If it is important to know the meaning of the term social change, it is also clear to have the etymological origin of the two words that shape it:
-Change, in the first place, derives from Latin. Specifically, it comes from "cambium" and can be translated as "giving one thing for another."
-Social, secondly, also emanates from Latin. In his 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".
It is called social change to one modification important in the structure of a society . These changes may occur in the values, traditions, norms or material manifestations of the community in question.
The politics , the sociology , the economy and the history They are sciences that study social changes. Alterations of society can occur in various ways. There are changes that are progressive and that are constituted as the result of a 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 driven by ruling classes . The processes are dynamic and can acquire different directions over time.
An example of social change is what has happened in many Western countries regarding the homosexuality . For many years, gays and lesbians had to hide their sexual choice to avoid discrimination. With the weather Much of society began to understand that all adults are free to decide how to develop their intimate life. The acceptance of homosexual couples then resulted in the possibility of formalizing these links before the State through marriages and civil unions. In this way social change was institutionalized.
Social changes can be classified in many 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.
- According to the rhythm in which they have taken place they can be gradual or revolutionary.
-In the event that they take into account what are the consequences they have brought, we encounter destructive or renovating changes.
-Departing from what are the causes that cause the change, we can talk about social changes that are unknown or rationally established.
-According to what is 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 encounter the current and structural social changes.
The ecological awareness It is another example of social change. More and more people understand the importance of caring for the environment to prevent the human being Keep losing natural resources and destroying the planet. Before, however, those who made decisions based on environmental criteria were a minority.
