Social Disintegration of Society (In the Present) Through the Eyes of Emile Durkheim

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:
One of the founders of Sociology

According to “Ritzer’s” Introduction of Sociology, Durkheim believed that the educational system should provide individuals with training for life in a broader society. He taught sociology of morality in hopes of the moral system being passed on to young people. His perspective was that society is held together by mechanical solidarity (a social/moral consensus). The subject of morality was his main focus of study. “Each society is unique, with it’s own needs and norms”. People go about their daily lives probably without giving much thought to how or why human beings operate the way we do. Some may assume that society maintains order and stability because we have laws that govern our actions. Yet there are those who break the law even while being completely aware of the consequences. So what is the “glue” that holds society together? Durkheim calls it the “Core Value System”. There are indicators we experience through generations that aid in the breakdown of the CVS. Although this system does exist, society as a whole is disintegrating because our ties to the CVS gradually weaken as time passes. The following, (not in any particular order) in my opinion are some examples that contribute to the breakdown of society.

  1. Addiction: The forefront of social distruction. Because addiction comes in many forms, the aftermath is endless. Aside from the obvious drug and alcohol abuse which ultimately leads to crime as well as serious health issues, people are also addicted to food and gambling just to name a few behavoirs resulting in the dysfunction of society. A theif who feels they don’t need to pay for goods causes prices and taxes to increase for consumers who don’t steal so the corporation is going to take every opportunity to recover at least a portion if not all of the financial loss.
  2. Jealousy/Envy: People have a tendency to do unjust things when feeling jealous or envious of others. Often we go into a zone causing emotional rage which leads to making harmful decisions. Next comes our actions that can be harmful to ourselves and those around us, leading to a chain reaction of dysfunction ( I’ve experienced this on a few occasions with who I thought were “friends”).
  3. Family Foundations: There are those who unfortunately for various reasons don’t start their lives with a solid foundation. Those foundations begin with family. Many families are very dysfunctional. Some menbers experience neglect or abuse. The abuse can range from sexual, physical and sometimes verbal. If all a child hears is negativity or put downs, that child will most likely began to think negatively about themselves and behave in a similar fashion. Children mock what they see and hear; therefore the cycle continues over the generations. It’s unfortunate that many families don’t even sit down for dinner together to communicate and build, causing yet another breakdown beginning at an early age.
  4. Fear: Fear exists in many forms. To experience fear is not only being afraid of a “monster” (spouse, police, parent, etc.) but the circumstances and situations that cause inner fear. A form of anxiety perhaps, which can come from uncertainties such as when people are not quite sure what is expected of them by society. Sociologists refer to this as anomie, relating the concept to the main cause of suicide. The feeling of being adrift in society with out any clear or secure mooring. This form of fear is much more intense when it comes by way of family or peers. Feeling as though you don’t fit in or belong can be a fear that again causes one to make bad choices eventually contributing to a breakdown. Low self-esteem as a result of this can begin a chain reaction to a host of other issues making it difficult to contribute anything good to society.
  5. Greed: An indicator that is often not acknowledged. No one wants to be labeled or viewed as a greedy person. Secretly there are those who want everything all to themselves. The problem is, those individuals don’t want to put in the time and work to earn the prize. People who constantly take from society without offering anything in return usually don’t recognize how their actions affect society as a whole.
  6. Lack of Leadership Skills: There are those who are followers. For various reasons unable to choose not to make their own decisions. Instead they go along with the crowd (normally friends or the majority), ignoring their conscience telling them not to do what they’re thinking. Not having leadership skills shows that a person is not thinking or using their own mind. The mind is powerful and when we don’t exercise it in the right way it begins to not function properly.
  7. Pessimism: Attitude is everything, especially a negative one. It can make or break a business or home. Many people walk around mad at the world taking their problems and issues out on others instaed of owning up and taking accountability for their part in the destruction that occured. As human beings most people don’t want to be in the company of those who continue to think negatively or have sour attitudes. As the saying goes, “it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch”. As far as society goes, this form of negativity causes friction, breaking down society a little at a time.
  8. Racism/Prejudice: Which there are many forms. Not generally speaking “black and white”, the reality is that everyone has experienced this to some degree. For instance, skateborders don’t care for bikers. Nerds have their issues with jocks. While this behavoir does not directly contribute to the breakdown of society, it most certainly causes a gap in unity. Even with Democrats verses Republicans , many things in these times are indeed political: however, we still have to live on this earth together as a unit for survival. Unfortunately, segregation still exists in one way or another.

Would love to hear any brief ideas on this. My goal is to live in harmony and embrace one another!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

25 thoughts on “Social Disintegration of Society (In the Present) Through the Eyes of Emile Durkheim”

  1. Excellent post!

    There was a time when regardless of background, most people held the same “general” core values. But we’ve strayed away from those values for the reasons you listed, and we’re not only failing ourselves, but also future generations.

    This is not the future I dreamed of when I was a kid.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Thank you so much for commenting. This is one of many topic’s I continue to think about, wondering what the future holds for not only my g-son’s, but other generations as well. I simply am curious to see who else has thought about this. Blessings my dear.

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  2. Pingback: Social Disintegration of Society (In the Present) Through the Eyes of Emile Durkheim – Tonya LaLonde

  3. Yep Tammy, our core value system has been disintegrating for quite some time now. You named the “8 Deadly Sins” that compromise the body of our society, our culture, and our lives. Sadly we’ve seen this pattern of morality vs. immorality fight each other with strong conviction for a long time now, and although it seems like immorality is winning, that’s just an illusion. 🤔

    I think a strong revival, a revolution of our moral compass is planting its feet in a firm foundation that has been weakened by a sinister power that sank its diabolical paws in the body of our present moral compass. There’s a small rumbling of change happening and we need to pay attention to and embrace the future that’s in our hands and intended for the generations that follow. Good post girlfriend! 👍🏼😊✍🏼

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      3. Guuuurrrrlllll, now you have gone Cajun on me! I went to a Cajun restaurant a few days ago to pick up an order I’d been craving for months now. I got some shrimp and crawfish Étouffée. I got some gumbo, but it’s just not the same as the ones in New Orleans or homemade. I KNOW you put your foot in that!!! 😋 Enjoy girlfriend. Hugs!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I agree TW, and I think part of the dysfunction, which leads to the breakdown, is a forced moral compass.

    Hear me out…if I’m forced to believe, for example, that people shouldn’t steal as taught through religion, but I grow up in a situation where a parent is an addict and steals for drugs, or the other parent chooses to steal because of the circumstances, well, it seems that I may grow up to not believe in the premise. My religion tells me stealing is bad, but my home-life shows me it is necessary for a bunch of reasons.

    So, I think you’re right about what you’ve mentioned above. I do hope we’re leaning toward creating a system that works for everyone, but at the same time I’m thinking the entire system we’ve currently created has to implode.

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    1. Oh my dear, first I’ve been anxiously waiting to hear from you, lol. I totally agree. The list was actually 15 (religion/spirituality) was one & I’ll be the first to admit being guilty of a few of these. For me in many cases “ignorance is bliss” or was. I didn’t get the bigger picture thinking it wouldn’t effect my, at least not directly. Another topic I’ll be writing about soon. Now that I’m older I simply have a clearer perspective & core values are very important to me, but I totally get it girlfriend.

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      1. lol apologies for the delay lol

        And aha! (Forced) religion and spirituality can make everything a bit crazy.

        Core values are very important, no matter where they come from 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I believe in all of this, however, I do not think giving everyone the exact same moral compass is the answer either. That takes away the ability for the individual to properly handle and cope with their feelings. If you train people not to accept they have jealousy, when it pops up, they’re more likely to handle it in a way that is criminal, without realizing it’s criminal until after the deed has been done.

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      1. I like hearing both sides. But I also have lived a situation where someone else’s morality was piped into me from a young age. Their morality was based on their religious affiliations, one that I did not share. Somehow it got in there anyway, and without realizing it, I was living their morality subconsciously and it did nothing but cause me pain. The individual has a right to chose their own moral compass as long as the broad societal strokes are included (don’t murder other people, your rights are no more important than anyone else’s, etc). But training someone to think just like you makes for boring conversation indeed.

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