How Will I Live? The Sociology of Providing for Others

Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) defined a hierarchy of needs that motivate human behavior. The most basic of needs are associated with survival, namely those that answer the question, “How Will I Live?” These basic needs include breathing, eating and drinking, finding shelter, clothing, and warmth, sex, and sleep. Once these are met, there are safety needs, including security, order, law, stability, and freedom from fear.

Considering the importance to each individual of gaining access to the resources needed to achieve these needs, it is small wonder that leaders of societies have developed a variety of ways to control these resources and thereby control members of their society. Bear in mind then that “providing for others” can have both positive and negative connotations for those being provided access to necessary resources.

In this presentation and discussion, we will explore the sociology, that is the social behavior, interactions, and relationships, associated with the control of these resources, including the institutions of

—land ownership

—employment

—marriage

—expanded families and population control

—gangs

—nursing homes and other social institutions

—social services such as the military and religious orders

—political systems such as totalitarianism, aristocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, colonialism, a republic or democracy, socialism, and communism

—restricting privileges like travel and voting

—liberty

—patronage

—feudalism

—slavery

—nomadic and hunter-gatherer cultures

—[Have I missed one?]  

Covering the entire scope of this topic is a tall order for the single hour we will be together, but I hope the presentation and discussion will spark your interest in exploring this further.