INFORMAL MEANS OF SOCIAL CONTROL
( i ) Folkways
( ii ) Mores
( iii ) Customs
( iv ) Religion
It must be mentioned here that with the variety in our ways of living , the means of social control also vary . Social control is specific to the group or the society in which it is exercised : Informal mechanisms of control vary accordingly . Besides family , informal social control is also exercised by other social institutions , like neighbourhood , kin group , clan and village , etc.
1. FOLKWAYS : Folkways are norms to which individuals conform . It is customary to do so . Conformity to folkways is not enforced by law or any other agency of the society . It is the informal acceptance of established practices in each group or society . Folkways are manifested in matters of dress , food habits , observance of rituals , forms of worship and method of greeting , etc. For instance , the food habits in North and South India are different and these habits persist even when the person has moved to a different location away from his earlier surroundings .
2. MORES : Mores refer to moral conduct as distinct from the customary practice of folkways . They influence the value system of a society and are in the form of social regulations which aim to maintain social order . Mores seek to regulate the relationship between individuals in defined situations , e.g. between husband and wife , parents and children and siblings , etc. They may also refer to general social relationships in terms of honesty , truthfulness , hardwork and discipline , etc. Since mores are consciously designed and created with a view to preserve them . Violations of these often entail penalties . They are perhaps the strongest mechanisms of informal social control .
3. CUSTOMS : Customs are the long established practices of people , which occur spontaneously but gradually . Alongwith regulating social life , they also bind them together . In primitive societies , customs were powerful means of social control but in modern times , they have weakened due to rise in the forces of individualism and diversity .
4. RELIGION : Religion exercises a powerful influence on its adherents . Emile Durkheim defines religion as the unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things . Those who have common beliefs and practices are united into one single moral community through religion . Religion occupies a significant place in the life of an individual and fulfills the spiritual , social and psychological needs of an individual .
Religion helps in the process of social control in the following ways :
( a ) Every religion has the concept of sin and virtue . Since early childhood , individuals are exposed to these concepts and to the notions of good and bad . These become ingrained in the individual's personality and guide his decision making during his life .
( b ) Religious conventions and practices determine marriage , mutual relations among family members , property relations , rules of succession and inheritance , etc.
( c ) Religious leaders regulate the behaviour of individuals by exhorting them to follow a prescribed code of conduct .
( d ) By organising community activities , prayer meetings and by celebrating religious events and festivals , religious institutions too contribute to this process by bringing believers together and strengthening the common belief systems - thereby , regulating individual behaviour .
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