Societal Constraints on Human Freedom

This essay critically examines the extent to which societal constraints impact human freedom. It argues that from education and career choices to marriage and family life, individuals are constantly shaped by social pressures and expectations, ultimately hindering their ability to make truly autonomous decisions. The essay delves into various aspects of life where these constraints are evident, concluding that despite societal progress, humans remain subject to the often-unseen limitations imposed by social norms.

Running head: AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL CONDITIONS
An Analysis of Societal Conditions
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL CONDITIONS
Society is defined as a collective class of people bounded by certain societal relations.
The people are characterized in having shared similarities in culture, languages, topography,
religious affiliation and in the way of life (Hall, 2013).
The essay outlines the fact to demonstrate social knowledge to reach upon an
effective conclusion on the highly debated topic that whether human beings are autonomous
free agents or are they conditioned and constrained by society.
A discussion about the various types of constraints placed by society upon the lives of
humans to stop them from being free autonomous agents has been explored in this essay to
highlight the subject of this debated issue (Gelfand, 2012).
In sociology, society is studied based on comparison and differentiation. From time
immemorial, sociologists have categorized societies as first world, second world and third
world based on living standards, modernization and per capita income. The modern concepts
of sociology further categorizes society into post- industrial society, capitalist society,
industrial society, knowledge society and many other such categorizations (Thompson,
Hickey & Thompson, 2016).
Human beings are considered the most civilized unit residing in a society. In a
society, humans live in close harmony and partnership with the other flora and fauna.
Humans have come a long way from learning to lit fire to sending space missions in the
universe. Undoubtedly, with this, humans have shown that almost nothing is unachievable
through their industrious nature. Human beings definitely have the skills of courteous
manners, quick rationale, the ability to quickly evolve and execute a plan, inculcate
interesting hobbies and many more, but they are not free autonomous agents. They do not

2AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL CONDITIONS
possess the complete liberty to do anything they want. In that case, a wild animal or a bird is
freer than a human is. No wonder how much the world becomes an ideal place to live, there
will always be certain constraints imposed by the society (Urry, 2012).
In a way, human beings can be said to be the sweet puppets of society. From birth,
human beings are subjected to the process of social conditioning. Little children are taught by
their parents and their teachers as to what is socially acceptable and what is socially
unacceptable. Children are expected to conduct their behavioral norms in accordance with the
social norms. They are expected to attend and complete their school terms, college terms and
even they opt for higher studies through the qualification of the required examination papers.
It would be terribly unacceptable if they fail to follow the above course of life. Society would
shun any non-followers and would brand them as social outcasts. It really does not matter
whether the child has any other dreams or does not want to pursue the conventional
educational course by heart. Society does not care and never delays to impose the constraints.
After that, it becomes the sole objective in the life of a child, as he or she grows up. Society
would not accept a wayward life. Therefore, it can be said that humans are not autonomous
free agents but they are conditioned and constrained by society (Archer, 2013).
After the completion of the educational phase, humans enter the professional phase. In
the professional phase, they are again constrained by the society to conduct their work life in
accordance with the organizational policies. Failure to do so would seriously jeopardize the
career of an individual. In addition to this, an individual is expected to have a career.
Unfortunately, the social status of a person depends upon acquired financial possession,
which can be only be done by earning an income through honest means. This is the undefined
rule of the society. Unlike animals, if a person just passes his life without doing anything
substantial, then it becomes socially unacceptable. According to the societal norms, a person
must be educationally qualified and must find an occupation where he or she can utilize the

3AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL CONDITIONS
earned knowledge. A person not having a planned professional life earns nothing but
disrespect. Therefore, it can be said that humans are not autonomous free agents but they are
conditioned and constrained by society (Treiman, 2013).
Simultaneously, with the constraint in the educational and professional course of life,
human beings are also bounded by society to marry and have a family. A person who refuses
to conform to the connubial norms of the society is not looked favorably in a society. The
institution of marriage no doubt helps to stabilize the society and create a proper system of
propinquity. It also places certain restrictions on the lives of both men and women, especially
of women, in a subtle way. Unlike animals, human beings after being wedded are expected to
live and behave in a certain societal manner. Moreover, it is always been the accepted norm
that when two humans get married, they should live a happy life with shared responsibilities
in finances, housekeeping, parenting of children, marital duties and others. Society does not
sympathize with the victims of broken marriage or relationship. Therefore, it can be said that
humans are not autonomous free agents but they are conditioned and constrained by society
(Beach & Fincham, 2013).
Thereby, from the discussion attempted in the above analysis, it can be concluded that
society constantly places constraints at every step in the life of a human being to make them
social puppets. No matter the level of advancement, that takes place in a society, these
societal constraints would not go away from the lives of humans. Externally, it might seem
that humans enjoy a perfect life of roses in the 21st century. Nonetheless, when inspection is
done closely, it becomes evident that in reality, human society is a life full of painful thorns.
Society is made up by humans. It can then be said that humans themselves are intolerant of

4AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL CONDITIONS
other humans. Under the disguise of society, they place certain constraints on the lives of
their fellow humans and cease them from being autonomous free agents.

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REFERENCES
Archer, M. S. (2013). Social origins of educational systems. Routledge.
Beach, S. R., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). Toward an integrated model of negative affectivity in
marriage. The Heart Of The Matter: Perspectives On Emotion In Marital:
Perspectives On Emotion In Marital Therapy, 227.
Gelfand, M. J. (2012). Culture’s constraints: International differences in the strength of social
norms. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21(6), 420-424.
Hall, J. R. (Ed.). (2013). Civil society: Theory, history, comparison. John Wiley & Sons.
Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V., & Thompson, M. L. (2016). Society in focus: An
introduction to sociology. Rowman & Littlefield.
Treiman, D. J. (2013). Occupational prestige in comparative perspective. Elsevier.
Urry, J. (2012). Sociology beyond societies: Mobilities for the twenty-first century.
Routledge.