Social integration plays a primary role in shaping and influencing people’s behaviors. It is defined as the degree to which individuals feel connected to different groups or persons in the community (Appau et al., 2019). Emile Durkheim, one of the most significant sociology founders, believed that society is essential because it exerts a force on people. The beliefs, values, and norms referred to as a shared manner of behaving and understanding or collective consciousness connect people and establish social integration (Uchino et al., 2018). Additionally, they explain society’s existence and help individuals understand each other’s social beings and behavior. People in the community have different identities, personalities, and morals. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the impact of social interaction on an individual’s morals.
Social integration might affect people’s morals positively or adversely. The reason is that people’s behaviors are influenced by the groups they relate to (Uchino et al., 2018). This transforms the whole crowd’s morals and thinking eventually. For example, I was brought up in the Caribbean, where most individuals live through tourism. Some of my friends were adversely affected by sea life activities and engaged in drug and substance abuse behaviors. However, we established a group of young people between 12 and 30 years who collect shells from the sea, make beautiful necklaces, and sell them to the tourists. We use these funds to visit different orphanages once a month to take necessities such as foodstuffs and clothes to the children. Additionally, I decided to join one of the churches and become an active member. I have been in different groups, and I am currently in the youth service devoted to helping the elderly and people living with disabilities in the community. This group consists of various professionals such as healthcare providers and lawyers who visit the less fortunate thrice a month to enhance their well-being. Moreover, we have set aside one day a week to clean various areas in our society. These groups have helped me maintain good morals because I am surrounded by people who focus on improving the community’s status. I have determined the essentiality of teamwork and having goals and objectives in life. This is because these interactions have increased the ties of people in the community.
Having a productive society requires people to invest their capabilities and efforts in different activities. For example, Uchino et al. (2018) explain that individuals should understand their norms, beliefs, values, and deviating consequences. My community highly values discipline; therefore, the lawbreakers are reported to the relevant authorities. This has played a crucial role in aligning their behaviors and promoting the community’s peace and wellbeing. As a result, the number of criminal cases has significantly been minimized because people have engaged in beneficial activities. Appau et al. (2019) explain that social interaction ensures that people maintain their identity and remain focused. For example, being in the youth group has helped young people to become productive and minimize the chances of being involved in criminal activities.
In conclusion, Durkheim believed that social integration is essential because it binds people together and influences their morals. Additionally, it promotes peace because individuals understand the consequences of deviating from the collective consciousness. In addition, this interaction helps people to keep focus and concentrate on ideas that benefit the community. However, it might adversely affect the individuals’ morals if they join groups that are not morally upright.
References
Appau, S., Churchill, S. A., & Farrell, L. (2019). Social integration and subjective wellbeing.Applied Economics, 51(16), 1748-1761. Web.
Huang, Y., Edwards, J., & Laurel-Wilson, M. (2020). The shadow of context: Neighborhood and school socioeconomic disadvantage, perceived social integration, and adolescents’ mental and behavioral health. Health & Place, 66, 102425. Web.
Uchino, B. N., Trettevik, R., Kent de Grey, R. G., Cronan, S., Hogan, J., & Baucom, B. R. (2018). Social support, social integration, and inflammatory cytokines: A meta-analysis.Health Psychology, 37(5), 462. Web.