Describe the various functions which are essential for the survival of any society.

A brief description is given below of all these basic functions considered necessary for society :

(i) Recruitment of Members :

(a) Sexual reproduction is one of the basic methods of recruitment of the new members in all societies.

(b) The new members can also be recruited through immigration and annexation.

(c) The function of sexual reproduction is organized and regulated through family and marriage, the principal social organisation and institution in all societies.

(d) Since sex relations are a necessary condition of procreation, the principle of legitimacy is very significant. In most societies childern born outside marriage are not accepted as legitimate.

(c) However, the norms governing the behaviour of the members will depend on the culture of the society which shapes and modifies their life.

(f) There are certain norms which are generally found in all societies. For example, sexual relations between parents and children, between brother and sister are considered incest taboo which is found in all societies.

(ii) Socialization :

(a) This is second vital function essential for the continuity and survival of society.

(b) Socialization may be defined as the process of learning by which a biological man is transformed into a social animal. It is a process by which a human infant learns the norms, rules and skills of the society.

(c) To meet the demand of socialization there have to the some organizations, which will help the child to learn all the values and ethos around which the system is organized.

(d) Socialization is carried both formally and informally. The informal process of learning begins in the family as soon as the child is born.

(e) In the family, a child learns several things while interacting with parents and siblings.

(f) Informal socialization also takes place through peer groups as well as through neighbours.

(g) Formal process of socialization begins when a child goes to school. In school, interaction with teachers and other children with various socio-economic backgrounds assists the child to learn some basic values and norms of the society.

(h) Socialization is a continuous process and goes on even when an individual becomes adult and even when he becomes old.

(iii) Production and Distribution of Goods and Services :

(a) Third function, which is necessary for the continuity and survival of the society is to fulfil the economic requirements of its members.

(b) In economic needs, it is not only the production of goods and services but their distribution in an orderly and sufficient manner is also necessary. Since no individual can perform all the activities alone, division of labour and specialization become very significant.

(c) The economic organizations performing this duty may vary from society to society but every society produces goods and distributed them.

(d) All societies develop some norms and values for the allocation of goods and services.

(e) In modern developed societies goods might be more than needed but the main problem arises in distribution. Improper distribution can lead to confusion and chaos in the society.

(iv) Preservation of Order :

(a) All societies adopt a certain way by which the behaviour of individuals is patterned and regulated. This is essential to protect the society from destruction from within, this is done in formal and informal ways.

(b) Normals, folkways, mores and group-pressure are the informal ways not only to mould the behaviour but also to restrain and discipline the members.

(c) Conformity to norms is esssential as non-conformity and threaten the integration of the group.

(d) If members fail to abide by the rules, society will become disorganized.

(e) If primitive societies, people's behaviour was controlled by informal ways.

(f) But in modern societies, besides informal ways, formal ways are also used to control the behaviour. In modern societies, formal sanctions are necessary to maintain order such as law, courts etc.