Sociology of Ideal vs. Real Societies: Bridging the Gap

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Sociology is the study of human relationships and institutions. It covers various activities such as social change, social life, and the consequences of human behavior. Unifying all these factors shape our surroundings and our social structures. Sociology explains aspects that matter at a personal level, in our communities, and around the world. Understanding social processes are very tedious and entail a careful understanding of social life. Sociological concepts allow individuals to connect personal experiences and social forces, an ideal attribute in this complex and changing society. Sociology covers a broad perspective of knowledge in the community, a tool essential for the well-being of an individual in society. According to (Blau, 2017), the social structure constitutes the building blocks of social life. The key components include; population, social organization, material products, social institutions, and culture. in sociology, the population is defined in terms of how people coexist regarding race, ethnicity, location, nationality, and religion. It is the basic foundation of society; without it, the other components of sociology do not exist. Culture relates to the way of life in attire, language, food, religion, art, and behavior codes. These aspects are passed from generation to generation. Material products entail the tangible and intangible products each society possesses. The tangible products include; houses, space, resources, etc., while intangible products entail factors like technology. Social institutions entail peer groups, marriage, and family. In society, people fit into various stages. Family is the basic unit in society, containing people related by blood and marriage. Social organizations link various social groups with individual members of society. Examples of social organizations include; governments, religion, education, and the economy. An ideal society operates under stipulated standards ethically, morally, spiritually, and socially. It is a vibrant society free from discrimination and injustice, thrives economically, and allows human beings to live peacefully without interference. This society entails upholding human dignity and respecting each other. Individuals in an ideal society have a strong, cohesive bond of unity and collective prosperity. A practical society entails cultures and norms that society follows. It follows a pattern influenced by social forces that make people behave a certain way. The gap between an ideal and practical society is wide due to the difference in ideologies. An ideal society teaches perfect behavior, while a real society is flexible and involves mistakes. The difference between an ideal and practical society can be explained using the concept of marriage. Ideal marriages are those based on love and living forever, while practical ones involve divorces and family tribulations. Christian marriages are often called holy and divine, and marriage ties should be maintained forever. However, in real society, marriages are a contract with numerous happenings of...