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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Human is a social being and thus cannot thrive single. With this, several issues of relations and conduct show up that require special attention for smooth ride towards a dignified society. This led to the birth of an altogether new discipline termed as Sociology.

In a nutshell, Sociology basically studies human society as an interconnected whole. But here, it may be noted that an unauthentic study is not sociology, on the other hand, it is a science which demands certain rules in its observation and analysis. One of its tasks is to unravel the connection between a personal problem and a public issue.

RELATION BETWEEN PERSONAL PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC ISSUE

It is not hard to notice how a poverty-stricken family as a whole contributes greatly to the assessment of the social structure. A homeless couple in a society has raised homelessness as a public issue which led to the operationalization of the Indira Awas Yojana from 1999-2000.

Thus, activities and troubles occurring within the character of the individual and within the range of his immediate relations with others may transcend the boundary of local environments and reach out to influence the society.

But it is interesting to note that how a society as well greatly determines the personal status of an individual. When a society is industrialized, a peasant becomes a worker; a feudal lord is liquidated or becomes a businessman. When economy goes down, people go broke and at times of war, common man is made to hold arms, a wife lives alone and a child grows up without a father.

PLURALITIES AND INEQUALITIES AMONG SOCIETIES