The Rules are important in society , Both for children and adults, because they control behaviors that can be destructive to others and maintain the well-being of the general population.
Perhaps you have questioned why in society and in all its possible contexts there are so many rules that tell us how to behave. At times it is even complicated not to break any rules and act as society expects us to act.
It is normal that when you think about this idea you may even feel annoyed, because many times (not to say most) we act based on how we have been taught that it was the right thing to do.
When we live in a group it is normal for conflicts to arise from this coexistence, in fact, the existence of conflicts is not always a negative thing, since it can contribute to the group positive elements as long as these conflicts know how to manage themselves properly.
In the same way, there are also conflicts that can damage the group both in a group and individual way. That is why establishing order and guidelines with which everyone is conforming is essential for the group.
This implies that there is a need for individual and group behavior to be regulated in favor of the harmonious maintenance of the group.
In this article we are going to talk about standards, what they serve, and how they are.
He thinks that in the world we live millions of people, and that if each of us did what he wanted at any moment, this would mean that sharing the space of our planet was impossible.
And we can not only apply that example to the human species as a group, but to groups that we belong to that are smaller, such as family, school, work, neighborhood... etc.
What are the rules?
When we speak of social norms we refer to those guidelines that influence a particular group. These have the function of defining what is right and which is not.
Social norms regulate the behavior of members of a particular social group, classifying these behaviors as acceptable or unacceptable.
In addition the rules can vary equally according to the context or the situation in which we are involved.
If you think about it, almost everything you do throughout the day has a normative influence. Whether at work, family, couple or friends. In addition, standards determine, guide, and predict human behavior.
Norms are internalized and accepted by each of us, and although there may be some rules that do not please us, we usually feel conformity to them, since one of the foundations of standards is ethics and morality.
It should be added that the fact that rules exist in a group has a unifying effect on it, making the members of the group feel more identified and belonging to the group.
If we used a simple classification to determine the types of rules, the one chosen would determine that the rules can be included in two different groups:
- Legal norms: Are those rules that appear in regulations or official documents. Failure to comply with this type of rules entails sanctions of various types (such as economic or administrative) of an institutional nature.
A legal rule could be for example not stealing.
- Social norms: Are considered in this group those that are recognized in a social way. It refers for example to fashion, tradition, customs... etc. Failure to comply with this type of rules does not imply an institutional sanction, although it may affect the social level.
A social norm could be for example going well dressed to a wedding.
Thus, as a summary, from this first point we can say that a rule is a rule that governs the behavior of people in those social situations in which we participate.
Where are the rules born?
Social norms usually originate in the various institutions that exist. These institutions are what determine the appropriate behavior, which is determined by ethics and therefore must follow the norm.
One of the functions of the rules is to ensure that there is social cohesion that allows people to live in harmony.
Compliance with standards is paramount for optimal follow-up. Although we must not forget that the fact that the person is or is not conformed, can be conditioned by the situation and beliefs of the individual.
In addition, the society in which we live also conditions the values we have and what we believe to be right or wrong. So a social norm that works perfectly in one culture, may not work in another.
Likewise, failure to comply with a rule can have negative consequences for the individual.
Usually punishment is applied, although incidentally, punishment has a much lower efficacy when it comes to relapse in default compared to internalizing the rule.
In order for a rule to be operative and fulfilled, the following 3 conditions are required:
- A high percentage of the population should consciously accept the rule.
- A high percentage of the population that accepts the norm, is taken seriously and internalized.
- If the rule is not met, the person is punished.
characteristics
Social norms must meet 5 points to be considered by all. These points are as follows:
- Social norms are universal: This means that there is no group or society in the world that does not have a set of rules, because if they were not available, the social group would lack order. Just as no group is free from problems and conflicts, no group can be exempt from rules.
- All standards incorporate a value judgment: Norms are usually shared by all members of a particular group. This is related to the fact that in the face of a situation, the behavior that would normally be applied by everyone is what is expected. In addition, as each person behaves, it carries behind it a moral value or judgment that will give us the guideline to determine if an action is right or wrong.
- The rules are relative: This point refers to the characteristics of a particular group that affect the proposed standards. Factors such as culture, age, social role, status or even the profession may influence standards.
- All standards are not equally important: It is true that all rules help us to live in a greater common harmony, but not all are equally relevant. It is only necessary to look at the example of the punishment that entails the non-compliance of a given norm with respect to another.
- The norms are internalized by individuals: This indicates that, for better compliance with any type of standard, one of the best ways is for people to fully understand why this rule must be complied with and respected. In addition, when the norms are internalized over time, through the process of socialization, they become part of the individual; Thus achieving that the fulfillment of the same occurs naturally.
Once the characteristics of the rules are explained, where they come from and what they are, it is time to know the role or importance of these norms in the social environment.
Why are they important?
A society without rules is not feasible
Standards are an important part of the social system, going hand in hand. This is understood in this way because the rules make the coexistence of one with another is possible and more bearable.
Without norms there is no normative order, which, for the social model we have developed, is of great importance.
The norms have a function of regulating and guiding the behavior
Standards exert control over the behavior of people. They make a person can not behave as he or she wants.
This influences at the social level, since in regulating the individual behavior we obtain both a care of the society as such offered by its members, as the coverage of the needs of society itself.
The rules maintain the social order
He social order Refers to a concept from the social sciences, which refers to the structure of a given society, given by the hierarchy, norms and institutions in that society.
When we mention the term structure, we must think at the social level as the skeleton that makes a whole group of humans able to keep together without reigning chaos.
It should be added that the fact that there are rules in a society, does not imply that there are no problems of coexistence or behavior of its members, but it does mean that society can continue to evolve without self-destruction.
The rules give cohesion to society
The term cohesion refers to the degree of acceptance and consensus of the components of a particular group, or the perception of belonging to that particular group or situation in particular.
Cohesion can measure the intensity that exists in social interaction within the same group. Something like understanding that you are part of the group and keep it together.
You should know that in a cohesive group, the people that compose it act in a coordinated way, and that the Relationships between them are better .
The groups that enjoy a good cohesion, having such coordination can achieve goals in a simpler way.
In relation to the central theme of the article, it is important to understand that anomie (social disorganization) undermines cohesion.
It should be added that one of the most important factors in complying with the regulations is the perception that we have of the authoritarian figure that enforces the rules through reward or punishment.
If the authority also complies with the norm and has a good performance in controlling behavior, people will integrate the standard in a more optimal way.
Standards help to achieve individual self-control
It is about empowering and achieving greater self-control based on the discipline imposed upon compliance.
By following a certain norm that is applicable to the whole world, a limit is created not only social but also individual.
You may not agree with some of the rules you have to live with each day, but imagine if no one met some rules to disagree, chaos could be terrible.
It is true that there are rules that may have already been obsolete, difficult to fulfill or have little meaning in some contexts, so if you find any of these, you do not have to break it but simply look for a different alternative.
CONCLUSIONS
This article is not intended to influence the decisions that people must take to live their lives, but to help you understand that living surrounded by other human beings sometimes involves having respect both for oneself and for others.
Remember that behind each rule there is an ethical reason that can make you see quickly because it is important to comply with the rules.