improvement in the lives of the people during

that time.
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

➢ Further technological advance led to emergence of the

agrarian society engaging in large-scale agriculture with the
use of plows drawn by animals.

➢ There were advances in housing technology and home

industries such a way weaving, pottery, and leather craft.

➢ Efficiency and effectiveness of tools and weapons markedly

improved.

➢ The technological capacity to produce a surplus of food also

resulted in pronounced social inequality.

The major features of the agrarian society were as follows:

▪ The use of animal-drawn plow produced food far more

efficiently than the hand tools used in the horticultural society.

▪ The greater surplus of food produced by agriculture enabled

a large proportion of the population to engage in various
specialized activities such as education, trading, etc.

▪ Money emerged as a means of exchange replacing barter

as a system of trade among people engaged in specialized
activities.

▪ Communication and transportation facilities were greatly

improved.

▪ The expansion of trade sparked the growth of cities as

economic and political centers.

▪ Agrarian societies produced dramatic social inequality. In

many cases, a large proportion of the populations were
slaves or peasants who labored for the elite ruling class.

▪ The social power the of the elite greatly expanded and they
exercised absolute control over large empires.
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

▪ With the domestication of the horse and the invention of the

wheels, military technology became more advanced and
efficient.

4. Industrial Societies

➢ Industrial Societies used sophisticated machinery powered by

advanced fuels to produce material goods.

➢ The muscle power of humans and animals was no longer the

basis of production.

➢ Tools and machinery became more complex and efficient

owing to the incorporation of metal alloys such as steel.

Industrialization created societies of unparalleled size and prosperity. It

brought about the following effects:

• Industrialization
• The improved standard of living of the people was due to
invention.
• Occupational specialization became more pronounced than
ever.
• The family lost much of its traditional significance as the center of
social life.
• Advanced health-related technology increased the life
expectancy of the people leading to population growth.
• Industrialization
• The improved standard of living of the people was due to
invention.
• Occupational specialization became more pronounced than
ever.
• The family lost much of its traditional significance as the center of
social life.
• Advanced health-related technology increased the life
expectancy of the people leading to population growth.
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

5. Post-industrial Societies

➢ It is a society of technically advanced nations, based largely on the

production of services and information instead of goods.

➢ This is how Daniel Bell, American sociologist described the late 20th
century. This term which he coined in his 1974 book The Coming of
Post-Industrial Society refers to a society characterized by the
centrality of theoretical knowledge as the source of innovation and
policy formulation.

There are four primary characteristics of a post-industrial society:

• The economy undergoes a transition from the production of goods

to the provisions of services.

• Knowledge becomes a valued form of a capital.

• Producing ideas is the main way to grow the economy.

• Behavioral and information sciences and technologies are

developed and implemented.

1.6. Society in Various Perspective

a. Evolutionary
➢ Society moves in specific directions. It progresses to higher and
higher levels.
b. Political
➢ Political system was established as necessary measure to protect
the members of the society. It is established to provide control
mechanisms necessary for a peaceful and progressive living.
c. Economical
➢ People are undeniably must produce to address and sustain
essential needs of the now and next generation.
 GNED 10: Gender and Society

References:

Coloma, M., et. al. (2012). Essentials of sociology and anthropology: An interactive
study. Quezon City: C & E Pub.

Palispis, E. (2007). Introduction to sociology and anthropology. Sampaloc, Manila:

Rex Book Store Inc.
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Society

https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/s/Society.htm
https://study.com/academy/lesson/types-of-societies-in-sociology-lesson-quiz
html