Social Control for Dummies

Social control is kind of like having rules and guidelines that help people behave, interact, and live together in a society. It's like a system, or an invisible force, that helps keep everything in order and maintain the balance in a community. Just like how we follow rules at school to keep things running smoothly, social control is similar, but it applies to the whole society instead of just a school.

Social control can involve many different things, like laws, customs, traditions, and even informal social norms. For example, when we see a "stop" sign on the road, we know that it's the rule to stop our vehicles. This is a form of social control as it helps keep everyone driving safely and prevents accidents. Similarly, when we have a class discussion, we follow certain norms, like not interrupting others when they are speaking, raising our hand to share our thoughts, and being respectful to one another. These rules help maintain an environment where everyone can participate and learn effectively. That's social control in action!

Social control is important because it helps create a sense of order and harmony in a society. Think of it like a glue that holds a community together. Without any social control, everyone might just do whatever they want, without considering the well-being of others. It would be chaos! Imagine a classroom where no rules exist, and everybody talks loudly, interrupts each other, and doesn't listen to the teacher. It would be nearly impossible to learn or have a productive class, right? That's why social control is necessary.

Now, there are two types of social control: formal and informal.

Formal social control is when there are specific laws and regulations in place that are enforced by fancy-sounding institutions like the government or the police. These laws can be written down, like traffic laws, or they can be understood and agreed upon by everyone, like laws against stealing. They are called formal because they are official, have consequences if broken, and are created by official bodies.

Informal social control is a bit different. It's like the unspoken rules and expectations that we all kind of understand and follow in our society. These can be cultural norms, customs, or unwritten guidelines that have developed over time. For example, we usually wear formal clothes to a wedding because it's commonly understood that it's a respectful thing to do. Or if we see someone struggling with their groceries, we may naturally help them because it's considered a kind thing to do. These forms of social control are more flexible and adaptable and often vary from one community to another.

So, to sum it all up, social control is like the set of rules and expectations that keep a society functioning smoothly. It can be formal or informal, and it helps maintain order and harmony. Just like how we follow rules in school, adhere to traffic laws, or have certain expectations in social situations, society as a whole relies on social control to create a balanced and cohesive community.