What is the meaning of "social change"? 

The term social change comprises two wards-social and change. It is imperative to understand their meaning. The social change denotes as difference in anything be it individual, group society or any material object over a period of time. The term social is difined in two different ways. One, in terms of society social structure and two in terms of culture. Some sociologist say that by social change is meant only such alterations, which occur in social organizations, that is, in structure and functions of society. The other group of sociologists define in terms of rise and fall of culture. Social change is a pait of culture change which include science, technology and values of social organization. 

In other words, social change is a term used to describe variation in any respect of social processes and social interactions. It can also be described as a mode that either modifies or replaces the "old in the life of a people and in the functioning of a society. Society exists in a universe of dynamic influences. For instance, change in material equipment and expansion of technology resulted in reshaping of ideologies and values. This, in turn, effects institutional structures as they take on new components thus altering their functioning. The impact of modern social forces is evident in the change of family structure . Joint family system has been a common pattern in India. The head of the family exercises absolute powers over its members and distributes work among them. It is now fast being replaced by the nuclear family wherein family ties and authority of the head are gradually weakening. 

This change is also illustrative of structure change. Such a chance, in turn, brings about change in the role of family members. This is indicative of functional change. However, as a result of competitive economy and spread of education in India we expected a total transition from the caste system to the class system. But it is found that caste is not being replaced completely by class. There is only a marginal change in the role of caste. For example, we find that occupation has become caste-free. There is freedom now to take up any occupation. This is no longer decided by one's position in the caste hierarchy. We find many upper-caste people taking up jobs that were earlier meant for the lower castes.