Chapter 4 - Women and Education under Armed Conflicts

Summary

This chapter will first discuss some theoretical aspects of terrorism in Swat society with special reference to structural functionalism or functionalist theories that created a space for the rise of Taliban, because it explores a set of human behaviour and complexities of a society to maintain harmony and peace (Ritzer, 2010). Second, it will discuss the conceptualisation of women and education in armed conflicts. The chapter then ends with some reflections about the suitability of feminists’ peace and conflict theories in Swat context.

According to the theory, every society has its stable social structure. This social structure has its own harmonious way of functioning that is acceptable and recognised for a society. However, as time passes, changes occur in a society's setup, and people try to change or modify their old-fashioned functions. Thus, societies accept or reject new social functions based on their suitability or unsuitability within their cultural and societal norms. However, if the new functions are disapproved by a group, known as ‘dysfunctional group’, or the concept of ‘dysfunction’, whereas functions contribute to the adjustment of the system, dysfunctions are those consequences that lead to instability and ultimately change (Elwell, 2013: 1). The change bearer group in the social structure continues their struggle within society. This tussle always creates clashes and conflicts within a society when the functions of social structure are unacceptable for the changing group, and the existing functions holder rejects the new social structure changes. This tug of war between the societal structural functional and dysfunctional forces (groups) is a continuous process throughout human history. However, Merton asserts that institutional structures and cultural elements are interrelated and mutually supporting and that the dominant orientation of socio-cultural systems is stability (Elwell, 2013: 1).

As we survey the course of history, it seems reasonably clear that all major social structures have in due course been cumulatively modified or abruptly terminated. In either event, they have not been eternally fixed and unyielding to change. (Merton 1948/1968, 95, cited in Elwell, 2013)

Restructuring an existing society with social mechanisms adjusts the new acceptable social functions with existing social norms; otherwise, the society repulses it.