Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

Module 1
Sub-lesson 1: Shaping my Identity
Lesson 1: Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics through the
Different Lenses Of Social Sciences Do we create our own identities?

In his book Politics, Aristotle posited that man is by  Our identities are said to be socially-
nature a social animal and cannot be alone. constructed.
According to him, human beings inherently seek
interactions, which eventually leads to the formation  According to the social-constructionist view,
of a society. However, it is a fact that society has one’s identity is formed through our
also preceded the existence of man, and that the interaction with others and in relation to
latter’s survival depends primarily on the social social, cultural, and political contexts. In
relationships embedded in society’s structures. It is other words, our identities are influenced by
this mutual dependence that allows both man and our society (Rice, 2021).
society to continue to exist.
 Biodata, resume, and curriculum vitae tell
The nature of a society can be seen in different much about our personal information. It
components: (1) actions and interactions of human contains our given name (sense of identity),
beings (social), (2) practices and traditions surname (lineage), gender/sex (roles we
cultivated and maintained (cultural), and (3) power conform to), the names of our parents and
relations at play among actors (political) (Contreras, their jobs (social interaction and
et.al.). Observing and analyzing society’s nature socioecnomic status), educational
through these three components would enable us attainment (social status and mobility),
to better understand not only society, but more religion (religious practices), ethnicity
importantly, ourselves. (language and culture), and political beliefs
(exercise of power and inclinations).
Key Concepts
How does society influence individuals
(identities)?
 Agency - the power of an individual to
change society or form a new one.
 Social groups and norms - the social
groups that an individual belongs to also
 Beliefs - specific ideas that society holds to
affect one’s creation and maintenance of
be true.
identity as social groups and their members
practice specific norms (family,
 Identity - the set of perceived qualities that ethnolinguistic group, churches, schools,
make an individual unique from the rest. fraternal relationships, organizations).
 Norms - rules and expectations by which a  Cultural and sociopolitical
society guides the behavior of its members. changes/phenomena - events that
happened in history have been continuously
 Power - the ability to influence others. shaping the society and subsequently, the
individuals in it.
 Symbols - anything that carries a particular
meaning recognized by people who share a  History - The Philippines’ colonial past
culture. molded and changed the Filipino culture,
mixing together Spanish, American, and
 Values - culturally defined standards that indigenous cultures.
people use to decide what is desirable,
good, and beautiful.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

 National political events people’s way of life. Culture includes what we think,
how we act, and what we own. (Macionis, 2016)
 Example 1: Filipino-American ties
kept politically and culturally strong Elements of Culture (Macionis, 2016):
since the start of the American
colonization through US Military 1. Symbols - anything that carries a particular
bases in the Philippines meaning recognized by people who share a
culture. e.g. the national flag represents our
o the intermarriage of Filipino sovereign nationhood, the red cross is a
and Americans recognized symbol of medical services, the
o trade laws which swamp Star and Crescent represents Islam.
Filipino markets with
American goods 2. Language - system of symbols that allows
o Filipinos’ undying love for people to communicate with one another
“imported goods” and Duty- e.g.. Arabic, Bisaya, Filipino Sign Language
Free (FSL).

 Example 2: ABS-CBNs shutdown 3. Values - culturally defined standards that

after the denial of franchise people use to decide what is desirable,
good, and beautiful and that serve as broad
o the passing of the Anti-Terror guidelines for social living. e.g. concept of
Law damay, family-centered life. and beliefs
o Martial Law and People (specific ideas that people hold to be true)
Power e.g. concept of Dios or Maykapal, folk
beliefs, creation myths.
 Local events
4. Norms - rules and expectations by which a
 Example 1: Lumads evacuating from society guides the behavior of its members
their communities because of
militarization and armed conflict. 5. Mores - norms that are widely observed
and have great moral significance e.g.
 Example 2: New policies enacted by gender roles or the concept of pagkalalake
school administrators changing and pagkababae, reverence for the dead.
students’ level and practice of
freedom—stricter regulations on 6. Folkways - norms for routine or casual
uniforms, the creation of more interaction e.g. paggalang, pagmamano.
student-led clubs and organizations,
and the practice of academic How can individuals influence society?
freedom.
o Exercise of Power - the individual’s
 Example 3: Barangay and SK ability to exercise power (the ability to
officials involving the locals in policy- make others do what you would have
making through consultations, or them do) manifests in their identity and
electoral frauds and violence during vice versa.
local elections.
o Agent of Change - As much as the
society influences the creation of
Sub-lesson 2: Observing, Interacting With, individual identities and individuals are
and Changing Society members of societies who continue and
sustain its existence, the individual is
Culture - the ways of thinking, the ways of acting, recognized as an agent of social change
and the material objects that together form a who has the power (agency) to shape
the society or even form a new one.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

and the general rules

Lesson 2: How Social Science Equip human under which
Us in Understanding People and world as they live.
such. (Andrew
Society Better (Lanuza Heywood)
and
Key Concepts Raymundo)
Lessons we Suspending Empathy Understanding
can learn or judgement through the exercise
 Anthropology - study of the human species, its adopt from through sociological and
immediate ancestors, and their cultures. the cultural imagination manifestations
definition relativism of power
 Moral Compass - signifies someone’s set of
values and beliefs that guide them to what they
Moral compass - signifies someone’s set of values
believe as right or wrong in life.
and beliefs that guide them to what they believe as
right or wrong in life. These beliefs dictate their
 Political Science - study of governments and actions, which directly influence others/society.
politics.
Our moral compass is heavily influenced by our
 Praxis - an act of doing something or practice cultural, social, and political backgrounds. Coupled
in relation to theory. with individual agency, these backgrounds do not
serve as limits, but as initial grounds and definitely
 Social Sciences - the study of society, culture not the final ones in acting (praxis) as active agents
and politics based on social and political of change.
philosophy.
What are the different kinds of changes?
 Sociology - the study of human interactions,
social groups and institutions, whole societies,
and the human world. “The only constant thing in the world is
change.”
Sub-lesson 1: Broadening My Perspectives
According to Panopio (2007), changes in culture
bring in society and human beings; likewise,
How can individuals broaden their changes in society and human beings bring change
perspectives? in culture and politics. This phenomenon is called
social dynamics.
Social Sciences - the study of society, culture and
politics based on social and political philosophy  Social Change - the alteration in the
(Scott 2006, p.9; Retrieved from Lanuza and structure or organization in the society, may
Raymundo), offer multitudes of disciplines with it be in status, class, etc. (Encyclopedia
different perspectives about people and society -- Brittanica)
three key disciplines for UCSP: Anthropology,
Sociology, and Political Science.  Example: Rise of the ilustrados as the
educated Filipino elite.
Anthropology Sociology Political
Science
Substantive study of the deals with study of o Cultural Change - the modification
definition human the governments of a society through innovation,
species, its scientific and politics, invention, discovery or contact with
immediate study of wherein the
other societies (Merriam Webster). It
ancestors, and human latter is
their cultures interactions, defined as the is often caused by the physical
(Conrad social activity environment, population, war and
Kottak) groups and through which conquest, random events, and
institutions, people make, technology.
whole amend and
societies, preserve the
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

 Example: The kind of lifestyle adopted in communication among people.

the “new normal” brought by the Covid-
19 pandemic.  Norms - expected behavior and established
rules in society.
o Political Change - the change in the
governmental and political system of  Mores - significant norms being practiced
a state through transition of among cultures.
leadership, clash of ideologies, etc.
 Taboo - strongly forbidden practices.
 Example: The transition from dictatorial
to a democratic government through the  Ethnocentrism - thinking that one’s own
People Power Revolution in 1986. culture is superior compared to others.

 Cultural Relativism - acknowledging

similarities between one’s culture and
others, and accepting their validity.

 Multiculturalism - acknowledging different

cultures and respecting them equally.

| Sub-lesson 1: Basics of Culture

What is culture?

 Substantive definition of culture - “Culture

is that complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, arts, morals, law, custom,
and any other capabilities and habits
Module 2 acquired by man as a member of society”
(Tylor, 1958).
Society and culture are intertwined with one
another. Society is generally defined as a group  “Culture is the ways of thinking, the ways of
of people sharing a common culture. Culture acting, and the material objects that together
binds people together through various things form a people’s way of life. Culture includes
such as the language, religion, traditions and what we think, how we act, and what we
customs they share. And with these, a society own” (Macionis, 2017).
forms its own identity that will be unique and
different from other societies around the world.
Types of Culture
Lesson 1: defining Culture & Society
 Material culture - physical things
created by the members of the
Key Concepts
society (Macionis, 2017).
 Culture - way of life, may be manifested  Nonmaterial culture - ideas and other
through materials, beliefs or practices. non-physical things created by the
members of the society (Macionis,
 Symbols - something with meaning that is 2017).
understood by people within the same
culture.

 Language - system of symbols that enables

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

What are the components of culture? What are the different kinds of culture?

 Symbol - anything that carries a particular

meaning recognized by people who share a  Dominant Culture/Mainstream Culture
culture. refers to the established language, religion,
values, rituals, and social customs which
o Culture Shock - inability to “read” are often the norm for society as a whole.
the meaning of symbols in strange (ex: Catholic Filipino speakers).
surroundings.
 Subculture refers to a smaller group of
 Language is a system of symbols that people who share their own norms,
allows people to communicate with one customs, values, etc. within the dominant
another. culture of the society. (ex: Residents from
different provinces/regions; Jejemon and
 Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis - holds that Hypebeast cultures).
people see and understand the world
through the cultural lens of language.  Counterculture refers to a subculture
whose values and norms of behavior differ
 Values and Beliefs substantially from those of mainstream
society. It is often in opposition to
o Values - culturally defined standards mainstream cultural norms. (ex: protests
that people use to decide what is and rallies advocating for LGBTQ+ rights;
desirable, good, and beautiful and “Woke” millennials).
that serve as broad guidelines for
social living.  “High'' Culture refers to cultural patterns or
behaviours that distinguish a society’s elite.
o Beliefs - specific thoughts or ideas (ex: Watching the opera; eating at high-end
that people hold to be true (as restaurants; buying designer’s fashion).
supported by the values a person
holds).  Popular Culture refers to cultural patterns
that are widespread among society’s
 Norms are rules and expectations by which population. (ex: Watching local TV shows;
a society guides the behavior of its eating at fast food restaurants and
members. carinderias; buying from ukay-ukay)
o Mores are norms that are widely .
observed and have great moral
significance. (ex: Wedding as a How do people view their culture?
religious sacrament that is highly
regarded by Filipinos)
 Ethnocentrism is a view that a particular
o Taboo is a strict prohibition of group is the center of everything. It is also
behavior that is strongly held by a the practice of judging another culture by
society. (ex: Filipinos are prohibited the standards of one’s own culture. (ex:
to take home food from the wake of Superiority of Tagalogs over other
a dead person) ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines).

o Folkways - norms for routine or  Multiculturalism recognizes cultural

casual interaction. (ex: Pagmamano diversity in a group of people and promotes
po) equality of cultural traditions. (ex:
Recognition of Muslims and IPs in national
laws).
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

 Cultural Relativism holds that a person’s Sub-lesson 2: Characteristics of Filipino

beliefs, values and practices should be Culture
understood based on that person’s own
culture rather than be judged against the
criteria of another. (ex: Respect for the
Ramadan practices of Filipino Muslims). What are the characteristics of culture?

How do cultures change?

1. Culture is social: Culture is seen as the
product of social interaction and behavior. It
does not exist in isolation - no man can
 Invention - process of creating new cultural acquire culture without the association of
elements. (ex: creation of new musical others.
instruments or modes of transportation)
2. Culture varies from one society to
 Innovation - improving on something that
already exists. (ex: development of another: The culture of a society is unique
smartphones into newer and better to itself. It is not uniform. The culture of a
versions) group varies from time to time as well.
 Discovery - recognizing and gaining a
better understanding of something already 3. Culture is shared: Culture is not something
in existence. (ex: discovery of new species that an individual alone can possess, it is
of plants and animals) shared with their co-members of society.
Cultures and societies change through a process
4. Culture is learned: Culture is often called
called sociocultural change.
“learned ways of behavior”.

5. Culture is transmitted among members

What is sociocultural change?
of society: Cultural ways are learned by
persons from persons. Older generations
handed down cultural behaviors; younger
 Gerhard Lenski - argued that a society’s generations also handed up behaviors to
level of technology is crucial in determining the elders. (Language, for example, is a
what cultural ideas and artifacts emerge or
vehicle of culture).
are even possible (Nolan & Lenski, 2010;
retrieved from Macionis, 2017).
 Lenski also pointed to the importance of 6. Culture is cumulative and continuous:
sociocultural evolution: the historical Culture is the “social heritage” of man.
changes in culture brought about by new Culture is responsive (dynamic) to the
technology, which unfolds in terms of four changing conditions of the physical
major levels of development: hunting and environment.
gathering, horticulture and pastoralism,
agriculture, and industry (Macionis, 2017). 7. Culture is gratifying and idealistic:
Culture provides proper opportunities for the
satisfaction of our needs and desires. It is
the sum total of the ideal patterns of
behavior for a group.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

What are some aspects of Filipino culture? be partly explained by the abundance with
which Nature has endowed our country.

Behavior and traits are among the many things that  Lack of Initiative - this trait is explained by
constitute the culture of a society. Filipino Historian the natural fear of competition, for Filipino
Teodoro Agoncillo, in his book “The History of the society is cooperative, not competitive.
Filipino People”, outlined the common traits that are
prevalent among Filipinos:  Curious - The Filipino (being childlike) is
naturally curious but tainted with sympathy.

 Hospitality - Filipinos are welcoming to

others (even strangers) and will definitely  Regionalistic - Filipinos think not in terms
offer people comfort when they arrive at a of national boundaries but in regional
Filipino house. oneness (ie: Bicol Region, Tagalog Region,
Visayan Region, etc)
 Close Family Ties - Filipinos value their
family (mother, father, grandparents,  Pakikisama - may be translated loosely as
children) more than anyone and anything the intensive signification of camaraderie or
else. spirit of comradeship, the main elements of
which are unselfishness and good faith.
 Respect for Elders - Filipinos recognize
their eldery as figures of authority. It is
unthinkable for a Filipino to do an important Is the Filipino culture changing?
thing without consulting his parents, or
grandparents, even.
Filipino values and customs that were maintained
 Fatalistic - Filipinos often believe that have changed or are changing through the
whatever happens to them is the work of sociocultural and political evolution of the Filipino
Fate. This fatalism is best symbolized in the culture.
phrase “Bahala na”.

 Loyalty - do a Filipino a little favor and they  Utang-na-loob and interdependency

remember you to the end of their days, for (barangay system: the relationship of the
to the Filipino, friendship is sacred and datu and tau).
should be mutual under all circumstances.
 Hospitality to friends (sanduguan) to
 Sensitive - Filipinos would not tolerate being colonies under Spain and US (fighting
anyone berating their fellow countrymen. for sovereignty and issues of collaboration).
They are easily piqued when a foreigner, for
instance, makes a sweeping generalization  Muslim resistance against oppressors
that is not flattering to Filipinos. and colonizers (protection of motherland,
identity, and religious freedom) and the
 Tendency to be Indolent - indolent means difference of historical experiences between
laziness. Dr. Jose Rizal explained this Christian and Muslim Filipinos.
tendency as the result of the tropical
climate, which makes even the Western  Filipino resilience amidst social issues
indolent in these parts of Paradise. But and political changes and amplified
aside from the warm climate, indolence may desire for freedom (Japanese occupation,
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

Martial Law, social movements against ● Conformity - complying with or following

corrupt and fascist administrations). rules in society.

 Diversity of Filipino culture - result of ● Deviance - going against cultural norms.

hundred years of colonization, indigenizing
● Strain Theory - deviant people are a
of cultures, cultural diffusion due to
product of pressures to fit in society,
globalization, indigenous cultures
and attempts to fit in are met by
functioning as forerunners of the Filipino obstacles in the environment.
identity. Examples are jejemon culture,
hypebeast culture, pa-woke culture, burgis
culture, and masa culture.
| Sub-lesson 1: Approaches to the Study
of Society (Sociological Frameworks)
Lesson 2: Becoming a Member of
Society What is the meaning of society?

Key Concepts o Substantive definition of society - Society

refers to people who live in a defined territory
and share a way of life or culture (Macionis,
● Society - groups of people within the 2017).
same location, who have the same
cultural identity. o Structural-Functional Approach (Macro-level)

● Status - position in society assigned to  Society as a complex system whose

people. parts work together to promote solidarity
and stability (Macionis, 2017).
● Role - expected performance or behavior
based on one’s status.  Explores how social structures work
together to help society operate
● Networks - social connections.
(Macionis, 2017).
● Social Control - regulation of certain
behavior by society.  Theorists: Auguste Comte, Emile
Durkheim, Herbert Spencer
● Socialization - process of shaping
identity through lived experience.  Key concepts:

● Social Groups - more than two people a) Social structure - relatively stable
interacting with one another. patterns of social behavior that are
meant to meet social functions.
● Acculturation - exchange of cultures
among groups, through which groups b) Social function - consequences of
remain distinct.
any social pattern for the operation
● Assimilation - absorbing a cultural of society.
minority into a dominant culture.
i. Manifest function - intended or
● Enculturation - gaining elements of a obvious consequences (ex.
culture through observation. School - students to get passing
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

grades in order to graduate and  Theorists: Max Weber, George Mead,

obtain a diploma). Erving Goffman

ii. Latent function - unintended or | Sub-lesson 2: Social Structure and Social

unrecognized consequences (ex. Functions
School - to join clubs,
organizations and other
extracurricular activities, which What are the components of society?
are not really required).

o Social Conflict Approach (Macro-level) o Status - the social position that a person holds.
(i.e.: doctor, professor, president, son, mother,
 Society as an arena of inequality etc). Generally refers to prestige (Macionis,
between different classes based on their 2017).
relationship to the means of production
(Macionis, 2017).
 Status Set: all statuses a person holds
 Society is composed of different social at a given time. (i.e. a student of a
groups that struggle over scarce particular school, a son/daughter to
resources (money, land, food status, one's parents, a friend to a fellow friend,
opportunities), thus creating conflict and etc).
causing changes (Macionis, 2017).
 Ascribed Status: a social position that
 Theorists: Karl Marx, W. E. B. Dubois, a person receives at birth or takes on
Harriet Martineau involuntarily later in life. (i.e.: a prince,
later crowned king; an heir to a massive
 Types of conflict analysis: wealth or fortune).
a) Class conflict theory- studies
 Achieved Status: a social position that
conflict among different social
classes. a person takes on voluntarily that
reflects a personal ability and effort. (i.e.:
b) Gender conflict theory - a student earning their bachelor’s
studies conflict between degree; an employee being promoted
genders, usually men and into a higher position).
women.
 Master Status: a status has special
c) Race-conflict theory - importance for social identity, often
studies conflict between shaping a person’s entire life. (i.e.: Jose
racial and ethnic groups. Rizal was a doctor, novelist, polyglot,
propagandist, etc. but he is most well
o Symbolic Interactionism Approach (Micro-
known by many as a national hero and a
level)
martyr who died for his country).
 Society as the product of the everyday
o Role - the behavior expected of someone who
social interactions of individuals
(Macionis, 2017). holds a particular status. (i.e.: student studying
to achieve passing or higher grades; a person
 Studies how people, in everyday being a caring son to his parents) (Macionis,
interactions, construct reality (Macionis, 2017).
2017).
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

 Role Set: a number of roles attached to

a single status (a student’s roles include d) Out-group: a social group toward which
fulfilling requirements for their subjects, a person feels a sense of competition or
joining extracurricular activities, opposition.
following the rules and regulations of the
school, among others).
o Networks: a web of weak social ties. It includes
 Role Conflict: conflict among roles people we know of—or who know us—but with
corresponding to two or more statuses. whom we interact rarely, if at all.

 Role Strain: tension among the roles  Though ties are weak, it can be a powerful
connected to a single status. resource.

 Role Exit: disengage from social roles  Social Capital refers to the networks of
(ie: ex-lawyer, ex-convict, former relationships between people or groups who
president, former CEO, former live and work in a particular society, enabling
employee, etc.). that society to function effectively. Social capital
is measured through the value of resources
o Social Group - two or more people who identify (both tangible and intangible) that an individual
and interact with one another. Groups contain or group has, which is impacted by their
people with shared experiences, loyalties, and networks.
interests. Members of social groups think of
themselves as a special “we” (Macionis, 2017).
| Sub-lesson 3: Socialization
 Not every collection of individuals forms a
group. People with a status in common are
not a group but a Category.
How do we become members of society?
 Crowd - a loosely formed collection of
people. The right circumstances can quickly
turn a crowd into a group. (i.e.: the People o Socialization refers to the lifelong social
Power Revolutions) experience by which people develop their
human potential and learn culture. (Macionis
 Types of Social Groups: 2017).

a) Primary Group: small social group o Our concept of self is a product of socialization.
whose members share a personal and According to George Herbert Mead, one of the
lasting relationship. Has primary main proponents of symbolic interactionism,
importance (personal orientation) (i.e.: “The self is something which has development;
family, barkadas). it is not there, at birth, but arises in the process
of social experience and activity, that is,
b) Secondary Group: large and develops in the given individual as a result of
impersonal social group whose his or her relations to that process as a whole
members pursue a specific goal or and to other individuals within that process.”
activity (goal orientation) (i.e.: (Retrieved from Lanuza & Raymundo, p.154).
classmates, officemates)
o Processes of Socialization
c) In-group: a social group toward which a
member feels respect and loyalty.  Enculturation - process by which
individuals learn their group’s culture
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

through experience, observation and desired position. (i.e.: copying the styles
instruction. and slang of a group to get accepted into
the group or win the approval of the group).
 Acculturation - process of exchange of
values and customs from one group to
another by individuals. The groups o Mass Media - a means to deliver impersonal
remain distinct even though the two communication to a vast audience. Mass media
groups exchange cultural features. has an enormous effect on individual’s attitudes
and behavior. It introduces people to ideas and
 Assimilation - process of cultural images that reflect the larger society and the
absorption of a minority group into the entire world.
main cultural body, eventually leading to
the disappearance of the culture of the o Others (officemates/colleagues, clubs,
minority group. This can be done organizations, religious groups, advocacy
through individuals or larger groups. groups, etc).

What are the agents of socialization?

How do we socialize as members of society?

o Family - considered as the first and most

influential agent of socialization. Through family, o Conformity refers to obedience of norms,
children learn the type of environment that which makes a person acceptable to a
adults create. Family gives/designates their particular society, group, or setting. It is the
children the social position (race, religion, acceptance of cultural goals and the
ethnicity, social class, etc) as part of their self legitimate/approved ways and means of
concept. achieving them.

o School - provides formal education, both in o Deviance refers to the recognized violation of
knowledge and skills. School enlarges cultural norms (i.e.: crime - violation of a
children’s social world, as it includes other society’s formally enacted criminal law).
people from different backgrounds. The school
is where children first experience bureaucracy  It is socially-constructed, as “what is a
(i.e.: strict time schedule, proper wearing of deviant choice or action?” is determined by
uniforms, proper haircut and hairdo, etc.). the members of the society.

o Peer/Friend - is a social group whose members o Social Control - attempts by society to regulate
have interests, social positions, and ages in people’s thoughts and behaviors. Deviance is
common. A peer/friend allows children to checked through social control to ensure that
escape the direct supervision of adults (i.e.: norms and conventions are safeguarded and
parents, guardians, teachers, etc). A peer/friend preserved.
then offers opportunities to discuss interests
that adults may not share or permit. Peers may  Types of Social Control (accdg. To
guide short-term choices of a person but, in Karl Mannheim retrieved from Diala-
most cases, parents still shape the children’s Jimenez, 2017)
long term goals (i.e.: college plans).
a) Direct - regulates and controls the
 Anticipatory Socialization - the process of behavior of the individual directly,
learning that helps a person achieve a which includes the family,
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

neighbourhood, play-groups, and Why do members of society become deviant?

other types of primary social group.

b) Indirect- regulates and controls the o Strain Theory

behavior of the individual indirectly
by secondary groups through  Advanced by sociologist Robert Merton.
customs, traditions, rationalized
behavior, and public opinion.  States that deviant behavior occurs when
people experience strain or tension when
 Mechanisms of Social Control culture imposes goals that individuals
should achieve, but the social environment
a) Labelling theory - states how makes it hard or challenging for individuals
members of society label others, to meet such goals through a legitimate
whether they are deviant or not manner.
(Newman, 2012). After a group of
people has labelled an individual as  Richard Cloward & Lloyd Ohlin expanded
a deviant, members of a community the study by pointing out that the criminal
or society often treat the individual type of deviance can result not only from the
negatively and with feelings of hate, lack of culturally approved means to
mistrust, or fear. (Cohen, 1996 in achieve success but also from the
Newman, 2012). availability of unconventional means to do
so.
b) Gossip - often practiced in small-
scale communities where people  Members of society react to strains in 5
know each other personally. By different ways:
gossiping or talking behind
someone’s back and spreading a) Conformity - individuals still accept
rumors about them, society cultural goals and try to achieve them
reinforces what norms should be through culturally approved methods.
followed and punishes the deviants
by shaming them. b) Innovation - individuals still accept
cultural goals but go about in achieving
c) Laws - formal codes of conduct that it in a culturally disapproved way.
are met with negative sanctions (i.e.
punishments) when violated
(Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and
c) Ritualism - individuals still live in society
Mcbride, 2008). Only those who
and follow its culturally approved ways,
exercise authority are recognized by
but they no longer try to achieve goals.
the members of society to practice
coercion in the exercise of sanctions
d) Retreat - Individuals no longer desire to
(Ibid.). Laws do not always
achieve cultural goals and have
constitute what is right/moral. In
abandoned the culturally approved ways
other words, legality does not equate
of achieving those goals.
to morality.
e) Rebellion - individuals challenge the
existing culturally accepted goals by
coming up with new ones and also
challenge the prescribed means in
achieving cultural goals.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

Module 3 cooperative groups to care for one another,

including children (Macionis, 2017).
Lesson 1: The role of the Family in an
 There is no absolute definition of family
Individual’s Life since its meaning varies depending on the
specific context or reality in which it exists.

Key Concepts o Burgess and Locke - Family is a group

of persons united by ties of marriage,
blood, or adoption, constituting a single
household interacting with each other in
 Family - composed of individuals caring for
their respective social roles of husband
each other, but the term has no fixed
and wife, mother and father, brother and
definition.
sister, creating a common culture
(Burgess and Locke, 1976).
 Filial piety - loyalty to family or to kin.
o Belen T. Medina - While the family was
 Social institution - patterns or practices traditionally seen as how Burgess and
accepted as norms by society. Locke defined it, the meaning of family
can change depending on the current
 Marriage - pertains to a social institution context or how the family and its
characterized by the legal union of two members behave in the present. The
individuals. family can be one where there is only
one parent and the children or one with
 Socialization - refers to the process a married couple but without children. A
wherein an individual learns societal norms family can be a child-headed family
from their immediate surroundings. where older siblings take care of
younger ones, one with same-sex
 Anticipatory socialization - social process parents, or one where grandparents act
wherein one acquires the behavior or beliefs as primary caregivers instead of the
of the social group they belong to or a group parents, who are living abroad but
they plan on joining. support the children financially (Torres,
2015).
 “Utang na loob” - Filipino value wherein
one retains gratitude towards another
person or party that has granted them
favors in the past. Types of Family:

| Sub-lesson 1: Defining Family  Nuclear family - a family composed of one

or two parents and their children; also
known as a conjugal family (Macionis,
What is the meaning of family? 2017).

 Extended family - a family composed of

 Substantive Definition of Family - Family parents and children as well as other kin;
is a social institution found in most, if not all, also known as a consanguine family
societies that unites the people in (Macionis, 2017).
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

Common components of the definition of family

(Macionis, 2017):
What is the meaning of family for the Philippine
state?

 Biological component - descent, marriage,

and kinship, presence of parent and
 According to the 1987 Philippine
offspring;
Constitution, the State recognizes the
Filipino family as the foundation of the
 Functional component - nurturing,
nation and that it strengthens the nation’s
economic support, and socialization; and
solidarity and actively promotes its total
development.
 Residential component - living under one
household or common residence
 Therefore, the State shall defend:
(household).
o The right of spouses to found a family in
accordance with their religious convictions
What is the meaning of family to the self? and the demands of responsible parenthood
(religious and cultural);

 Since the family is the first setting of an o The right of children to assistance, including
individual’s socialization process, the family proper care and nutrition, and special
influences the individual’s sense of self protection from all forms of neglect, abuse,
immensely. cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions
prejudicial to their development (welfare and
economic support);
What is the meaning of family to Filipinos?
o The right of the family to a family living
wage and income (livelihood and social
security); and
 Filipinos are often described as family-
oriented (Lanuza and Raymundo, 2016).
o The right of families or family associations
to participate in the planning and
 Families teach or socialize children’s implementation of policies and programs
practice of Filipino values such as filial piety that affect them (political).
(respect, obedience, caring for one’s
parents and elderly members) and utang-
 The State also puts the responsibility to take
na-loob (“debt of gratitude” commonly
care of the elderly on the family, but it also
associated with the kind of care and support
implements social security programs that
that individuals—particularly children—give
protect the interests of its elderly population.
to their parents or guardians as an
obligation for effort in raising them).
 Marriage - is a socio-sexual institution which is
part of the institutional complex of the family. It
 The Filipino individual’s family-centeredness
is an arrangement of procreation, nurturing and
provides a basic sense of belongingness,
defining the legitimate descent of an offspring or
stability, and security. Most Filipinos draw
child. The institution of marriage represents all
their sense of self-identity from their families
the behaviors, norms, roles, expectations, and
as well (Lanuza and Raymundo, 2016).
values that are associated with the legal union
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

of men and women (Lanuza and Raymundo, into families are totally dependent on the
2016). care of others. Family members, especially
parents, provide a safe environment and
protection to an infant or child as they grow
| Sub-lesson 2: Socialization in the Family up. Family members also consciously or
unconsciously teach the child ideas, values,
beliefs, and norms (in the process called
enculturation).
What is the role of the family in an individual’s
life?
 The Role of Family in Socialization:

o Development of language, skills,

 Social Group - collection of people who hobbies and interests, attitudes and
have something in common and who behavior, personality, and character;
believe that what they have in common is
something significant. Members must feel o Transmission of culture (religious,
that they belong to this group. social, political, gender norms);

o Primary Group - small and tightly o Development of sense of

knit, bound by a strong sense of belongingness; and
belonging. Members turn to other
members for emotional and financial o Primary relationships responsible for
help. Example: family and friendship learning and enculturation.
groups.

o Secondary Group - large and  Socialization and the Life Course: For most
impersonal groups whose members of us, the family is present in all stages of
are bound by a shared goal and/or our lives: Childhood → Adolescence →
activity and not by emotional ties. Adulthood → Old Age → Death.
Example: company and clubs. Note:
Secondary groups may be primary  Influence of the Family on the Child’s
depending on the amount of time Personality - A family’s social position,
and dependency members allot to including race and social class, shapes a
other members. child’s personality (Macionis, 2017).

 Primary Socialization - Family is the first

How does the family affect the individual’s
setting of socialization where you first
practice of agency?
experience aspects like language, beliefs,
values, and norms.According to Pierre
Bourdieau, the family, especially the parents
or guardians, provide an individual the so-  Political will is first developed inside the
called cultural capital. home. Many parents pass on their political
beliefs to their children. However, many
 Family as an Agent of Socialization - children also take their own political path. A
“The family affects socialization in many more extreme example would be the
ways. For most people, in fact, the family existence of political dynasties.
may be the most important socialization
agent of all.” (Macionis, 2017). Infants born  An individual’s level of social awareness
and action is also heavily influenced by their
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

family’s immersion in social realities. crosses the line, they might be

Individuals whose family members are more punished. While most Filipino
socially-aware tend to have increased families do away from the
political participation as they grow up. practice of “pamamalo,” some
still do. When children make
mistakes or done something bad,
How does an individual socialize inside the parents/guardians would punish
circle of the family? them by spanking or hitting, thus
the infamous concepts of
“natsinelas, nasinturon, or nabitin
patiwarik.” On the other hand,
 Anticipatory Socialization refers to the social
when doing something good as
process where an individual learns to take
set by the parents/guardian,
on the values and standards of groups that
children are rewarded.
they are in or they plan to join. For example,
children anticipate becoming adults in the
o Gender norms are first enforced
future. They look at their parents/guardians
in the family setting. Since
who are adults as models to know what they
gender is normally associated
need to do. Could you give other examples?
with functions, gender roles are
normalized.

 Conforming or Deviating In doing household chores, the

mother (woman) normally
o Emile Durkheim’s Concept of nurtures the family, cleans, and
Deviance Applied in the Experience does other domestic functions.
of the Family - Deviance serves a The father (man), however,
function: normally attends to the matters
of livelihood. In the Filipino family
o Defining (cultural) values and context, conservative parents
norms - In the family, there are often enforce norms in attitudes
certain norms which are to be and behaviors on their children --
followed by the family members. how girls must behave, act, or
Not following the set norm or dress up or how boys should not
value results in deviance by a show emotions and man up. But
particular member. Example: nowadays, many families are
The concept of “blacksheep of doing-away with these beliefs
the family” reveals that there are and practices.
norms specific to each family. In
Filipino families, a “bulakbol” (an
individual who is happy-go-lucky
and does not value studies,
work, productivity) is usually
shunned by family members.

o Clarifying moral boundaries -

At an early age, a child is taught
by their parents the idea of what
is good and bad (broad sense of
morality). If a family member