These 5 questions will explain everything on social norms

These 5 questions will explain everything on social norms

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 These 5 questions will explain everything on social norms. Know the answers. http://bit.ly/1T0CtIO

 Know the answers to these 5 questions and take the first step to tackle social norms. http://bit.ly/1T0CtIO

Julie Thekkudan, who is leading Gender Justice programme at Oxfam India explains the gender based social norms in India.

1. What is a social norm?

The fact that women are expected to have babies and take care of home and the family, while men are expected to be the breadwinners is a good example of a gender based social norm. These are unspoken rules prevalent in our society and often reflect in how people, especially women and girls are expected to behave. Social norms are constantly defining appropriate or inappropriate way of acting or thinking for an individual or a group.

2. Can you explain how these norms came into being?

Patriarchy, is a good place to start. Ideally, most decisions are made by the men in the family. If you step outside the family and look at communities or for that matter the polity, the decision making power mostly lies with males. This automatically leads to the assumption that women and girls have lesser value in society, communities and families. Preference for a son through sex selective abortion, dowry or lack of education and nutrition for girls are just some of the ways this norm is practiced.

3. Why is it important to address social norms as a problem?

Our textbooks show images of women in the kitchen and men as farmers, but in reality more than 40% of the agricultural labour in India are women. Our advertisements have shown that women need to be fair skinned to attain success in life. Our films send signals to impressionable young boys that by stalking a girl, they can get a girl to fall in love with them. Such social norms are constantly influencing our thoughts and shaping our behavior which is why it is important to call them out as a problem. Moreover, if we hope to achieve gender equality women need to be valued as much as men.

4. How can we change social norms?

The first step towards this change is to be aware of these existing social norms. Second would be to acknowledge them as a problem. Third and final step is to tackle them in a constructive manner. All of this is possible if we on an everyday basis question existing attitudes, norms and behaviours. The end result of social norm change is really a behavioural change of individuals and groups. We at Oxfam India are trying through grassroot programmes and campaigns to not only challenge these norms but at the same time, enable an environment to form a new positive norm.

5. How soon can we hope to achieve this change?

A change in social norm is a long term process, as it is a change in behaviours of individuals and collectives. This involves a great deal of self-reflection and honesty, something that is not easy to do in a short span of time. When a critical mass of individuals display changed behaviour that is when social norms will change. That’s our goal.

It’s time to acknowledge that social attitudes, behaviours and practices (social norms) are fuelling extreme gender inequality. 

The journey to tackle this inequality (#Farq) starts by signing this pledge.

General FAQs

What is meant by social norms?

Social norms are excepted behaviours which individuals of particular groups or cultures have to follow. Social norms are assigned to people based on gender, ethnicity, culture, or race. They are unwritten rules of the society, sometimes maybe written, which determine how each individual behaves.

What are social norms and values?

Social norms are rules to which individuals must confirm to and behave according to those rules whereas values are concepts which individuals believe are important to them and determine their behaviour based on those values. For example, being honest is a value and the expectation that an individual will not steel is a norm.

What are the 4 types of norms?

The four types of social norms are: folkways, mores, taboos, and laws.
Folkways are standard behaviours which people follow in their everyday life, while interacting with the society. They may or not be aligned with morals. Example, standing in queue at the cash counter of a store.
Mores are more strict forms of behaviour and determine moral obligations. Violating mores is not illegal but often offends people. For example, wearing black or coloured clothing in a funeral where the concerned culture may expect people to wear white as a sign of mourning.
Taboos are extremely negative social norms and one must follow them strictly. Violating taboos results in completely getting excluded from the society and a feeling of disgust from those around. For example, homosexuality is a taboo in many eastern cultures. A homosexual person faces extreme discrimination and inhumane treatment by those considering homosexuality a taboo.
Laws are formal rules enacted by the state to which citizens must abide by. Violating rules results in legal action by the state against the violators. For example, physically injuring another person is against the law, and those committing the act face legal action.

Sources: https://www.thoughtco.com/folkways-mores-taboos-and-laws-3026267

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/culture-and-societies/cultural-norms

https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/ccj230/chapter/1-3-folkways-mores-taboo-behaviors/

What is an example of a social norm?

A social norm is a behaviour to which an individual must confirm to. Example, a woman is expected to carry out household chores and take care of children and sick family members and a man is expected to be the sole earner for his family. This is an example of social norm based on a person’s gender.

How are social norms enforced?

Social norms maybe enforced by verbal or non-verbal cues. They are passed from parents to offsprings, taught by teachers, or learnt by observing one’s surroundings. For example, a young girl may learn to dress up in the way social norms expect her to by observing other girls around her or directly being taught by her parents. A young boy, who is expected to learn to hide his emotions, maybe taught so by his parents or may learn by taking cues from other boys around him.

What is the purpose of a social norm?

Social norms aim to enforce “correct” behaviour in an individual and create order in the society. Social norms help create predictability and help people make sense of their surroundings. When people are expected to behave a certain way there is a sense of assurance. For example, the norm according to which one is expected to arrive on time at work creates order in an organisations and a mutual understanding among employees.