Secularization & Individualization

Running head: SECULARIZATION & INDIVIDUALIZATION
SECULARIZATION & INDIVIDUALIZATION
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SECULARIZATION & INDIVIDUALIZATION
Literature review:
The term modernity as it was used in the classical sociological theory has its meaning and
significance rooted in the social change that occurred in Europe in the latter half of the 19th
century. It was precisely the changes that took place in the field of art, literature, technology and
politics. Although there are no specific dates that mark the postmodern era, it is significantly
known to be the changes since WWII. There have been several changes in different aspects of
society and the daily life of social being since postmodernity. Secularization and
individualization are two of the processes are modernization.
According to Sørensen and Christiansen (2014), individualization is a term that is
‘compulsory’ rather than being about genuine personal freedom. It is an integral part of self-hood
which is associated with the neoliberal order and disorder. The concept of individualism has
risen as a feature of modernity after the industrialization. According to Ulrich Beck, individuals
are compelled in this era to make agonistic choices throughout their life-course, and they are
needed to take sole responsibility for the consequences that come from the decisions they make
and the things they chose not to do. The phenomenon of individualism is a contradictory
phenomenon that is both exhilarating as well as terrifying. It is undoubtedly a feeling of freedom,
specifically for women. The phenomenon is especially for women, for it gives freedom from the
patriarchal control. However, even though it is seen to have a positive environment where people
have less interference in their lives from the other people f the society, it certainly lives people
solely blamed for the work they do and are penalized for it too (CAetAno 2014).
According to Mythen (2013), Beck has posited the second modernity with two types of
faith: one is a closed hierarchical system that is based on intractable principles, and another one