Growth and Development of Metropolises: impact on mental and social lives of people
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Sociology Paper -2
Unit 3 : Social Change in India : Industrialization and Urbanisation in India
Growth and Development of Metropolises: impact on mental and social lives of people
The growth and development of metropolises in India have significant impacts on the mental and social lives of people. Metropolises are characterized by rapid urbanization, increased economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, and diverse social interactions.
Multidimensional Analysis of Growth of Metropolis on Social and Mental Life:
Functional Aspect:
- Secular Mobility: Metropolises attract a large number of job seekers from rural areas and smaller towns due to the availability of diverse job opportunities in various sectors. it provides them secular mobility . This influx of people seeking employment can positively impact individuals’ economic well-being, enhancing their sense of financial security and overall life chances and life satisfaction.
- Cultural Diversity and Exposure: Metropolises are often melting pots of cultures, languages, and traditions. This exposure to diverse perspectives can broaden people’s horizons, promote tolerance, and foster a more open-minded outlook. it hastens the phenomenon of westernisation and modernisation . Amalgamation of little and great tradition takes place. Srinivas highlighted that urbanization in India doesn’t necessarily lead to the complete abandonment of traditional values and practices.
- Instead, urban areas often witness a fusion of modern and traditional elements, impacting people’s mental and social lives by creating hybrid cultural identities.
- Access to Education and Healthcare: Metropolises usually have better educational institutions and healthcare facilities, allowing residents to access quality education and medical services. This can lead to better physical and mental health outcomes and improved overall quality of life.
- Family And Kinship Ties: Importance fictive kinship ties increases in urban areas. Families become more democratic in decision making. Women have opportunities to participate in instrumental role, easy access to education and job opportunities.
- Increased Access To Leisure Activities And Recreational Activities: urban areas have parks, malls, culture of party and social gatherings , stadiums etc. which provides enhanced access to leisure and recreational activities.
- Solace Based on Religious Revivalism: urban areas have been places where sects and cult increases due to highly mobile life. These sects and cults provides solace, social capital and identity to an alienated urban person.
Dysfunctional Aspects
- Alienation and identity crisis: Andre Beteille’s work explores the tensions between tradition and modernity in India’s urban areas. He discussed how urbanization can disrupt traditional social hierarchies and norms, leading to changes in family structures, social roles, and values. Beteille’s insights suggest that the transition from rural to urban life can be challenging.
- Change In Size And Nature Of Family: families become nuclearized, inward looking and transforms into runaway world.
- Stress and Mental Health Challenges: Rapid urbanization and the fast-paced lifestyle in metropolises can lead to increased stress levels and mental health issues. The pressure to succeed, long commutes, and limited personal space can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
- Yogendra Singh emphasized that urbanization can lead to a shift from collectivist rural societies to individualistic urban societies. This shift can impact mental well-being by altering social support systems and creating a sense of alienation in the urban environment.
- Social Isolation: Despite the large population, individuals in metropolises can experience social isolation due to the transient nature of relationships, busy schedules, and lack of a strong sense of community. This can negatively impact mental well-being and lead to feelings of loneliness.
- Traffic Congestion and Pollution: Metropolises often suffer from traffic congestion and air pollution, which can contribute to physical health issues and also impact mental health. Poor air quality and constant exposure to noise and traffic jams can increase stress levels and decrease overall life satisfaction. S. GHURYE has highlighted these issues earlier also calls for urban planners to tackle these issues.
- High Cost of Living: While metropolises offer economic opportunities, they also come with a higher cost of living, including housing, transportation, and basic amenities. Financial stress caused by the high cost of living can negatively affect mental health and lead to anxiety about financial stab
- Growing Inequality: The rapid development of metropolises can sometimes exacerbate income inequality. The stark contrast between wealthy neighbourhoods and slums can lead to feelings of social unrest, resentment, and an overall sense of injustice.
- Dhanagare argued that urbanization can exacerbate social inequalities and create a fragmented sense of community. This fragmentation can impact people’s social interactions and mental well-being, as they may struggle to find a sense of belonging and connection.
- Cultural Erosion: As traditional lifestyles and values encounter urbanization and globalization, there can be a dilution of cultural heritage and social norms. This cultural erosion might lead to identity crises and a sense of disconnectedness among individuals.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
GS Related Practices Questions…
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