In sociology, institutionalisation (or institutionalization) is the process of embedding some conception (for example a belief, norm, social role, particular value or mode of behavior) within an organization, social system, or society as a whole. The term may also be used to refer to committing a particular individual or group to an institution, such as a mental or welfare institution. The term may also be used in a political sense to apply to the creation or organization of governmental institutions or particular bodies responsible for overseeing or implementing policy, for example in welfare or development. During the period of the industrial revolution in Europe many countries went through a period of "institutionalization", which saw a large expansion and development of the role of government within society, particularly into areas seen previously as the private sphere. Institutionalization is also seen as an important part of the process of modernization in developing countries, involving again the expansion and improved organization of government structures.
Historyedit
During the period from 1850 to 1930 many types of institutions were created by public subscription, Parliament and local authorities to provide housing, healthcare, education, and financial support for individuals in need. At the upper end of the scale, public boarding schools such as Eton and Harrow were founded or greatly extended to meet the growing demand for the education of the children of those in colonial service overseas. These were seen as models of social improvement, and many inferior imitations followed for the lower social orders. Virtually every borough in the UK was required by legislation to make provision for paupers, homeless, released prisoners, convicted criminals, orphans, disabled war veterans, older people with no means of support, deaf and blind schools, schools and colonies for those with learning disabilities or mental health problems.
Distinguishing features of such institutions were frequently, but not exclusively:[1]
communal dormitories
communal kitchens and dining facilities
rural, isolated locations
restrictions on personal liberty and possessions
uniforms
oppressive, authoritarian regimes
strict systems of rules and codes of conduct
boards of visitors or trustees, usually drawn from the ranks of the upper middle classes, the so-called "great and good"
hierarchical systems of management
compulsory religious attendance
involvement of inmates as unpaid or poorly rewarded labour in return for small privileges
excessive reliance on medication and physical restraints
Many of these organisations, whilst originally expressing idealistic aspirations and aims, became "total" institutions within a generation or two of their foundation, providing in some cases cradle-to-grave housing, occupation and social control. Founding charters usually proclaimed beneficial outcomes of "reform" (or rehabilitation) of character through moral and occupation education and discipline, but in practice inmates were often trapped in a system that provided no obvious route of escape or promotion. As late as the 1950s, in Britain, several hundred thousand people lived in Victorian asylums and "colonies".
Referencesedit
^Ervin Goffman, Characteristics of Total Institutions 2021-04-15 at the Wayback Machine
institutionalisation, mental, health, concept, commitment, mental, health, other, uses, institutionalization, disambiguation, this, article, possibly, contains, original, research, please, improve, verifying, claims, made, adding, inline, citations, statements. For the mental health concept see Commitment mental health For other uses see Institutionalization disambiguation This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed November 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message In sociology institutionalisation or institutionalization is the process of embedding some conception for example a belief norm social role particular value or mode of behavior within an organization social system or society as a whole The term may also be used to refer to committing a particular individual or group to an institution such as a mental or welfare institution The term may also be used in a political sense to apply to the creation or organization of governmental institutions or particular bodies responsible for overseeing or implementing policy for example in welfare or development During the period of the industrial revolution in Europe many countries went through a period of institutionalization which saw a large expansion and development of the role of government within society particularly into areas seen previously as the private sphere Institutionalization is also seen as an important part of the process of modernization in developing countries involving again the expansion and improved organization of government structures History editDuring the period from 1850 to 1930 many types of institutions were created by public subscription Parliament and local authorities to provide housing healthcare education and financial support for individuals in need At the upper end of the scale public boarding schools such as Eton and Harrow were founded or greatly extended to meet the growing demand for the education of the children of those in colonial service overseas These were seen as models of social improvement and many inferior imitations followed for the lower social orders Virtually every borough in the UK was required by legislation to make provision for paupers homeless released prisoners convicted criminals orphans disabled war veterans older people with no means of support deaf and blind schools schools and colonies for those with learning disabilities or mental health problems Distinguishing features of such institutions were frequently but not exclusively 1 communal dormitories communal kitchens and dining facilities rural isolated locations restrictions on personal liberty and possessions uniforms oppressive authoritarian regimes strict systems of rules and codes of conduct boards of visitors or trustees usually drawn from the ranks of the upper middle classes the so called great and good hierarchical systems of management compulsory religious attendance involvement of inmates as unpaid or poorly rewarded labour in return for small privileges widespread abuse of human rights dignity rigid separation of the sexes excessive reliance on medication and physical restraintsMany of these organisations whilst originally expressing idealistic aspirations and aims became total institutions within a generation or two of their foundation providing in some cases cradle to grave housing occupation and social control Founding charters usually proclaimed beneficial outcomes of reform or rehabilitation of character through moral and occupation education and discipline but in practice inmates were often trapped in a system that provided no obvious route of escape or promotion As late as the 1950s in Britain several hundred thousand people lived in Victorian asylums and colonies References edit Ervin Goffman Characteristics of Total Institutions Archived 2021 04 15 at the Wayback MachineSee also editDeinstitutionalisation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Institutionalisation amp oldid 1195648792, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
