What do you mean by Urbanization ? Explain impacts or consequences of Urbanization in Indian society.
What do you mean by Urbanization?
In almost all the cities in the world, there is progressive increase in the population in the cities consequent upon industrialization. Whenever some new industry is established, a large number of labour force and a sizable managerial cadre are required. In order to meet this demand, there is influx of population to the city which leads to urbanization. Urbanization has been a significant force shaping societies around the world Especially in India urbanization presents a unique case study due to its diverse cultural, economic, and historical contexts. Urbanization refers to the process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas. This phenomenon has profound implications for economic development, social structures, and cultural practices. In India, urbanization has been shaped by historical events, economic policies, and social changes, making it a complex and dynamic process. Urbanization is a transformative process that has reshaped societies globally, and its effects are particularly pronounced in India, where historical, cultural, and economic factors converge uniquely. As cities expanded, they became focal points of opportunity, innovation, and cultural exchange, but also presented significant challenges related to infrastructure, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Historically, India has been home to some of the world’s earliest urban centers, which thrived on trade, cultural exchanges, and sophisticated governance systems. Urbanization progressed through various historical phases, particularly during British colonial rule and after independence. Whereas, the dynamics of urban life transformed drastically. In the colonial era, urbanization was largely driven by the needs of the British Empire, which prioritized economic exploitation over the welfare of local populations. In contrast, post-independence India witnessed rapid urban growth fueled by industrialization and globalization, which aimed to address the economic aspirations of a newly independent nation. However, this rapid growth also gave rise to significant issues, such as slum development, inadequate housing, and infrastructural deficits, highlighting the complexities of urban life in a developing context.
What do you mean by Urbanization
Impact or Consequences of Urbanization in India
The main impacts or consequences of Urbanization in the social life in India are the followings:
(i) Decline in Social Sympathy
The first consequence of urbanization is over crowding and increasing population in the cities which decline in fellow feeling and sympathy. In villages we find a lit of sympathy and communal feeling. A villager knows almost every other man in his village; knows about his problems, share their joys and sorrows together. On the other hand, the question of knowing others rarely arises in cities. In cities everyone is concerned about himself or his friends and lacks sympathy for others.
(ii) Decline in Family control
The rise in the urban population has led to decline in family control. The family ties have lost their orthodox value and have become rather lax. In cities there are a number of families where both husband and wife go to work. In such families, naturally there can be no control over children. Lakhs of labourers live in cities without their families Obvioody, there is no question of control over the behaviour on family. After coming to cities they start indulging in undesirable behaviour since no one there is to check them. They start going to visit houses of ill repute.
(iii) Decline in the influence of Religion
In cities, the philosophy of materialism is ascendant. Every body has become self-centered and is madly prusuing his self interest without any consideration for others. All this is a direct result of the decline in the influence of religion in the urban life.
(iv) Change in the Status of Women
There has been considerable change in the status of women in cities. There is great awakening among women. They are on the way to achieving economic independence. Commenting on this great change in the status of women in cities, Earnest R. Mowrer writes, “The husband is no longer the head of the household in many families, inspite of the fact that he still provides the family name. The wife, on the other hand, finds herself quite equal to her husband in the family circle, if not superior.” However, there is an evil side of this awakening among women. There is rise in the incidence of illicit sex-contacts, divorce and pre and extra material sex.
(v) Changes in the institution of marriage
In India, the parents of the bride and bridegroom used to contract marriages. But now-a-days there is an increasing tendency to choose one’s life partner freely and of one’s own accord.
(vi) Changes in Family Structure
In cities, the institution of joint family is disappearing. Everywhere there is an increasing tendency, to have limited families confined to husband, wife and their offspring.
(vii) Majority of Male ratio in Population
The reasons for the greater number of males in the Urban population are quite clear. In cities lakhs of labourers live single. Their families live in their villages. Hence in cities, males outnumber females.
(viii) Scarcity of Living Accommodation
In cities there is acute shortage of accommodation. More industrialized a city, less is the living accommodation in it. In cities like Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi, poverty compels people to sleep on footpaths. Even those who find a roof overhead, live miserable life. Ten to twenty persons may be staying in a single room. Naturally this gives rise to all sorts of evils.
(ix) People living in slums
As a consequence of shortage of living space, there are sprawling slums in Indian towns. In Kanpur these slums are called Ahatas, in Delhi Basti, in Mumbai Chawl and in Chennai Cheri. These slums are a blot on the fair name of India. What is rather distressing is that along with slums we find grand mansions of mill owners.
(x) Changes in Moral Values
There is change in the moral attitudes of city dwellers. The industrialization leads to mechanization and as a consequence of mechanization, man becomes an automation and loses his independence and moral autonomy. The industrialization produced a man who functions in the manner of a component of a machine. As industrialization has created great demand for working hands, women get work along with men. Because of this, they have achieved economic independence and no longer accept playing a second fiddle to their husbands. All this has brought about great change in moral thinking and moral values.
(xi) Increase in Evil Professions
In cities, many an evil professions flourish. Due to frustrating working conditions in the factory, workers drink, gamble and go to prostitute.
(xii) Increase in the incidence of crime
As R. K. Mookerjee has very aptly observed that industrial centres brutalize manhood unquestionably, dishonour women, and poison childhood at its very source.
(xiii) Increase in juvenile Delinquency
What do you mean by Urbanization
In cities there is a sharp increase in Juvenile delinquency. Due to industrialization, unscrupulous employers engage child labour. This is an important factor in producing juvenile delinquency. Besides this, the children of those parents who go to work are not properly attended to by their parents. They are left to their own designs and tend to become juvenile delinquents.
What do you mean by Urbanization
(xiv) Corruption, Conflict and Competition
What do you mean by Urbanization
In cities we find cut throat competition in economic field. Not only among businessmen but also among mill-owners. There is furious competition. When this competition becomes fierce, evil practices are resorted to Black-market, conflict and corruption.
What do you mean by Urbanization
The above mentioned social impact of urbanization is to be found in all countries. To control the undesirable impacts, thorough town planning considering the requirements, is being made in advanced countries.
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