Modernization as the Process of Social Change - Research Proposal Example

Understanding the Modern World Name: Institution: Introduction Humans are so social beings and any changes experienced in the environment significantly affects their social interactions. Of such influence on human social interactions is the concept of modernization. Macionis (2003, p629) defined modernization as the process of social change based on industrialization. This definition suggests the transformational nature of modernity by pegging it on social changes. Therefore, social changes are inevitable in situations of modernization. Focusing on industrialisation and individualisation, this report gives a case study on how these two social processes in the modern world have influenced the life of Phelix, a control engineer. In order to maintain relevancy with previous studies, it conducts a literature review of five sources, then conducts and interview followed by analysing the data collected from the single interview. It will be proven that indeed, modernization, through these two processes, has significantly shaped Phelix’s perception, daily operations and living standards socially at a great impact. Literature Review Macionis (2003) looked at modernization has a social change resulting in people abandoning small, traditional communities and expanding to personal choices leading to an increasing awareness and adoption of social diversity and focusing on the future. These four summarized dimensions of modernity significantly depicts the social changes human beings in the modern world experience and practice. These four dimensions have chronologically influenced social changes in terms of industrialisation and individualisation. This is highly evident in the categorization of people based on social status, age, employment/professions rather than the communities or ethnicity. Germov (2007), while trying to understand the new work ethic, noted that job/professional/empyoment categorization has become a powerful social tool in the modern world with the common question of “what do you do?” this indicates that categorization is skill-oriented and people would want to be identified through what they do, rather than where they come from. Germov (2007) noted that although work is a professional categorization, social aspects and changes play a significant role working environments because people would categorize themselves into either entrepreneurial industrial capitalist or industrial working class. Indeed, this is a new categorization resulting from division of labour and specialization as discussed by Macionis (2003). Another significant aspect of workplace and social interactions concerned the role of women in industries. Although the work of women was mainly to take care of their families and house chores, this evolved to include women in workplaces. Industrialization saw women get into formal employment just like men despite the fact that the existing of the glass ceiling has proven difficult to break. Probert (2006) noted that in 1950s, becoming a breadwinner was every man’s dream and that women also tagged along after monotomy in carrying out household chores. However, it is noted that work has changed over time, and this has been majorly based on social changes. Currently, most organizations have other programs that enhance social existence of employees, interactions with the community around them and even other free services that help employees get motivated such as day care for their children. Evidently, the social changes and work demands have forced a transformation in the industrial sector to not only focus on profit maximization, but also give encourage social coexistence. Probert (2006) noted that work still played a critical role in human wellbeing, self-realisation and adult development. Van Krieken, et al., (2006) noted the struggle that women had to go through especially in terms of remunerations. Women were paid only some fraction of what men were paid. Therefore, the society viewed women as less beings compared to men, hence the concept of discrimination. Another significant aspect of industrialization and modernity considered by Van Krieken, et al., (2006) is the work attitude. The authors noted that attitude played a critical role in working environments. Significant to note is the fact that attitude majorly borrows from social relations. Macionis (2003) and Van krieken, et al, (2006) share an opinion about the diminishing nature of positive or constructive cohesion amongst people because of industrialization. Conflict incidences are experienced at workplaces, and this is majorly due to the change in focus of relationships from compact small communities to being forced to embrace diversity. Before industrialization, people lived by spending time together, shared so many things in common. However, with industrialisation, the focus changed to maximizing output, thereby forcing people who do not understand each other to be in a given environment. Therefore, people unwillingly struggled to embrace diversity. Ballantyne (2006) discussed about gender, which is one of the workforce diversity aspects of both industrialisation and individualisation that has majorly characterised workplaces. The role of women has significantly transformed from being a housewife, to the modern office women able to take up any professional job handled by men. Definitely, the role of women has been an aspect of workplace attitude as proposed by Van Krieken, et al, (2006). Ballantyne (2006) noted the significance of fighting gender inequality both at home and in workplaces. However, the author noted that this gender sensitivity brought about a new dimension socially, especially in terms of family value. The ability of women to work, and hence be independent, rather than depending on their husbands to bring back food in the evening, brought about single-parenthood since women could raise children on their own as breadwinners and caretakers. This is an aspect of modernisation that the struggles against gender has brought about. Therefore, even the aspect of family changed with social transformations experienced. It is of such complexity that De Vaus (2006) found it difficult to define family. De Vaus (2006) noted that single parenthood has significantly played a role in redefining family. Important to note also, is the fact that relationships became more difficult to endure as compared to when industrialization and diversity were never given priority. However, the author noted that family still remained one factor that ensured family endurance. This is practically a common aspect of western families as children would bring unity and willingness of parents despite their differences. In terms of industrialization and individualization, modernity simply concerns the changes in worldviews as people get more exposed to changes experienced. Macionis (2003) noted, this aspect has he discussed Max Weber’s understanding of modernity. Evidently, from the gender perspective transformations, to the changes in perception of the family proposed by Ballantyne (2006) and De Vaus (2006) alongside the transformations that must take place in the workplace, it is evident that social changes play a significant role in defininty modernity. In fact, the concept of single parenthood, would not be given a thought in the 1940s. However, the approach and perception that people have concerning single parenthood changed tremendously and the reasons and even legal frameworks warranting such is an aspect that is considered socially accepted. The husbands also try to help with household chores despite the fact that this has not been on an equal basis. Therefore modernisation has seen women expand their potential and ability to include formal work apart from taking care of the family. Method An interview is a useful method of collecting data in a research study because more information can be gathered as compared to other methods such as use of questionnaires. In order to conduct an interview that closely represent the true perception, it is critical that the interviewer must obtain a consent from the participant, and he/she is required to sign a consent form to indicate his/her willingness to participate in the interview. It is also critical that the interviewee is made aware of the purpose of the study to ease uncertainty or tension. In order to understand the impacts of industrialisation and individualisation in the life of Phelix, in the modern world, a consent form was signed and the purpose of study adequately elaborated. Being a relative, he was willing to help with the study. The responses obtained were based on the willingness of the participant to answer the questions as asked and there was no information forced out of him. The following set of questions was a sample of the interview questions. 1) Please tell me about yourself, and a short history of your background (family and professional background) 2) Briefly tell me about your employment and that of your wife (if she is also employed) 3) How do your balance family and work commitments? 4) Which category of people fits in your social structure? 5) How does your work influence your social status interactions? 6) Do you consider your social perception to have evolved since childhood till today? 7) Do you have workplace social practices? 8) What is your perception of workplace diversity, and diversity in general? 9) How does your social perception and interactions influence your family? The data were collected through using audio recordings and note taking. The audio recordings would significantly help during data analysis when there is a need to verify certain information. The purpose of choosing Phelix for this study was based on the fact that he was ready to participate, he is employed and married with a family of three; a wife and two children. He is an engineer working for one of the lucrative engineering corporations in Australia. Being both a father, and formally employed, he was the suitable participant in the study. He is also a close relative who works for a larger company, thereby exposed to workforce diversity experiences, which would significantly aid in answering some of the interview questions. Findings From the interview conducted, Phelix did indicate that he is 35 years old, employed and married with two children. He also indicated that his wife works as a nurse in one of the public hospitals. They have two children (a boy and a girl) who are 7 and 3 years old respectively. He has worked for his current company for 5 years while the wife has been employed for 3 years (Phelix, 2014). Although he is an Australian, his wife is British, unlike his parents who are all Australian. His mother did not have a formal employment. Phelix admits that balancing work and family commitments is quite difficult and admits that his wife is more hardworking on balancing both more than he is. He thus pegged the success of his family staying together more to his wife’s commitment alongside his since they both understand the demands. He indicated be proud that his wife is formally employed because he would otherwise be overwhelmed by the responsibility of solely providing for the family. He indicates that he spends most of his social time with his workmates and fellow employed friends since they easily discuss work related problems, and also widen their connections. He has a couple of lawyer and doctor friends. However, he also indicated that his extended family also significantly plays a big role in his social sphere (Phelix, 2014). He indicated that despite the fact that diversity is a challenge, he respects people’s uniqueness and differences and loves knowing more about different cultural practices of others. Despite the fact that he strived to give his family full attention, in some occasions he did stumble between spending time with my family and friends. He indicated his joy that there were diversity promotional mechanisms at his workplace. Unlike in his previous employments, every last Friday of the month he can also take his children to work since there are various children activities and participation during this time (Phelix, 2014). He did indicate the existence of physical fitness and workplace games in this company enhance his interactions with workmates. Finally, he did indicate that as his career progresses, his social sphere changes significantly. Analysis and Discussions Evidently, the results of the interview depict a significant social change in terms of industrialization and individualization. They are both employed, unlike the situation with his parents where the mother did not have a formal employment. His social interactions are also changing with time depending on his career progression, thereby suggesting that work significantly impacts on social interactions. His responses focus on merging family and work, thereby combining industrialization and individualization processes practically (Phelix, 2014). He also admits that his wife’s role is significant because she balances work and family well than he does. This conforms to the argument that despite women taking formal jobs quite well, men were not able to adapt to household chores properly. The workplace has also evolved from profit maximization to ensuring that workers are motivated, are physically fit and have an opportunity for family time in the workplace. Conclusion From the research analysis, it is evident that industrialization and individualism has significantly influenced and evolved social interactions and changes both at home and work. With modernization, human social interactions tend to change and concentration given to such interactions in a mutual manner for women and men now contribute equally. Through the literature review and interview, it has been shown that these two processes significantly define modernisation. The transformations in family, gender roles, corporate contributions to social interactions and work influence on social changes, significantly define modernisation through industrialization and individualisation, thereby playing a big role in defining social coexistence. References: Germov, J. (2007 ). Chapter 18 The new work ethic in J Germov & M Poole, Public sociology: an introduction to Australian society, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, pp. 362-386. Macionis, J. (2003). Chapter 24 Social change: traditional modern and post modern societies in Sociology, 9th ed. Prentice Hall, NJ, pp. 629-641. Probert, B. (2006). Chapter 45 Work in P Beilharz & T Hogan, Sociology: place, time & division, Oxford University Press, Sth Melbourne, pp. 237-242. Van Krieken, et al. (2006). Chapter 5 Work, leisure and tourism in Van Krieken et al  Sociology: themes and perspectives, Pearson, Frenchs Forest NSW, pp. 177-195. Ballantyne, G. (2006). Chapter 73 Gender in P Beilharz & T Hogan Sociology: place, time & division, Oxford University Press, Sth Melbourne, pp. 383-387. De Vaus, D. (2006). Chapter 44 Family in P Beilharz & T Hogan, Sociology: place, time & division, Oxford University Press, Sth Melbourne, pp. 231-235. Phelix, K. A 2014 Unpublished interview for SLSS 101 Case Study, Swinburne Online Melbourne, 23 December. Read More

Currently, most organizations have other programs that enhance social existence of employees, interactions with the community around them and even other free services that help employees get motivated such as day care for their children. Evidently, the social changes and work demands have forced a transformation in the industrial sector to not only focus on profit maximization, but also give encourage social coexistence. Probert (2006) noted that work still played a critical role in human wellbeing, self-realisation and adult development.

Van Krieken, et al., (2006) noted the struggle that women had to go through especially in terms of remunerations. Women were paid only some fraction of what men were paid. Therefore, the society viewed women as less beings compared to men, hence the concept of discrimination. Another significant aspect of industrialization and modernity considered by Van Krieken, et al., (2006) is the work attitude. The authors noted that attitude played a critical role in working environments. Significant to note is the fact that attitude majorly borrows from social relations.

Macionis (2003) and Van krieken, et al, (2006) share an opinion about the diminishing nature of positive or constructive cohesion amongst people because of industrialization. Conflict incidences are experienced at workplaces, and this is majorly due to the change in focus of relationships from compact small communities to being forced to embrace diversity. Before industrialization, people lived by spending time together, shared so many things in common. However, with industrialisation, the focus changed to maximizing output, thereby forcing people who do not understand each other to be in a given environment.

Therefore, people unwillingly struggled to embrace diversity. Ballantyne (2006) discussed about gender, which is one of the workforce diversity aspects of both industrialisation and individualisation that has majorly characterised workplaces. The role of women has significantly transformed from being a housewife, to the modern office women able to take up any professional job handled by men. Definitely, the role of women has been an aspect of workplace attitude as proposed by Van Krieken, et al, (2006).

Ballantyne (2006) noted the significance of fighting gender inequality both at home and in workplaces. However, the author noted that this gender sensitivity brought about a new dimension socially, especially in terms of family value. The ability of women to work, and hence be independent, rather than depending on their husbands to bring back food in the evening, brought about single-parenthood since women could raise children on their own as breadwinners and caretakers. This is an aspect of modernisation that the struggles against gender has brought about.

Therefore, even the aspect of family changed with social transformations experienced. It is of such complexity that De Vaus (2006) found it difficult to define family. De Vaus (2006) noted that single parenthood has significantly played a role in redefining family. Important to note also, is the fact that relationships became more difficult to endure as compared to when industrialization and diversity were never given priority. However, the author noted that family still remained one factor that ensured family endurance.

This is practically a common aspect of western families as children would bring unity and willingness of parents despite their differences. In terms of industrialization and individualization, modernity simply concerns the changes in worldviews as people get more exposed to changes experienced. Macionis (2003) noted, this aspect has he discussed Max Weber’s understanding of modernity. Evidently, from the gender perspective transformations, to the changes in perception of the family proposed by Ballantyne (2006) and De Vaus (2006) alongside the transformations that must take place in the workplace, it is evident that social changes play a significant role in defininty modernity.

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