Social reform refers to
socio-political activities whose object is to modify or change a
socio-political practice or some aspects of social legislations without
changing the fundamental political structure. Social reform aims essentially at
a change in the basic values and social institution in a community. It requires
pioneers and leaders of public opinion. Its intention is not to provide just a
temporary relief but to trigger lasting changes in the society.
“Social
Reform” A reform movement is a kind of social movement that aims to make
gradual change, or change in certain aspects of society, rather than rapid or fundamental
changes. A reform movement is distinguished from more radical social movements
suck as revolutionary movements. Social
Reform also means that a group of people with a common ideology who try
together to achieve certain general goals. Usually
those goals being -
- Bringing down crime rate.
- Bringing down poverty.
- Increasing employment opportunities.
- Increasing the overall economical and financial standard.
As far as the modern social
work in Bangladesh is concerned, it has developed out of the social reform
movement of the 19th century. An uncompromising struggle to get
equal rights for women, a concerted attempt towards the abolition of the
outmoded and harmful practices such as child marriage, sati, untouchability,
human sacrifice, etc., come under the term “social reform”.
Finally we can say that, Social reform is a movement
that seeks to change the social and political views of marginalized groups. Social reform movements involve the
marginalized group and the activists in an effort to change political policy
while bringing public awareness to the issue through protests, amended
legislature and the media.