8 Factors Resisting Social Change

Factors Resisting Social Change

1. Social Barriers

Social factors such as orthodoxy, rigid caste and class structure, public opinion, vested interests, factionalism, conflict, are the barriers to change.

2. Cultural Barriers

Conservatism, fatalism, superstitions, a feeling of pride and dignity in the old and traditional ways of life, incompatibility of new and old cultural traits, slavery and poverty are the cultural barriers to change. For example, in South India the devdasi custom in temples causes obstruction in the social change for the eradication of prostitution. Similarly many values of Hindu religion are obstacles in the way of begging.

3. Political Barriers

Political factors also resist social change. In our country many kings, maharajas and big landlords oppose many changes to bring about equality among the people.

4. Economic Barriers

Economic conditions also are obstruction in social change. Poor people do not think of anything except bread and other necessities of life. A person may become lazy because of excessive surplus money. He thinks everything in terms of materialistic benefits. He is resistant to good changes.

5. Psychological Barriers

Man’s love for traditions, his pessimistic attitude, the lack of desire for material and economic gains, indifference towards the material world and learning problems are some of the psychological barriers to social change.

6. Fear

Fear of the people that social change will prove harmful is resistant to change. Those who are leading a life of slavery and poverty and those who, for lack of confidence fear that social change will bring misery and sorrow are barriers to social change.

7. Shortage of Inventions

When the public is not dynamic there are fewer or no inventions. People are not prepared to accept the invention. If there is no invention or fewer inventions the chances of social change become bleak.

8. Isolation

Isolation is another deterrent factor. When a certain social group, a society or a community is isolated from the rest of the social group, community, nation or the world, the members do not have the opportunity to observe other groups and consequently do not become aware of their weaknesses, shortcomings, tensions and needs. It must be kept in mind that isolation may be psychological as well as geographical.