Explore the issues of community cohesion, community exclusion and Essay

Explore the issues of community cohesion, community exclusion and marginalisation with specfic reference of young people - Essay Example and Lowe, G, 1999, P. 9) Social change in sociological context involves the alteration of mechanism within the social structure and is characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organization or values. (Form, William, 2011) To explain social change in society, sociologists have borrowed various models of social change from other disciplines. Among the first model was the concept of evolution which was used initially to understand biological change and idea of social change. Other sociological model such as structural functionalism came later to shed more light on the issue of social change. This theory explains on the existence of certain basic institution such as kinship relations and division of labor which often determine social behavior in the community. This is owed to their nature of interrelatedness as change in one institution affects other institutions. According to an article entitled ‘social change’ by Form, the various theoretical schools emphasizes in different aspects of change. Marxist theorist for example, suggests that changes in models of production can lead to changes in modes of production can lead to changes in class systems. This can either incite new forms of change or class conflict. Other theorists inclined to conflict the model, emphasizes on conflict an element which is inevitable in every society, which brings about changes that promote social integration. Social change in society can emanate from various societies. The causes of social change affect every aspect of the society in the world. On macro scale, they shape all major institution including economics, politics, religion, family, education, science and technology, military and legal system. On the micro level of society, they shape society’s values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. (people.uncw.edu, 2011). Major social changes in community include; (a) Technological and economic changes such as agricultural advancement (b) Ind ustrialization- The process of moving from an agrarian based economy in which the primary products is food to an industrial or post industrial economy in which primary product is goods. Also the process of changing from a manual labour force to a technology driven lobour force in which machines play a great role. c) Modernization: The process of moving from an agrarian to industrial society. Characteristics of modern societies include,  larger role of government in society and bureaucracy to run government, Large, formal organizations and division of labor based on specialization of skills and abilities into occupation,  forming of social institutions to regulate behavior,  laws and sanctions to regulate behavior, Control over and management of environmental resources: oil, water, land, animals,  larger role of science in society to produce knowledge to advance society, larger role of education and universities, improved quality of life, ability to buy good and services, mor e recreational time, better public health, housing   and self-efficacy   d) Urbanization where large populations live in urban areas rather than rural areas. Usually results from economic opportunities, either people move to a city for jobs, or rural areas become the sites of large businesses which leads to population growth.