What is Social Institution? Social Institutions are the establishment in a society that makes the society function. They work as the backbone of society. With social institutions, a community can achieve fulfilment in the economy, academy, or relationships. When society has no rules and regulations, people are more likely to indulge in crime and other harmful activities. Social institutions help in taming such activities. They contribute to organizing society and its people. Different types of social institutions come with a set of rules and norms and ask the people to follow them. The violation of such regulations often results in condemnation and prosecution.

Five Basic Social Institutions

Politics as a Social Institution-

What is the definition of Political Institutions? Politics is an important social institution. It is the function of a society where all powers exist given to a particular group of people chosen by the citizens through poles. From the food, we eat to the kind of security we get when we go out of our houses, that group of people in power decides everything. So, voting for a party is a crucial decision for every citizen. Every society has politics today by the name of the government. The government makes rules, namely laws for the entire country, and asks the people to follow them. The breach of those laws results in imprisonment and penalties. There are different parties in the politics of a country. If the government complies with the country then the economy can be improved.

The people in power often get involved in corruption. Corruption is one of the most damaging factors in a society that prevents its growth. Politicians often give dishonest assurances to people and forget all about what they said after they come into power. If a country gets to be corruption-free then most issues can be resolved. It is the most anti-society factor and activity in a country.

The economy as a Social Institution-

The economy is a social institution that produces and distributes goods and services and monitors consumption. Goods and services are two of the primary things that the people of a country require. The two central economic systems are Capitalism and Socialism. The economy is an institution that keeps on changing. There are many economic trends like diversity in the workplace, globalization, self-employment, etc. The transaction of goods and services requires currencies as a medium. The introduction of coins today has made transactions much easier and more advanced. Before the currencies came into existence, the barter system was the only transaction medium; the barter system is where a person provides goods and services in return for other goods and services.

Education as a Social Institution-

Education is another vital social institution. Like the economy and government, education also cater to the opportunities for growth in a society. If a child is educated correctly, he gets exposure to worldly affairs and learns to judge situations better. He also passes his knowledge on and contributes to improving his society.

Family as a Social Institution-

 What do we mean by a Family? When we hear the word family, a house with a mother, father, brother, and sister comes into our mind, and it is the most general description of a family. But a family is the unity of two or more people through blood relation, marriage, or adoption. Family in a society works as social support for an individual. When a child is raised in a family with doting parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters, he or she gets to experience a positive upbringing which continues when he or she grows up.

There are three main functions of a family-

 1. To get an identity.

 2. To future rear generation.

 3. To promote a culture.

Marriage as a Social Institution-

Marriage is that social institution that was created to keep a healthy regulation of a person’s life. It is in close association with the institution of the family. The norms of marriage vary from culture to culture. Marriage is the process of uniting two different people from different families together through a ceremony. It serves the purpose of finding companionship.

Religion as a Social Institution-

Religion is an institution that studies, practices, and believes in the existence of God and the mystery of life and death. The world is diverse when it comes to religion. Different religions have different beliefs and practices. Religion in society is believed to be a dominant instrument to control society.

So, given above are the primary social institutions that contribute to the well-being and growth of a society. Without these institutions, a society cannot function. Although these institutions sometimes add to the negative development of culture as well, we as humans should use our judgment and understanding and function accordingly.