Understanding Culture, Society,

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Every society has formed social institutions to meet all the basic needs. The need to provide
a sense of purpose, the need to socialize new members, the need to produce ng distribute
goods and services, and the need to maintain order and security are the five needs that are
established in all societies. Family, education, religion, economy, and government are the
institutions that are responsible in addressing all these needs.

Learning Objectives:
A. distinguish the different types of family structures and marriage;
B. differentiate the types of education as it affects the lives of the people; and
C. evaluate the functions of religion in a society and for an individual.

WHAT IS A SOCIAL INSTITUTION?

SOCIETY

Social institution refers to a group of people with established roles, functions, and norms who
are working together to fulfill specific social needs. Social institutions exist everywhere, but
may vary from time to time and across cultures. As was mentioned earlier, there are five
main social institutions responsible in addressing our needs – family, education, religion,
economy, and government. These institutions have manifest function and latent function.
Page 2 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

WHAT IS FAMILY?

The family is the basic social institution and the primary group in society. Families vary from
culture to culture. Murdock (1949) defines family as a social group characterized by
common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. It includes adults of both
sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved social relationship, and of one or
two children. Many sociologists criticize this definition as it is not inclusive of other elements
that are present in other households such as sexual orientation. Family is a social and
economic unit that consists of one or more parents and their children (Ferraro and
Andreatta, 2010). There are several points that you can learn from this definition:

1. A family is a socioeconomic unit – this implies that the family acts as the primary support
group for its members as they participate in the social processes within a society.

2. A family can have one or more parents – in the society that you grow up in, a family
usually consists of two parents- a father and a mother. However, this is not the norm for
other societies who would have one parent, a mother or a father, or multiple parents due
to multiple marriages.

3. A family can have parents who are not married – as long as individuals are socially and
economically interdependent, they can be considered as a family. This puts into
perspective the concept of common law marriage which is an informal union or at least
two individuals who present themselves as a couple.

4. A family can have parents with same gender – some societies allow for the marriage of
individuals with the same sex which create families with either birth female or both male
partners.

5. A family should at least have one child – one of the most crucial elements of a family is
the existence of children. Without a child, a couple remains to be a couple and not a
family.
Page 3 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

A. FORMS OF FAMILY

There are different ways of categorizing family – according to the number of people and
according to authority.

1. Based on the number of people

Families are categorized based on the number and generations of people involved.

It is comprised of a father, a mother, and their offspring/s. Usually, the father in the traditional
family plays the role of the breadwinner while the mother stays at home to manage the house
and the children. Contemporary lifestyles are changing this traditional set-up, with the reversal
of roles between the mother and the father. We now have families where the mother is the
breadwinner, while the father, also called as "househusband," manages the home. Another
variation of the traditional family is where both husband and wife are working and earning a
living for the family while entrusting their growing child or children to hired caregivers or
relatives. Adopted children are also considered as part of the nuclear or traditional family.

It comprises just the single parent rearing the child or children while earning for the offspring/s.
This single parent may be supported by relatives or hired caregivers to take care of the growing
children, which is now a common occurrence in many Asian countries such as Singapore and
Hong Kong. A Filipino single parent may be assisted financially by the parents or relatives.
Sometimes, the single parent will decide on cohabiting with a partner who is not the biological
parent of the child. The cohabiting partner may not necessarily reside with the single parent
and the child.

It is a very common family arrangement found in many parts of the world and most particularly
in Asia. The extended family is the nuclear family plus the parents of either the husband or the
wife, or both their parents, depending on the arrangements they make. Sometimes, a single
brother or sister of either one of the couples may also be part of the extended family. If there is
a need for household help, the first option is to seek out a poorer relative from the provinces to
serve the family's needs. In an extended family, there could exist some friction when it comes to
making decisions. Traditionally, the man of the house is the breadwinner and often makes most
of the decisions related to family affairs. However, with the presence of the couple's parents,
the decision-maker may vary at times.

It is just the couple without any child or children, and who may be living all by themselves. They
may or may not have household help assisting around the house.

Page 4 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

2. Based on Authority and Power Structure

Authority and decision making in the family varies from society to society and as earlier
mentioned authority structure is one of the parameters to categorize families. The following
kinds of families have been identified based on authority and power structure:

In this kind of family structure, decision making authority and power lies in the hands of the man
whether be it a nuclear family, single family or an extended family. Male headed households
are obtainable in most societies; and in absence of the man, the eldest son becomes the
leader of the household.

This is a female headed family. Matriarchal family is sometimes called “matrifocal‟ family
(Haralambos and Holborns 2008). Here authority is vested on the woman, resulting especially
where the man or husband of a woman has died, or when the men desert their wives.

This describes an arrangement in the family where power and decision-making authority are
equally distributed between the husband and wife.

B. MARRIAGE

An important institutional element of the family is marriage. The conventional definition of

marriage is that it is a union between a man and a woman such that children born to the
woman are recognized as legitimate offspring of both parents. However, Okodudu (2010)
assert that the idea of marriage has changed in recent times. In much of the Western
European countries, marriage has been conceptualized as a union between two consenting
adults irrespective of their sexes with or without approval from their parents of family; hence
same sex marriages are being contracted today without the possibility of having children,
except that it is a relationship between two consenting adults legally recognized.
Page 5 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

The Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order 209 s. July 6, 1987) defines marriage as a
special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in
accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.

There are different types of marriages observable in the society – monogamy and polygamy.

Monogamy

Polygamy

1. Monogamy

This is a form of marriage between one man and a woman. This implies that a man can have
only one wife at a time. Should any reason arise for the man to marry another wife, the first
marriage must be dissolved through divorce or death of a spouse. A man whose wife dies
could marry another one in what is called serial monogamy.

2. Polygamy

This is a form of marriage in which a person has more than one mate. Polygamy has two
sub-divisions:

a. Polygyny – has to do a man having more than one wife. Most traditional Nigerian
societies practice this kind of marriage or the Muslim societies.

b. Polyandry – which involves a woman having more than one husband. This practice was
dominant in parts of India and Tibet; Lele of central Africa.
Page 6 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

WHAT IS EDUCATION?

The school is one of the universal symbols for education. It is a place where learners of varied
ages, backgrounds and needs are brought together to learn. Education is a process of
acquiring and equipping people with knowledge and skills and values that will allow him or
her to actively participate in varied social tasks and activities. Education is also a systematic
process of transmitting knowledge and skills that are necessary in the performance of one’s
roles in the society. Education can be formal, informal and non-formal.

Basic education the Philippines is managed and

regulated by the Department of Education, commonly
referred to as the DepEd. DepEd controls the Philippine
basic education system, including the creation and
implementation of the curriculum and the utilization of
funds allotted by the central government. It also
manages the construction of schools, acquisition of
books, and other school materials, and the recruitment of teachers and staff. In 2011, the
country started to transition from its 10-year basic educational system to a K to 12
educational system. The new 12-year system is now compulsory, along with the adoption of
new curriculum for all schools (the K to 12 program). One of the striking changes in the new
educational system is the inclusion of Senior High School (SHS), referring to Grades 11 and 12,
the last two years of the K to 12 Basic Education Program. In SHS, students are required to go
through a core curriculum and subjects under a track of their choice – academic track, arts
and design track, technical-vocational livelihood track, and sports track.
Page 7 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

Formal Informal Nonformal

Education Education Education

1. Formal Education – An institutional activity; chronologically graded structure; uniform;

subject-oriented; full time; leads to certificates, diplomas, degrees. Formal education shall
correspond to the following levels in basic education:
a. Elementary Education – it is the first part of educational system, and includes
compulsory, formal education primarily concerned with providing basic education,
and usually corresponds to a tradition six or seven grades, and in addition, to
preschool programs. Such preschool education normally consists of kindergarten
schooling, but may cover other preparatory courses as well.
b. Secondary Education – it is concerned primarily with continuing basic education of the
elementary level and expanding it to include the learning of employable, gainful skills,
usually corresponding to four years of junior high school and two years of senior high
school.
c. Tertiary Education – most institutions of higher learning are
regulated by the Commission of Higher Education. Colleges
typically offer 1 or more specialized programs while universities
must offer at least 8 different undergraduate degree programs in
a wide array of subjects and at least 2 graduate programs. Public
universities are all non-sectarian and offer a wide-range of
programs, with English as a medium of instruction. Public
universities are government funded, with the largest, the University
of the Philippines, receiving a substantial amount from the annual budget. There are
also a number of private tertiary institutions, sectarian or non-sectarian as well as for-
profit or not-for-profit. Most private institutions are Catholic non-profit organizations.
Most universities offer 4-year degree programs with 2 semesters per year.
d. Vocational Education – accredited private institutions offer technical and vocational
education. Programs offered vary in duration from a few weeks to two years. On
completion, students may take centrally-administered examinations to obtain their
diploma or certificate. Vocational colleges don’t usually require an entrance
examination. Only a record of high school education and an enrolment fee are
required.

2. Informal Education – Life-long process; individual learns from daily experiences; individual
learns from exposure to the environment at home, at work, at play, etc.
3. Nonformal Education – Flexible; life, environment and learner-oriented; diversified in
content and method; built on learner participation; mobilizes local resources; enriches
human and environmental potential.
Page 8 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

RELIGION

Religion is defined by sociologist Emile Durkheim as a unified set of beliefs and practices
relative to sacred thing – things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which unite
into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them. In essence,
a religion has the following characteristics: it has a belief system and worldview, moral
guidelines, rituals and ceremonial acts, community of believers, and tangible objects used
for religious purposes. How did religion come to be? Here are some scholarly perspectives.

A. Animism

Derived from the Latin word anima meaning breath or soul and German animismus. The
belief of animism is probably one of man’s oldest beliefs, with its origin most likely dating to
the Paleolithic age.

Page 9 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

From its earliest beginnings it was a religious belief that a soul or spirit existed in every object,
even if it was inanimate. In a future state this soul or spirit would exist as part of an immaterial
soul. The spirit, therefore, was thought to be universal. The animist is someone who believe or
pertain to the doctrine of animism.

There have been sharp divisions of thought as to the

original concept of animism held by primitive peoples. A
British anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Tylor in his
“Primitive Culture” (1871) defined it “as a general belief in
spiritual beings and considered it ‘a minimum definition of
religion.'” He stated all religions from the simplest to the
most complex shared some sort of animistic belief.

According to him primitive peoples, defined as those

without a written tradition, believed the spirits or souls
caused life in human beings. They pictured these souls as
vapors or shadows going from one body to another.

The souls not only passed between human beings but into,
plants, animals and inanimate objects as well. Take a look
at some of the real life:

It is insignificant how men and women

gained the belief that a spirit or soul Female tree spirits
resides in all objects. It is historically live on in myth and
evident that they did. Trees and plants folklore as dryads. It
were worshiped as totems or because was the Greek
of their usefulness and beauty. version of the tree-
worshiping druid
priestesses.”
In many cultures certain trees and
plants have been feared. In some Plants and trees
ancient cultures “trees were have been
generally regarded as maternal considered sacred
deities or forest spirits. To be by themselves
respected even when their lives because, as some
were sacrificed for human use have thought, they
(pagan woodcutters never felled a are home to certain
tree without first begging its spirits.
forgiveness).

B. Theism

The term theism, first introduced by Ralph Cudworth (1617-1688), derives from the Greek
word theos meaning “god”. It refers to any belief system that incorporates the existence of a
deity. A deity is a supernatural being thought of as holy, divine or sacred. Though they take a
variety of forms, deities are often expressed as taking human form. They are usually immortal,
and are commonly assumed to have personalities, consciousness and intellects comparable
(albeit superior) to those of humans.

Page 10 of 11
Understanding Culture, Society,
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
and Politics
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 8 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

Typically, deities do not reveal themselves directly to humans, but make themselves known
through their effects in the world. They are thought to dwell mainly in otherworldly or holy
places like Heaven, Hell, the sky, the under-world, or in a supernatural plane or celestial
sphere. There are different kinds of theism:
1. Monotheism – when only one deity is recognized. Typically, monotheistic traditions
conceive of God as omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and active in governance and
organization of the world and the universe. The most prominent modern-day monotheistic
religions include Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
2. Deism – it is the belief that at least one deity exists and created the world, but that the
creator(s), though transcendent and supreme, does/do not alter the original plan for the
universe. Deism typically rejects supernatural events (prophecies, miracles and divine
revelations) prominent in organized religion. Instead, deism holds that religious beliefs
must be founded on human reason and observed features of the natural world, and that
these sources reveal the existence of a supreme being as creator.
3. Polytheism – faith traditions involving more than one deity. It has two types:
a. Hard Polytheism – recognizes multiple gods as being distinct and separate beings.
Examples include the Egyptian and Greek religions, as well as certain schools of
Hinduism.
b. Soft Polytheism – views multiple gods as being connected under the umbrella of a
greater whole. Some forms of Hinduism like Smartism/Advaita Vedanta are considered
soft polytheistic traditions.

REFERENCES:

• Alejandria-Gonzalez, M.C. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Makati

City, Philippines: Diwa Learning Systems, Inc.
• Balena et al. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics: Educational Resources
Corporation.
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