Question

Impact of modernization on the structure and function of rural society

Answer 1

According to Ronald (2000) Modernization is the evidence of massive cultural change and the persistence of
distinctive cultural traditions. This change is associated with shifts, away from absolute norms and values that
are increasing rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory modernization. That are widely viewed as a
uniquely western process that non-western societies could follow only in so far as they abandoned
technologically and morally. The cultural change is the reason for modernization and bringing change in its
characteristics. According to Arnold and Hurn (1966) Modernization refers to those social changes, which
emerge through institutions and organizations like those found in different societies. Definitions of
modernization all tend to include a similar list of these institutions or the processes through which they come
into being, e.g. urbanization, socio-cultural change, normative change, and other issues of the society.
However, various conceptions of modernization differ with regard to which of the processes are considered
especially salient (primary, most basic, most difficult, etc.). Modernization necessarily involves an experience
of social change for the modernizing of population. People must change their personalities and/or their
occupations and/or their values and/or their loyalties.” If we study about modernization in society we can see
social change is the result of modernization, which is generating institutions and organizations in society and
giving a new outlook to society.
This is understood that modernization describes the process of change from a traditional, Agrarian Society to a
modern Industrial Society. As a result of industrialization, the social structure and beliefs of society have
changed drastically. According to Chaudhry (2004), Modernization has increased urbanization in present time.
The rural family develops more and more towards centrifugal tendencies. Its economic homogeneity based
upon a single cumulative economic activity of its members; declines. Joint family property tends to be
disrupted since its individual adult members being increasingly engaged in different occupations. Because of
this reason they are unable to reside together. The family members break away from the family restrictions.
They develop their own initiatives for independence. The inevitable result is the weakening of the family
authority, family ties and the family itself.
This statement emphasizes the impact of modernization on family structure. Family is a social unit, and
cultural anthropologists have identified different fundamental types of family. The nuclear, extended and joint
families are the major types of the family structure with adopt values, norms and beliefs from their ancestors
so that they can formulate it, follow it, and can change it. Now at present our society is being modernized
through media and communication, and even trade has a variable effect on the cultural and family norms.
According to Hezel (1991) Family may have as many definitions as there are cultures. Under the impact of
modernization today, however, people almost everywhere are witnessing the breakdown of the traditional
extended family into nuclear families. This is not to say that the traditional larger kin groupings have
vanished; and families’ function is changed and it’s a negative impact on family. Every culture has its own
family set-up. And modernization is also has an effect on family system and its traditions.