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INDEX
Abstract:
Autonomy stands out to be a critical issue of participation. Participation itself is a matter of
organizational strength and activism. Peasant communities in a vast rural terrain may well be
qualified as the 'typical pre-modern sectors' with longstanding institutional stereotypes that
account much for unorganizability of the rural women. Now the broad spectrum of women
organization in cosmopolitan urban communities prop up feminism as a 'neo-social
movement'. Autonomy of women is the creed of progressive movements spearheaded by
urban feminists. The rural women are beginning to feel the impacts of such movement. This
is a challenge to patriarchal super-ordination somewhat reflecting 'ideological convergence'
of nascent feminism in peasant communities.
In the backdrop of such development it remains to address the dimension of autonomy so far
as rural women are concerned. Arguably peasants still nourish conservative attitudes to folk
women. Structural and symbolic violence originating from custom, scriptures and pre-
existing values tend to undermine women's autonomous status at home and outside the
residential locus. More, the process of rural development has led to the feminization of
poverty. Escalating poverty has turned most rural women into a 'fragile locus' vulnerable to
exclusion and social ostracism. The poor women, being breadwinners have increased their
mobility moving out of the residence in search of employment.
The emerging civil societies and change catalysts come forward to join feminist movement.
They attempt to enable the rural women to rationally perceive secular-sacred continuum and
the myths of feudal ethics curbing their autonomy. The beneficiaries are becoming aware of
their due shares in benefits and in public sphere and the adverse effects of community laws
and sanctions relating to marriage, inheritance, property, separation, divorce and
maintenance.
Introduction:
In peasant communities longstanding relationship of dependence is a pervasive phenomenon
constraining any impulses toward self development. Typically pre-modern such communities
with underlying structures of dominance reveal an overwhelming tendency towards the
maintenance and reinforcement of traditional privileges and prerogatives. This is no doubt
anti-developmental and parochial with inherent structural contradictions.
More, the preponderance of stereotyped social institutions prevent social mobilization,
collective action and broad-based participation. Predominant norms and values of peasant
society provide much room for discrimination against the disadvantaged group. The rural
women continue to be the 'disadvantaged lot' in the presence of dominant political process-
we mean patriarchal superordination. "Women's position is institutionalized through the
customs of marriage, traditional family structure, conventional relationship of dependence
and the system of inheritance" (Mashreque and Amin 1993:86).
For arbitrary reasons leading to the exploitation of women in backward areas there has been
public debate over the concept of female autonomy institutionally entrenched in
constitutional provisions, laws and ordinances. Autonomy of women is a rallying cry of the
feminist movement. It has cropped up in recent years as a 'neo-social movement' with
reassured ideological commitment.

Causes of Social change:

1. Biological Factor:

Among the biological factors is the qualitative aspect of the

population related to heredity. The qualitative aspect of population
is based upon powerful and great men and their birth is dependent
to large extent, upon heredity and mutation.
The biological principles of natural selection and struggle for survival are constantly
producing alternations in society.

2. Environmental Factor:

Huntington says, “An alternation in the climate is the sole cause of the evolution and
devolution civilizations and cultures.” Excessive rain, floods, earthquakes, drought and
changes of season etc. have significant effect upon social relationship and these are
modified by such natural occurrences. Thus, there is great impact of geographical
environment upon human society.
 3. Technological Factors:

Ogburn says, “Technology changes society by changing our environments to which we

in turn adapt. This change is usually in the customs and social institutions.” The form
of society is undergoing change as a result of the development and invention of
electric. Steam and petrol driven machines for production, the means of transport and
communication and various mechanical appliances in everyday life. In the modern age
technological factors are among the predominant cause of social change.

4. Psychological Factors:
Psychological factors are regarded as important elements in social change. The cause
of social change is the Psychology of man himself. Change is the law of life. Man is by
nature a lover of change. He is always trying to discover new things in every sphere of
his life and is always anxious for novel experiences.

5. Population Factors :
Increase or decrease in the population has an immediate effect upon economic
institutions and associations. Changes in the quality and size of the population have an
effect upon the social organization as well as customs and traditions etc. The birth and
death rates also influence social change.

Aspect of changes in rural society in Bangladesh

In the process of social changes in the post-independence Bangladesh, the following changes are
identified. Such changes actually indicate the width and depth of the process.

Rural power structure

Among older persons toward living alone or only with their spouses, and recently there
is growing preference for separate residence in some developing countries as well. While
over 70 percent of older persons in developing regions are living with child or
grandchild. In European countries, by contrast, the average is around 25 percent only.
The roles and functions of family have the rural power structure of Bangladesh has been
shifted from traditional to institutional aspect. Generally, traditional power structure in
rural society in Bangladesh consisted of samaj, gushti and shalish (Khan, 2013). The
concept gushti represents clan type social structure built around common lineage
background and the concept samaj represents the feeling of community bond. The third
one shalish refers to village arbitration (Khan, 2013). In regards of social conflict in rural
Bangladesh, the role of gushti was important in the past particularly, in the process of
mobilization against the opponents. It means gushti as a feeling used to help build a
cohesive group (Khan, 2013). But the cohesion of the entity of gushti has weakened at
present because of individualism, the incorporation of market principle or the
intensification of social inequality (Khan, 2013). Similarly, the idea of samaj has also
weakened owing to class differentiation in rural society (Khan, 2013). On the other hand
shalish institution is now controlled by the elected leaders of the local bodies instead of
the traditional elders or samaj leaders (Lewis, 2012). The local self-government has
changed the role of traditional shalish and replaced it with more legitimate and
accountable system.

Market economy and globalization

Market economy and globalization has an enormous impact on the rural society in
Bangladesh. Social relations are accordingly shaped (Khan, 2013). Relations of trust,
mutual support or moral obligation common in pre-capitalistic society gives in to
contractual and profit oriented relations of market economy when capitalistic
development takes place it imparts significant changing influences on the entire body of
the society (Khan, 2013). Globalization is a much talked about phenomenon in
contemporary time in relation to social change. It has created opportunities as well as
threat in the economic realm. Opportunities are found in the establishment of new
business which in turn created employment and subsequent reduction of poverty (Khan,
2013). Significant expansion of the readymade garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh is
seen as the positive effect of globalization process. Globalization speeded up capitalistic
development in Bangladesh which started since the colonial time. It has integrated
various economies, paved internationalization of production, distribution and marketing
of goods (Harris 1993). Globalization presupposes structural readjustment spearheaded
by the international financial organization like the World Bank. As a sequel to it public
sector was squeezed and the private sector got expanded, it resulted in workers
retrenchment in Bangladesh. The jute factories were common victims of such
readjustment (Khan, 2013). Liberalizing of tariff structure also exposed the local
products to competition from abroad. If the purchasing power of the Bangladeshi people
keep rising the function of the corporate finance will also expand in Bangladesh.

Modernization instead of traditional and local convention

Another important macro feature of change is the initiative aiming modernization and
westernization. In the 1960’s in all over the developing countries, modernization was an
important campaign (Khan, 2013). So called ‘traditional’ institutions were portrayed as
inhibiting factor towards the journey of social progress. West was seen as ‘modern’ and
replicating western institution and attitude became a strategy for societal progress.
Westernization refers to cultural aspect which involved life style also. It was a wide
ranging phenomena including food, dress, music and behavior (Khan, 2013). Western
countries were symbolized as standard bearer of culture and a section of the people were
eager to replicate that style. Westernization is still continuing in the country although
modernization has faced criticism because of the fact that the replicated institutions
could not operate well always (Khan, 2013). In Bangladesh, rural society has changed a
lot because of the effect of modernization. The way of communication, life style, mode
of festival as well as the beliefs system of rural people has shifted from traditional
pattern to modern pattern.

Democracy and democratization

In the changing process of a society, the function of politics is important as it is the
ultimately agent of change in a society. Democracy worked as a milestone in the society
of Bangladesh. Since the colonial period in British-India, the process of democratization
started and made a democratic orientation in the mind of rural people. Subsequently, in
the Pakistani internal colonial period, the people of the then East Pakistan fight for self-
determination and political rights which lead them ultimately to a freedom struggle.
After independence, the implications of military rule in Bangladesh may be found
indifferent aspects. However the restoration of democracy has created another problem
in relation to transfer of power between the successive regimes at the end of each five
year. Consequent violence significantly affects the peaceful situation in society with a
wide implication even reducing the effectiveness of democracy in public opinion.
Despite the above pitfall the preset process of democratization has allowed the function
of civil society and media which in turn contributed to the exercise of rights in society
(Khan, 2013). The people in rural society participate in the process of democracy. The
voter turnout in both local and national election has increased dramatically. It proves that
the rural society in Bangladesh has changed from traditional social values towards a
modern democratic process.

Economic condition
In the macro perspective of the society the economic institution is an important one since
it helps create enabling condition. In the early 1970’s immediately after the liberation the
country’s economic image was severely negative which has significantly changed over
the course of years. At present Bangladesh achieved a significant progress in respect of
economic progress. Country’s economic progress can be easily identified from the
reduction of the poverty level. For example 40% people was below poverty level in 2005
which reduced to 31.5% in 2010 (BBS, 2011). The creation of enabling condition
through economic progress has brought positive changes at other levels, such as health
and education (Khan, 2013). Bangladesh currently holds the middle income country
status based on its ongoing economic progress.
Gender relation and women’s empowerment in rural Bangladesh:
Patriarchal norms still shape the gender relations of the country to a significant extent.
However, it has encountered challenges both in urban and rural areas. It may be said that
in the post-independence Bangladesh the change in patriarchy based gender relation or
creating a balance in the gender relation is a remarkable achievement of the society. The
importance of such achievement can be understood further if we take into consideration
half of the population are women. Reducing patriarchal influence in gender relation
implies at least two consequences: social justice has been achieved; empowered women
are contributing to national reconstruction.

Entertainment:
Wide scale television network emerged through satellite and internet deserves attention
in the analysis of social change. Exposure to multiple cultures is a major effect of
satellite television network. In the process of acculturation the effect of television
programs is commonly endorsed. Such effect is not age specific although the
vulnerability of the children to cultural change through television is given attention. We
would quote here the findings of micro-level study to understand the nature of such
effect. The behavioral aspects on which it reported effect include among others,
becoming fashion aware, developing inclination for fast food, developing liking for
foreign music and manner (Robaka and Abdullah, 2012). However the same study
reported limited effect of internet on the users. But the effect of internet particularly the
social network on social interaction and relationship is given much attention, however
the nature of direction is yet to be clear. The exchange of information by virtue of
internet has increased which has made contribution to the formation of public opinion
particularly notable in the recent youth upsurge at Shahbag (Khan, 2013).

Politics and culture

As a part of acculturation process cultural integration is an expected outcome. However,
with the effect of globalization and religious politicization certain type of acculturation
and cultural intrusion may be noted in Bangladesh. For example, the pressure of Hindi
on local culture is portrayed as an effect of globalization. Similarly the syncretism in
Bengali culture is pushed aside in favor of religious feeling. Interestingly such pressures
did not function unilaterally and the relevant observation of an expatriate commentator
has also voiced similar tone, it is said that there has been a continuous tension between
secular and religious forces in Bangladesh (Lewis, 2012). On the other hand the site of
culture has demonstrated its resilience by sticking to traditional Bengali practices,
particularly in the observation of national festival in the fashion of Bengali culture (e.g.,
pahela baishak).

Family system
Family, the basic unit of society, all over the world has been undergoing many
fundamental changes and profound transformation due to comprehensive socio-
economic development and technological advancement. It is significant in this
connection that both in developed and developing countries including Bangladesh, the
average family size has decreased; young people are getting married at a later age; the
average age of mothers at first birth has increased; infant mortality rates have declined
and couples are choosing children fewer in number. The rate of divorce has increased
accompanied by remarriage with many children living in a family with a stepparent
(Samad, 2015). Significant number of both single-parent families and single-person
households has emerged, including increasing number of older persons living alone. In
many cases traditional agrarian life-styles based extended family is being replaced by the
nuclear family. The whole process is simply considered as changes in families chiefly in
terms of structure and role of performance (Samad, 2015). Another important
development in regard to education of girls and participation of women in formal labor
force has markedly increased over the past half century. It has dramatically changed in
the structure of family and its role performance in socio-economic life in particular.
There is a general trend in developed countries a changed over time in accordance with
the changing pattern of family’s in Bangladesh. In this respect, it is seen that changing
family roles have caused to increase employment opportunities for the family members,
participation in decision-making, more enrolment in educational institutions, increased
awareness about health and nutrition etc. In respect of changing family functions, It
seems that the causes were expansion of educational activities, increased access to
employment, impact of science and technology, industrialization and urbanization,
increased social awareness and expectation of self-esteem among family members, etc.
(Salad, 2015). Many study findings revealed that because of changes in the functions of
family, some impacts and consequences were found in family life of the people of
Bangladesh. The positive impacts included economic prosperity and security, change in
food habit, increased participation of the women in education, employment and decision-
making process, peace and happiness among family members. The consequences were
lack of care of the children, complexity in family management, increased insecurity of
the dependent family members including the physically and intellectually challenged
persons. However, it is observed from the findings that due to expansion of education,
motivational role of mass media, religious values and beliefs, government and NGO
services, taking care of the aged and depended family members has increased (Samad,
2015).

Marriage in changing family pattern

Marriage is a social union or legal contract generally between a man and a woman that
creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate
and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or
subculture in which it is found. In Bangladesh, marriage is a civil contract between two
adult persons of opposite sexes for union, procreation and legalizing children (Khan,
1982). The average ages at marriage of the present and earlier generation families in
Bangladesh were found to be about 22 years and slightly more than 19 years
 respectively. While the average ages at marriage of the male and female members of
present generation families were found about 24 years and 20.10years which is more
than the mean age at first marriage in 2007 for male (23.40 years) and female (18.40
years) in Bangladesh (Ministry of Finance, 2008).
Both dowry and divorce are integral phenomena of marriage. As a custom, dowry has
been practicing since longtime by the people belonging to all religions in Bangladesh.
According to the study, supported by Nasrin (2011), the major reasons behind
increasing practice of dowry in Bangladesh are economic gain, achieving social
recognition and status, maintenance of family reputation and prestige, ensuring
daughters’ welfare and happiness, freedom of daughter from violence, ill-treatment and
verbal abuse by in-law family, enhancing husband’s command over in-laws, bargaining
power in family decisions, making any imperfection of bride or older girl acceptable,
poor law enforcement and lengthy court procedures as well as wrong perception
regarding dowry. On the other hand, on-fulfillment of dowry results in incidence of
physical and verbal abuse of wives, which is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh
while it puts the poor women in a helpless and vulnerable position violating their
human rights and dignity (Suran, et al., 2004; BNWLA, 2004). Dowry demands thus
continue to undermine gender equality, enforcing culturally accepted forms of
discrimination against them. Generally, in societies that allow the dissolution of
marriage this is known as divorce. It is a legal way of terminating the marriage having
significance consequence. In Bangladesh, divorce is being practiced mostly among the
Muslim. It is revealed from the studies that divorce has been taking place in the country
mainly because of severe poverty, illiteracy or lack of education, early marriage, love
match, demand for dowry, and absence of prior understanding between bride-groom
and their families and long-standing practice of domination by husband and in-laws.
Besides, mental torture e.g. threats of second marriage, divorce, inflicting violence and
demand for dowry as well as physical tortures on married women are expediting
divorce in Bangladesh.

Factors responsible for social change in rural society of Bangladesh:

The following factors are responsible for social change in rural society of Bangladesh:
1. Changes in physical environment
2. Population changes
3. Isolation and contact
4. Social structure
5. Attitudes and values
6. Cultural factor
7. Technological factors
Aspect of changes in urban society in Bangladesh
Urbanization is a long process in which a society or a nation gets modern and digital by
developing the infrastructure of it. And with this process the social structure and
characteristics change to match with.
In the process of social changes in the post-independence Bangladesh, the following changes
are identified. Such changes actually indicate the width and depth of the process.

Social Relationships:
Bangladesh is a land of love and humanity. People of Bangladesh are known to be very kind,
polite and hospitable. The geological history of this land is also a prove of this. But with the
impact of urbanization on the social relationship people are getting influenced by western
culture and society. It causes less interaction between peoples living in a same area. They are
busy with their urban life . And because of all bangalis are losing their individuality.

Decrease in cultural practices :

Now a days urban people are trying to be like western people. Bangladeshi cultures and
atiquettes are becoming so called not cool or irrelevant to them. As a result they are not that
much interested in it. They are adopting western cultures. In the past we have seen a great
functions and celebrations in the baishakh festival or other national festivals. But people are
now more interested in chrismas and helloween like festivals. Recently we have seen New
year celebration in Dhaka in a mass amount but it can not be seen in the bangla new year
festivals.

Revolutionary Changes:

It is the opposite of evolutionary change. When the changes in various sectors of our
t period or short duration. Let us take some examples. The changes in social structure and
social system which occurred after various famous revolutions like the French, the Russian,
the Chinese and the American Revolution and more recently the revolutionary changes that
occurred or are still occurring in various Afro-Asian countries occur due to revolutions and
movements India’s freedom movement or revolution for independence from ‘British Raj’ is a
case of revolutionary movement.
Besides India’s small or big movements to eradicate the evils of colonialism, caste and class
system economic disparity, tribal life style, superstition, to fight against suppression and
oppression, are valid examples. Introduction of widow marriage, abolition of child marriage,
and Satidaha Pratha, acceptance of intercaste and inter religion marriage are to some extent
examples of revolutionary change.
In short, those remarkable and drastic changes which occur in the social system of a country
or society in a very short span of time are possible due to revolution and movements big or
small. Such drastic changes not only change the life style of people in a society, they also
transform the relationship between individual across countries including within the countries.
Various cross cultural studies lead to support this observation. Attitude change is an
important example of the effect of social change which may happen either due to
evolutionary or revolutionary change.
Because of various social changes attitude of people also change towards the social system. It
is therefore rightly viewed that man is not only an agent, but also a target of social change. In
short, man is indispensable in bringing social changes as well as is influenced by the same
social changes.
He makes or changes the society where he lives and is again influenced by such a changed
society. Social activities who fight against dowry system and are able to pass a law in that
regard are also influenced by the abolition of dowry system. When their sons and daughters
get married they cannot claim or give dowry.

Nuclear Family
Nuclear family, also called elementary family, in sociology and anthropology, a group of
people who are united by ties of partnership and parenthood and consisting of a pair of adults
and their socially recognized children. Typically, but not always, the adults in a nuclear
family are [Link] most of the family in our cities are nuclear family .It is the
most significant change in our urban society. Very [Link] also observe this tendency in
our rural society .Consumerism is mainly responsible for this. Because of this big families are
breaking and turn into nuclear families.

Change in urban Economy

The biggest change in the cities society has been achieved in economy .At present the
economy of the city is completely dependent on industry.A few decades ago this economy
was only dependent on the garment industry, but nowadays the pharmaceutical industry and
the automobile industry have expanded greatly. Here we present some daigram to understand
their contribution to our economy.

Change in Women Status

The status of women in urban areas is higher in comparison to rural areas; and they are
comparatively more educated and liberal. They are not only aware of their economic, social
and political rights but also are able to exercise those [Link] age of marriage of girls
is higher in [Link] is a change observed in the working patterns of individuals in the
urban set up. The participation rate in the labor market has increased among married women
and they no longer are ‘housewives’. However, urban women still face discrimination in
labor market and face discrimination and have limited range of occupations. Still cities of
India have low female labor force participation [Link] peculiar problems faced by urban
women include – difficulty to remain single; expected to subordinate career to that of
husbands [Link] frequency of divorce and [Link] women are socially and
politically active, hold important political positions and possess independent political
[Link] summary, while rural women continue to be dependent over men, urban women
are independent and enjoy greater freedom.

Conclusion:
Gender bias development strategy does not seem to objectively view women's potentials of
reshaping their own destinies and reducing dependence on their male counterparts. This
reported shortfall should be countered by a more objective strategy of participatory
development recognizing individual rights and autonomy as universal values. Contemporary
critique of development explains the inherent contradictions in predominant social institutions.
Feminist movement is a challenge to patriarchal super- ordination. Organizational strength and
support is considered of importance for mobilizing women's potentials for self-development. It
is seen as a vehicle for challenging lopsided relationship and restructuring of political process.
Whatever may be the usefulness of gender development rhetorics social processes and cultural
forces in countryside continue to impair female autonomy. Traditional norms of segregating
and restricting women and girls are discouraging their active participation in development.
However, creating a scope of education and skill development through vocational training is
likely to have a positive impact on women's position. Peasant communities are organised
around 'traditional sex role divisions'. However women's increasing role and activism in the
community ensure balance of power in gender relationship and their autonomous status. The
issue of autonomy concerns participation, empowerment and a modicum of freedom in and
outside the family. "The sense of autonomy in one sense means capacity to obtain control over
economic resources which enable certain choices to be exercised over the directions of one's
life and also the capacity to act and be treated as a full social and individual at home, at
workplace and in the world at large. In the other sense it is the ability to take a job in non-
traditional forms of employment or moving around without a family accompany or without
family's permission." (Akhter 2000:243). Given the disposition of the patriarchy with deeply
ingrained institutional stereotypes in rural areas autonomy of folk women is a distant dream.
Nevertheless, the emerging civil societies and NGO promoters endeavour to galvanize
apparently sleepy community, especially rural women, to break the chain and remove the veil
of subordination. At times they address the crisis of pauperization of rural women .
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