"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." - Michael J. Fox

Social institutions are foundational structures in our society that govern individual behaviors and societal norms. They are the "rules" and frameworks within which individual lives play out.

1. Definition:

A social institution is a complex, integrated set of social norms organized around the preservation of a basic societal value.

2. Main Social Institutions:

• Family: The primary unit for socialization and care throughout life.
• Religion: Provides spiritual, moral, and social guidance.
• Education: Formalized system of knowledge and skill transmission.
• Economy: Governs production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services.
• Government: Establishes and enforces societal norms and laws.

3. Functions of Social Institutions:

• Socialization: Teaching societal norms, values, and roles.
• Regulation: Establishing the rules by which society operates.
• Fulfilling Basic Needs: Meeting the primary needs of society, such as procreation, social order, and economic stability.
• Support & Protection: Providing care, support, and safety for its members.