How do you think social institutions influence and shape individuals?

[Karen S]

I think social institutions give people a sense of identity, a common purpose, and a context for their behavior. Church or religion seems to be one of the classic, traditional institutions. It provides people with belief systems and a code of behavior and ethics. The other side of this is that those who don't follow the prescribed rules are punished or ostracized, so institutions socialize people and teach them how to behave in society. Of course, this fosters the "us versus them" mindset which seems to be a part of any group mentality. I believe that this "us versus them" thinking does give the groups and people involved identities that help define them.

Some institutions I can think of are education, marriage, family, work, religion, sports, government, etc. Don't have an in-depth knowledge of sociology but I hope this helps.