Social Institutions

What are social All societies have devised systems for organizing and
and managing its citizens so that these societies may

institutions? continue to exist over time

Societal institutions represent a system of

behavioural patterns that each society develops to
meet its needs (citation here). All societies have ideas
about how the needs of society are to be met, as well
as how social activities are to be arranged. Societal
institution are the collectively the ideas and beliefs
that people have about how human activities are to be
organized within the society. These ideas and beliefs
therefore form the foundation of any society.

The social institutions of a society provide established

patterns for dealing with predictable aspects of social
life.
Societal institutions and Societal institutions are give rise to social
organizations. These are the physical social
social organizations arrangements created for a specific purpose, to carry
out and enforce the collective norms, goals, values
and behaviours of a society.

For example, religion is an example of a societal

institutions, while churches, mosques and temples are
social organizations.
Sociological The two main sociological perspectives on societal
institutions are functionalism and conflict theory (or

perspectives on societal Marxism).

institutions Functionalists posit that society is comprised of a

group of social institutions that coexist and follow
fundamental rules to ensure peace, order and stability
in that society. If disorder ever does occur, the social
institutions will, through individuals or social
organizations, respond to restore equilibrium .

Conflict theorists on the other hand, see societal

institutions as often oppressive and reinforcing
hierarchical arrangements. There is usually an
imbalance of power between different groups of
people, and societal institutions are used to justify and
reinforce this inequality.
Types of social
institutions
● Family
● Education
● Religion
The main social institutions that ● Political and justice systems
influence society and culture in the
Caribbean are:
 The institution of family exists in all societies. It
The Family in the represents the collective ideas and beliefs that people

Caribbean have about rearing and socializing children into the

norms of that particular society. It encompasses
practices such as courtship, marriage child-rearing
and family life.

The formation of Caribbean families is varied and

unique and has been influenced by historical, cultural,
religious, political and religious evolution of Caribbean
society.

A study of the Caribbean family involves analysis of

the dominant and subordinate ideas about family life
that have evolved over time .
Functions of a Family According to the functionalist perspective, the family
carries out the following functions:

● Reproduction
● Socialization
● Economic function
● Emotional support function

Reproduction or procreation ensure the continuation

of society by through the provision of new members.
The family also provides a framework to regulate
sexual activity and gratification in society.
Functions of a Family Socialization involves teaching the young the norms,
values and acceptable behaviours of their society and
culture.

The emotional support function provides family

members with love, a sense of security, comfort and
help in times of distress this function is important for
the social, emotional and intellectual development of
its members.

The economic function provides family members with

their material needs such as food, shelter and
clothing, as well as financial support
Characteristics of According to the ‘dominant’ perspective of family,
the marriage and nuclear families represent the

Caribbean Family ideal family form. However, Caribbean family forms

are extremely diverse. We see nuclear, extended,

Forms visiting and single parent families, but there are

many other variations to these forms.

An understanding of the historical evolution of

Caribbean societies provides context for
understanding the diversity of Caribbean family
formation. Sociological perspectives of the family
also provide insight into why some family forms are
held in higher esteem when compared to others. For
example, the nuclear family is typically regarded
highly, and is often associated with the more
wealthy and powerful members of society. On the
other hand, ‘traditional’ family forms such as
matifocal or female-headed families are often
regarded as an irregularity or dysfunctional.
 The arrangement of Caribbean families has its roots

Characteristics of in the historical development of Caribbean social

formation. Their presentation today represent the
Caribbean Family process of hybridization that has become a central

Forms contd. feature of Caribbean society.

Colonization, enslavement and indentureship have

produced variation in the family forms that now
exist. Eurocentrism has led to nuclear family forms
being regarded as the dominant or ‘standard’ when
it comes to forming families. While other ‘traditional’
family forms such as the extended family,
introduced by the East Indians was not considered
to be the ideal form by western standards.
Characteristics of We see even further variation in family forms,
among Afro-Caribbean people. During enslavement,
Caribbean Family African people preserved family life through an

Forms contd. extended network of community support which did

not reflect any of the features of ‘traditional’ or
classical family forms; for example nuclear and
extended families. Their family network was not
usually based on marriage or cohabitation, as these
practices were prohibited for the enslaved. Men and
women lived separately, while children were cared
for by women. As a result, visiting type relationships
and common-law unions emerged.
 The Nuclear Family

Characteristics of The nuclear family consists of a father, mother and

their unmarried children living under the same roof.
Caribbean Family This family type was promoted within the region by
white, Christian colonizers.
Forms contd. The nuclear family was viewed by European
colonizers as the ‘standard’ of an ideal family type,
while other family types associated with non-
European societies and cultures were perceived as
improper or even dysfunctional. This perception has
been reinforced by Eurocentric, Christian teachings
and the presumed superiority white European norms
and values.

Additionally, the nuclear family structure supports

and reinforces the idea of male supremacy within
the household and the wider society. This explains
with matrifocal family forms are generally rejected
as an ideal form.
Characteristics of The Extended Family

Caribbean Family The traditional extended family consists of two or

more generations living together in one house hold.

Forms contd. It may consist of several married siblings and their

children, with grandparents and other relatives. The
traditional extended family is mainly seen amongst
East Indians, particularly Hindus and Muslims.

This family structure is generally patriarchal and is

often patrilocal. They also have strong kinship ties,
arranged marriages and practice endogamy.

Males are more highly valued than females, as

males are seen as assets. Gender roles are also
strictly defined in this family type.
Characteristics of The Single Parent Family

Caribbean Family The family consists of only one parent, either

mother or father, who have full responsibility for

Forms contd. their child or children. In the Caribbean, matrifocal

households are more prominent that patrifocal
ones.

Extended family networks play an important support

system for this family type by supplementing child
care, financial assistance and socialization support.
Characteristics of The Visiting Family

Caribbean Family This is a variation of the single parent family in that,

the mother and child live separately form the father,

Forms contd. and the father visits them. They still operate as a
family and maintain a sexual and emotional
relationship.

This practice originated during slavery, where

marriage and cohabitation were prohibited among
the enslaved.

This family type was mainly seen in lower-income

Afro-Caribbean families. Women often entered
relationships for financial support. As a means of
economic survival, women also may have sexual
relations with men other that the child’s father.
Characteristics of Common-law Unions

Caribbean Family Common-law marriage is widespread throughout

the Caribbean and is mainly seen in the Afro-

Forms contd. Caribbean community. It involves a couple living in a

committed and lasting relationship without being
formally, or legally married.

In most Commonwealth territories, common-law

marriages have the same legal status as formal
marriages.
Characteristics of The Blended or Reconstituted Family

Caribbean Family This family type consists of the union of parents and
children from previous relationships. It is common

Forms contd. to all ethnicities.

Historical Factors ● Colonization and the Plantation System

Influencing the ● Slavery

Structure of Caribbean ● Indentureship

Families ● Emancipation and Migration

● Independence

● Modernization

● Race and Ethnicity