An Assessment of Cultural Changes in Rural Society in Gopalganj District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the extent and pattern of cultural change in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh. To this end, primary data were collected from the rural people from Gopalganj Sadar, Tungipara and Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj district. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondent. Five-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the attitudes of the rural people towards cultural changes in the study area. Descriptive statistics, tabular as well as graphical techniques were used in analyzing the data. Result found from the descriptive statistics indicates that majority of the respondents were within the age group of 31-40 years whereas 21% respondents fall within the age category of 51-60 years. In regards to educational background, it is found that majority of the respondents completed their primary education and 17% respondents completed higher secondary education. Regarding the occupational status of the respondents, it is seen that 39% were involved with crop production whereas 16% were livestock farming.  The empirical results show that 34% rural people strongly agree and 47% agree with the idea that there is a recreational change in rural society.  In terms of the food habit changes, it is observed that 24% of the respondents strongly agree that the pattern of food habit has changed in rural society whereas 3% strongly disagree in this regard. Findings of the study show that 43% of the respondents agree that there is an occupational change in the rural society, and 11% were strongly agree with the statement. With respect to the changes in the communication pattern in rural society, the present study shows that 23% of the rural people agree and 59% strongly agree with the view that communication pattern has changed in the rural society. In the past, Jatra pala, radio and puthi path were the dominant source of recreation whereas facebook, you tube, mobile phone and colour television are found as the main source of recreation at present. In regards to the occupational pattern of the respondents, it is found that crop production and paid labour were the principal occupation of rural people in the past whereas at present mobile and servicing related business, computer and accessories related business, fast food business, poultry farming, internet outsourcing related occupation is found as dominant.