Scope of Rural Sociology

Scope of Rural Sociology

The scope of rural sociology refers to the boundary or subject matter of this discipline. Regarding the subject matter, A.R. Desai is of the opinion that it is a developing science; a young science at the stage of infancy and its subject matter is yet to be determined. Prof. Nelson says about the scope of rural sociology that rural sociology is the description and analysis of progress of various groups as they exist in rural environment. T.L. Smith also says that the field of rural sociology is the study of pattern of association, groupings and group behaviour of the people who mainly live on agriculture and agriculture is their means of livelihood.

It is concluded from the above opinion that the scope of rural sociology is the study of rural societies and complexities of rural social life. Indian rural community is a veritable mosaic of different communities.

Rural sociology is the scientific, systematic, comprehensive study three rural social organizations, its structure, functions and objective tendencies of development. It deals with the systematic study of social relationship and various problems concerning the rural society mid rural life.

1.   A Study of Rural Community: Rural sociology is concerned with the characteristics, features, nature and human ecology of village community. It is also the study of activities of rural people. Through these activities we know the institutional objects of the community.

2.   A Study of Rural Social Structure: Rural sociology studies the various components of rural social structure. For example, village community, caste, class, dominant caste, jajmani system, caste and politics, backward class etc.

3.   A Study of Rural Institutions: Rural sociology studies the structure, characteristics and functions of rural social institutions. It studies the institutions like family, marriage, kinship, religion, caste etc. in the rural context.

4.   A Study of Rural Social Organization: In rural sociology rural social organisations are unavoidably studied. It includes the study of rural family pattern, marriage, rural social stratification, educational system, religion, cultural institutions etc.

5.     A Study of Rural Problems: The subject matter of rural sociology includes the problems of rural life such as social, economic, political and cultural problems. Rural social problems are increasing day-by-day. It is essential that these should be solved in a planned way. It requires separate analysis because the cause and consequences of these problems are different from the problems in general. These, problems include poverty, illiteracy, religious superstitions, traditionalism, inadequate housing, rural unemployment etc.

6.     A Study of Religion and Culture: In rural society religion and culture of rural people are given more emphasis. Because these are the indispensable part of their lives. Religion plays an important role in rural society. Rural society is basically religion-oriented society. It acts as an informal means of social control. The rural people follow all the rules and regulations related to religion and culture. Culture includes old customs, traditions, folkways, norms, values, etc. Rural sociology studies the complexity of rural culture, cultural patterns etc.

7.   A Study of Rural Social Process: Social process indicates the fundamental ways through which these people can interact with other groups. IL includes associative and dissociative processes. Co-operation as an associative social process can be observed more than any other processes. Competition and conflict can also be seen in rural society. These processes take place in peculiar way in rural society and studied separately from a particular angle.

8.     A Study of Rural Social Control: Rural sociology is also a study of rural social control. Social control is the control over the society. It starts from the family level. Rural sociology significantly studies the infernal means of social control like customs, traditions, folkways, mores, norms, religion etc. Social controls are more social than legal. The fear of boycott from the social function is more powerful control than any other legal punishment. Social control may be conducted in various ways. It varies from society to society.

9.   A Study of Social Change: Social change is the change in the social relationships; the changing aspect of any system of the society. Due to the impact of modern education, means of transport and communication, modernisation, urbanisation, industrialisation, the rural society is now undergoing tremendous changes. Only through change, the way of progress and change can be possible. Rural sociology studies the various factors responsible for social change in a very systematic way.

10.    A Study of Rural Reconstruction: Rural reconstruction is an important aspect of life and without which development is impossible. Rural sociology studies various plans and programmes relating to community development programmes. It also studies different laws of government regarding the reconstruction of village communities.

       Rural society needs rural planning and reconstruction in a systematic and planned manner. Rural sociology serves the purpose and provides guidelines to the institutions and organisations which are engaged in developmental tasks. Thus, planning and reconstruction of rural society forms the subject matter of rural sociology.

11.     A Study of Rural – Urban Continuum and Contrast: Rural sociology studies rural—urban contrast and continuum on the basis of social, economic, religious and cultural point of view. Both village and city hypothetically are two contrasting modes of community life. It has to be studied in a scientific manner. By studying the comparison between these two, it can meet different plans and programmes for the development of rural community.

12.    A Study of Planning: Rural sociology is a study of social planning relating to rural society. Community development projects, Panchayati Raj, Co-operative movements are coming under this study. Their success and failure can only be measured by the study of rural sociology. It is the prime objective of rural sociologist to show exact position of different plans and programmes which have been implemented in the rural areas.

Thus, the scope of the study of rural sociology is very wide and comprehensive. Although it is a young and developed science, it studies various aspects of social life and social problems concerning rural life and rural society to a great extent.