Aspects of quality of life: social anomie in South Africa

Abstract

"The concept of anomie is one of the classics of sociological theory. Developed and evolved by scholars such as Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton, the concept refers to the absence of clear social norms and values and to a lack of sense of social regulation. However, whereas Merton focused on features of relative deprivation that cause anomie, Durkheim was primarily interested in the link between rapid social change and social anomie. According to the latter, normative regulation is threatened with being undermined and people are likely to lack the social and psychological means for adjustment in times of rapid social change. Empirically, it has been shown that citizens of changing societies are more likely to report feelings of powerlessness, loneliness and pessimism. Drawing on survey data from the South African General Household Survey polled in 2002, this paper examines the extent of social anomie in South Africa. The results will be placed in a comparative context using data from the EUROMODULE project. The key emphasis of the paper, however, lies in determining the sub-groups in South African society most affected by social anomie and the relation between syndromes of anomie, on the one hand, and socio-demographic factors that account for its variance on the other. We are especially interested in racial differences in the level of anomie. Using descriptive and multivariate statistics, the paper sets out to examine the ethnic and socioeconomic determinants that affect social anomie. Overall, the paper aims to explore the validity and suitability of Durkheim's and Merton's explanatory frameworks for understanding the phenomenon and the structure of social anomie in South Africa." (author's abstract)