Many social changes are driven by protests and demonstrations.
If it is important to know the meaning of the term social change , it is also important to be clear about the etymological origin of the two words that give it shape:
-Change, first of all, derives from Latin. Specifically, it comes from "cambium" and can be translated as "give one thing for another."
-Social, secondly, also emanates from Latin. In its case, it comes from "socialis" which means "belonging or relating to the community of people." A word that is the result of the union of two Latin components: the noun "socius", which is equivalent to "companion", and the suffix "-al", which is used to indicate "relative to".
An important modification in the structure of a society is called social change . These changes may occur in the values, traditions, norms or material manifestations of the community in question.
The study of social changes
Politics , sociology , economics and history are sciences that study social changes. Disturbances in society can occur in various ways. There are changes that are progressive and are the result of historical evolution, while others are abrupt and are generated from a revolution or other phenomenon.
It is important to mention that social changes can arise within the community or be promoted by the ruling classes . Processes are dynamic and can take different directions over time.
Classification according to its characteristics
Social changes can be classified in very different ways, of which the following are examples:
-If time is taken into account, we find changes produced in a short period of time or that take place over a long period of time.
-Depending on the pace at which they have taken place, they can be gradual or revolutionary.
-In the event that the consequences that they have brought with them are taken into account, we come across destructive or renewing changes.
-Based on the causes that originate the change, we can speak of unknown or rationally established social changes.
-Depending on the origin of the change, on the other hand, the changes can be exogenous or endogenous.
-If the nature of it is taken into account, we come across conjunctural and structural social changes.
In recent years, there has been a social change regarding homosexuality in many Western countries.
Homosexuality and social change
An example of social change is what has happened in many Western countries regarding homosexuality . For many years gays and lesbians had to hide their sexual choice so as not to suffer discrimination. Over time, a large part of society began to understand that all adults are free to decide how to develop their intimate lives.
The acceptance of homosexual couples later led to the possibility of formalizing these ties before the State through marriages and civil unions. In this way social change was institutionalized.
Ecological awareness
Ecological awareness is another example of social change.
More and more people understand the importance of taking care of the environment to prevent humans from continuing to lose natural resources and destroy the planet. Before, however, those who made decisions based on environmental criteria were a minority.