Concepts Of the B&L revised

How Concepts of B&L Connects to Family
Student’s Name:
Institution:
How Concepts of B&L Connects to Family
This paper focuses on Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann’s theory of social constructionism (1966). Berger and Luckmann’s theory (1966) suggests that reality is socially constructed. The paper looks into detail the concept of institutionalization as put forward by Berger and Luckmann. Throughout the paper, the concept of institutionalization is connected to family as a social structure.
The social constructionism theory (1966) proposes that reality is created and maintained by society. Through the concept of institutionalization, Berger and Luckmann argue that each newborn is introduced into a world where the rest have learned and have a strong idea of what reality is (1966). When this argument is connected to family, the family is structured in such a way that general knowledge is passed from older members of the family such as parents to young members which includes the children. The reality and patterns of acting are already established; hence they are shared among society. A newborn in a family is either taught or observes and learns how to act. This form of reality is passed on as other newborns are brought into the family.
Berger and Luckmann argue that each member of an institution maintain their respective institution. They refer to this as externalizing social reality and that it is a continuous process (1966). At the same time, the process of objectivation also takes place.

Objectivation involves the construction of a sense of objective reality (Berger & Luckmann, 1966). At the end of the two processes, objectivation and externalization, one is constructed as a social product. Being a social product means one has acquired social identity and knowledge based on his/her role in an institution. Throughout their lives, members of family perform specific roles in the family; this maintains the family as a social structure. Parents perform the role of providing food for the children in the family; this helps families maintain their structure instead of everyone splitting looking for their food. As each member of the family performs their specific roles, they acquire an identity. For example, when fathers provide food, shelter, and clothes, they acquire the identity of the head of the family.
Berger and Luckmann also introduce the idea of legitimation to institutionalization. They argue that through interpretation and remembering, institutions are given meaning. In most cases, individuals always do what they are expected to do (1966). The aim of legitimating institutions is to avoid chaos (Little, 2012). In everyday life, each member of the family is expected to perform their roles. The father is expected to provide a means to pay for expenses, the mother is expected to help with the household chores and children are expected to perform simpler roles for the family. All these give importance to the family as a social structure. Performing roles, for family members, also gives meaning to their existence, avoiding a situation where family members feel meaningless.
Berger and Luckmann, in their theory of social constructionism (1966), propose that the reality of an individual’s everyday life is shared with others. There is always continuous social interaction. In their everyday life, family members interact with each other. Through spending time together and sharing meals, family members share their reality (Little, 2012).
Berger and Luckmann argue that since reality is constructed by society, then realities differ from one society to another. What is real in one society may not be real in another (Singh, 2016). Considering family as a social structure, roles of each member of the family may differ from one society to another. In some cases, families are headed by mothers in matriarchal societies compared to fathers in patriarchal societies.
Berger and Luckmann also introduce the concept of habitualization to institutionalization. They argue that habitualization is realized when actions are frequently repeated forming a pattern. Habitualization is the origin of institutions (Berger & Luckmann, 1966). When members of families grow old, they always tend to grow apart; others get married and start their own families while others develop their careers. However, in most cases, they gather during certain holidays. The gathering at certain times forms a habit among the family members and since the family members invite their own families, it forms a larger family representing the origin of an institution (University of Pretoria, 2015).
According to Berger and Luckmann’s theory of social constructionism (1966), the conduct of various members of an institution is specified. People belonging to an institution are expected to conduct themselves in a certain way. There is a connection to the structure of a family. Members of the family are expected to conduct themselves in a certain manner. For example, children are expected to be respectful to their parents. This code of conduct is what helps to keep the family together and also creates the sense of family.
Throughout the paper, a connection between the concept of institutionalization, as put forward by Berger and Luckmann, and family has been established. The concept of institutionalization was used to explain that reality in society is only constructed. This concept connects to the structure of a family. Connections are evident in aspects such as the performance of roles, code of conduct, the connection of individual experiences among all members of society and formation of habits among members of an institution and family.

References
Berger, P., & Luckmann, T. (1966). The social construction of reality. London: Penguin Books.
Little, D. (2012). Sociology of knowledge: Berger. Understandingsociety.blogspot.co.ke. Retrieved 15 February 2018, from https://understandingsociety.blogspot.co.ke/2012/02/sociology-of-knowledge-berger.htmlSingh, S. (2016). A review of “The Social Construction of Reality– by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann”. LinkedIn. Retrieved 15 February 2018, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/review-social-construction-reality-peter-l-berger-kumar-singhUniversity of Pretoria. A brief explanation of the Berger and Luckmann’s theory. (2018). Repository.up.ac.za. Retrieved 15 February 2018, from https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/28558/03chapter2.pdf