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Need for Social Control

Social solidarity is essential for the existence of society.No two persons is alike in their na-ture, ideas, attitudes and interests. Every individual is a separate personality. There are cul-tural differences among the individuals. As a matter of fact society is a heterogeneous or-ganization. If every individual is allowed unrestricted freedom to act and behave, it may cre-ate social disorder. For an orderly social life social control is necessary. The aims of social control are to bring out conformity, solidarity and continuity of a particular group or society.

Social control is necessary for maintaining order in the society. It is necessary for every soci-ety or group to maintain its social order and this is possible only when its members behave in accordance with that social order. An important objective of social control is to maintain the old order. Although enforcement of the old order in a changing society may hinder so-cial progress, yet it is necessary to maintain continuity and uniformity in society.

Without social control social unity would be a mere dream. Social control regulates behavior in accordance with established norms which brings uniformity of behavior and leads to unity among the individuals. The family maintains its unity because its members behave in a simi-lar manner in accordance with family norms.

No two men are alike in their attitudes, ideas, interests and habits. Even the children of same parents do not have the same attitudes, habits or interests. Men believe in different religions, dress, eat differently and have different ideologies. There are so many differences in the ways of living of the people that at every moment there is the possibility of clash be-tween them. In modern times this possibility has all the more increased because man has become too self-centred.Social control is necessary to protect social interests and satisfy common needs. If social control is removed and every individual is left to behave freely so-ciety would be reduced to a state of lawlessness.