Rashid's Blog: A Place for Inquisitive Souls

Traditionally, rural settlements were associated with agriculture. In modern times other types of rural communities have been developed.

In rural settlement the most basic sitting factors can be seen clearly at work. This is because permanent villages, like the semi-permanent settlements of shifting cultivators or nomads, or the temporary camps of hunters and gatherers, from which they evolved, have the same basic requirements of food, water, shelter and protection.

As human has developed more and more sophisticated techniques of obtaining a living, he was able to depend more and more on a single place to provide his livelihood, but the basic requirements must be present. if these needs are provided, other factors such as planning can come into play and affect the siting of settlement.

In most countries the pattern of rural settlement that we see today is the result of a series of adjust­ments to the environment which have been going on for centuries. In some countries, however, either as part of a land reform scheme or because the pressure of population in the existing settled areas is becoming too great, new villages and rural settle­ments are being established today.

The settlement where the occupation of the majority of people relate to the local natural resources is called rural settlement for example,

(1) settlement of fisheries along sea coast,

(2) settlement of tribal people in the forest area and

(3) settlement of farmers along the banks of rivers.

There are some salient characteristics of rural settlements.

Rural area is sparsely populated because many people leaves rural areas and settles in the urban areas for more facilities.These society has homogeneity. in its profession that is their only source of earning is agriculture and this is transmitted from generation to generation.There is homogeneity in dress, language and customs. It means all these remain same because their culture is same they belong to the same area.These areas have got slow means of communication.Rural areas have very slow rate of change because of lack of education and modern technology.These settlements have got simple culture transmitted from generation to generation.Rural areas have got informal social life that is they spent their life in a. simple way.Rural communities have got strong relationships and interactions of the people. It means that they help each other in distress and shares the happiness.In such areas there is less rate of pollution because there are no factories and mills and the number of automobiles is less.In such areas people shows great hospitality to their guests and treat them as a member of a family.

Size of the Community:

The village communities are smaller in area than the urban communities. As the village communities are small, the population is also low.

Density of Population:

As the density of population is low, the people have intimate relationships and face-to-face contacts with each other. In a village, everyone knows everyone.

The primacy of Agriculture:

Close Contact with Nature

The rural people are in close contact with nature as most of their daily activities revolve around the natural environment. This is the reason why a ruralite is more influenced by nature than an urbanite. The villagers consider land as their real mother as they depend on it for their food, clothing, and shelter.

Homogeneity of Population:

The village communities are homogenous in nature. Most of their inhabitants are connected with agriculture and its allied occupations, though there are people belonging to different castes, religions, and classes.

Social Stratification:

In rural society, social stratification is a traditional characteristic, based on caste. The rural society is divided into various strata on the basis of caste.

 Social Interaction:

It is the family, which introduces the members to the customs, traditions and culture of the society. Due to limited contacts, they do not develop individuality and their viewpoint towards the outside world is very narrow, which makes them oppose any kind of violent change.In Rural society there are more formal groups than urban society.

Urbanism and Ruralism are social realities.

 Social Mobility:

In rural areas, mobility is rigid as all the occupations are based on caste. Shifting from one occupation to another is difficult as caste is determined by birth. Thus, caste hierarchy determines the social status of the rural people.

 Social Solidarity:

The degree of social solidarity is greater in villages as com­pared to urban areas. Common experience, purposes, customs, and traditions form the basis of unity in the villages. The point is debatable as there is much politics going on in villages.

 Joint Family System :

Another characteristic feature of rural society is the joint family system. The family controls the behaviour of the individuals. Generally, the father is the head of the family and is also responsible for maintaining the discipline among members. He manages the affairs of the family.

Source(s):

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