From the moment of birth to this day, representatives of mankind have come up with many different rules that help in regulating relations in society, family, at work, etc. Some of them have grown into centuries-old traditions and customs. With the advent of educational institutions and the introduction of the subject of sociology, these rules and traditions began to be called social norms.
The concept
Social norms are a model of behavior accepted in society that functions as a regulator of relationships between people and communities of people. Examples of social norms can be traced in the daily behavior of people in society.
Everyone knows, for example, that being naked in public is unacceptable, and in some countries even punishable by imprisonment. This rule does not apply only to specially designated venues for meetings of nudists (exclusively in countries with progressive democratic societies), as well as establishments such as saunas. But even such places are divided by gender.
Before considering specific examples of social norms, it is necessary to determine their signs and types. Classification will help to better understand specific patterns of behavior.
Occurrence
The development of social norms is directly related to the development of society. The first community had enough rituals to regulate issues arising in the process of living together. A ritual is one of the first social norms, which is a routine in the community for performing certain actions.
Customs are considered a more developed form of norms than rituals. Following them are religious norms. Their formation takes place in the process of a person's awareness of his insignificance before natural phenomena. There are cults of various deities, worship of the forces of nature.
Along with customs and religion, principles of morality appear. And with the advent of the state system, the first legal and economic norms are formed.
Classification
Let us highlight, speaking about the main types of social norms, examples of norms of international action. They are closely intertwined and participate in the regulation of relations for several at once.
One of the primary norms of a large-scale nature are political. They are expressed in various declarations and charters, regulate relations in the political sphere not only of one state, but also on an international scale. Examples of social norms of a political nature are forms of power implemented in states. For example, for Britain, monarchy is a social norm.
Economic principles are rules for the distribution of wealth in society. That is, these norms generate social classes. Ideally, the principle of equal division should act. Salary is an example of this type of norm. Economic rules, as well as political ones, can operate on the scale of several states and characterize financial and commodity circulation between them. The remaining species operate on a smaller scale, in specific social groups.
Types of social norms. Statewide Examples
Legal norms are the main regulator of relations in the state. They are a set of rules for the failure of which there is a penalty in the form of pecuniary punishment, administrative responsibility or imprisonment. If the teacher asks: "Give examples of various social norms of the rule of law", the response can be called the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Cultural norms regulate a person’s behavior in the society to which he belongs by birth or kind of hobbies. If you are asked: “Give examples of social norms of this type, ” then it is worth talking about the rules that are formed in a person in the process of his life in certain circles. The state plays an important role in this formation. The more developed the culture of the whole country, the more cultural norms in it. For example, in some Muslim countries, a woman is not supposed to appear in a society with an open face - this is a cultural norm.
Social rules
Examples of social norms in society are diverse, but there are several global ones. The largest communities are religious organizations. Religious norms serve to regulate relations not only within such communities, but also in relations with organizations and people who are not of the same faith. Examples of social norms of this nature are easy to pick up. The most common ceremonies are weddings and funeral services for the deceased. The same kind of norms includes relations between the abbot of a monastery and monks, the holy father and parishioners of his church.
Aesthetic norms are historical in nature. They form the concept of the beautiful and the ugly. These rules apply not only to a person, but also to his actions, as well as to works of art, types of animals, etc. In modern society, aesthetic norms sometimes have a negative effect on a person, his self-confidence, and, accordingly, his place in life. This is due to stereotypical thinking about an attractive appearance. As a result, a person who does not fit into the general framework with his appearance or behavior may not be accepted by a particular society. An excellent example of this is the tale "The Ugly Duckling".
Examples of different social norms
There are also rules that are not tied to a particular society or state. These are the norms of morality that form the concepts of good and bad. They are formed on the basis of specific behavior taken as a reference. Some moral standards are supported by legal documents. Basically, they are designed for the conscience of man and his moral usefulness. Immoral behavior is followed by condemnation by society, and in some cases punishment by law.
The norms of customs and traditions are also historical in nature. They have been installed over many centuries and are stereotyped actions in certain situations. What will be the examples of social norms in this case? Customs imply the performance of any actions by virtue of habit, and traditions are values or a model of behavior accepted by society and strictly implemented by its members. Customs and traditions are closely linked to cultural norms.
Corporate standards are also distinguished from various social norms, which regulate relations between employees of the same structure or members of the same interests club. Such rules are established by community members; they also select and apply measures of influence on violators.
Family Relations
Examples of social norms governing family relations are so diverse that it is very difficult to single out specific ones. The family is controlled by the state, religious organizations and society. Moreover, each side is trying to direct family relations along its own lines. Sometimes this number of rules leads to the opposite effect.
If the teacher asks: "Give examples of social norms that affect family relationships, " answer that these are legal and religious norms, moral standards, traditions and customs. However, do not forget that the rest of the rules also have some influence, since the family is a miniature state with its own political and economic laws. Perhaps for this reason, many young people of the current generation are in no hurry to start a family. When a person is indicated on all sides what he needs to do to look full in the eyes of the public, the desire for some action disappears.
Legalized social rules
Examples of social norms that regulate family relations, which are enshrined in law, are easy to cite. For example, a fundamental event in family life - marriage. Legally, marriage is regulated by law. They stipulate the procedure for marriage (filing an application, setting the date of marriage, the issuance of documents confirming marital status), as well as the procedure for divorce proceedings (application for divorce, divorce through a court, division of property, appointment of alimony, etc.).
Economic social norms also have a certain effect on family relationships. Family income, as well as the possibility of obtaining social benefits, depend on them. This is especially true for single-parent families. In many states they are entitled to additional financial assistance to solve financial problems.
These types of norms have a legislative base, and their influence is due to the attitude of state power to the importance of the institution of the family. For the full development of family relations, such support is necessary. But its selectivity often only interferes with this development.
Regulation of family relationships by social norms
Customs and traditions have a great influence on family relationships. They begin their action with the decision of one of the couple about marriage. The marriage proposal, engagement and other customs form the concept of how the family should be born. And those who do not fit into this framework are often condemned by the public.
Religious norms also have a definite effect on human relationships. In the most widespread religion - Christianity - it is impossible to have children without a wedding and creating a family. Otherwise, condemnation of the church will follow. These historical circumstances sometimes only interfere with the formation of a new family.
Here are examples of social norms that are responsible for the behavior of spouses (moral standards). For example, cheating in marriage is unacceptable only in terms of morality. Legally, this is not punished in any way (in democracies). But condemnation of the public in this case will inevitably lead to the collapse of family relations.
Examples of the impact of social norms on a person’s character
The character of a person largely depends on the traditions of upbringing established in the family, as well as on the norms and rules that operate in the surrounding society. Moral standards should be instilled from birth. This is the key to the formation of concepts of bad and good behavior in a child from an early age.
The opinion of others significantly affects the character of a person. A good attitude of people to themselves adds confidence. And it often happens that a bad attitude is based solely on aesthetic standards. That is, a person for society is unattractive externally. Such an opinion of others can lead to bitterness and the formation of immoral principles.
