Social Rules

Social Rules

Social rules are the most human social activity that is organized and regulated by socially produced and reproduced systems of rules. Social rules are the set or pattern of behaviors expected to be followed by everyone as a member of society. They are used to examine all levels of human interaction. They are different from those that are enforced by law. If these rules are not followed properly, then the society and social life will have to face various disasters. So, social rules are the guidelines for each individual members of the society.

Human agents such as individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and other collectivities produce, carry, and reform these systems of social rules, and this frequently takes place in various ways. Social rules are not compulsory behaviors. They are rather optional. Even if the person does not follow social rules, the person is not liable to any punishment under the law. For example, a person is not supposed to sit in front of the elders by folding his/her legs. However no laws states of any punishment for not respecting the elders. Similarly, the couples are not allowed to stay together until they get married. Well, I just remembered the saying of my teacher to the college guys wearing earrings. He usually used to say "I also like to wear the earrings, but our society doesn't accept it. So, stop wearing earrings in the college or change the society." There are certain things that the society doesn't accept and we must follow the social rules of the society because we have to stay in this society. Social rules must be learned from the childhood. When the kids don’t follow social rules, others may think they’re self-centered or uncaring. Other kids may find their behavior annoying and back away because the society expects discipline, manner, modesty, cooperation and civility from its members.

Some of the social rules that must be learned are:

• Meet and greet politely.
• Pay attention to others.
• Take turns while talking.
• Think before you act.
• Cooperate with others.

Social rules are also important in normative and moral communications about social actions and interactions. Social rules also require that a person should help those members of the society who are weak, poor and incapable of helping themselves. The social rules also require that a person should not differentiate in terms of language, culture, caste and others. Becausea society consists of different people with different religious, linguistic, traditional, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and to respect such difference is also a part of the social rule.

The interpretation and implementation of social rules are universal in a human society, for the reformulation and transformation. Social rules also demand that the person should give highpreferenceto social interest than his/her personal interest like helping one another, cultivation of cooperation, friendliness, and participation in social functions.

Things to remember

• Social rules are the behaviors that are considered acceptable in a group or society.
• Social rules lead to a smooth social interaction that allows us to acquire friends and avoid conflicts.
• Social rules also demand that the person should give high preference to social interest than his/her personal interest.

• It includes every relationship which established among the people.
• There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
• It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
• common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.

Questions and Answers

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