Why do traditions in our society impede change? To what extent can social legislation be instrumental against old customary practices?

Reasons for impeding change: (1) Stakeholders comfort as those benefiting from existing order prevent due change [ex] Brahminical were against Raja Rammohan Roy widow remarriage & Sati end. (2) Voicelessness & Vulnerable as they may not have means or ability to raise voice against discrimination (3) Traditional obscurantism in name of cultural religious practices [ex] Comhowery & caste banning of Tallivaliski.

Additional reasons for impeding change: (4) To preserve practices as tribals culture, as premature, they fear dilution by foreign entry [ex] Andamantke (Sentinel Isle) killed an American Tourist. Instrumentality of social legislations: (1) social legislation create conformity as against wrong practices [ex] child marriage constituted evil hence not practiced. (2) Fear of social exclusion makes people give up negative customary practice [ex] Polygamy in Hindu culture. (3) Family as an agent of social legislation can have both: [positive role → Women in labor]

Additional positive roles: voting issue of domestic violence shedding to liquour ban. Negative aspects: sometime family leads to sanksritization of corruption & caste bias. Non instrumental aspects: these social legislation have no teeth to fail like laws; Not enough to develop fear psychology against old archaic custom [ex] remarriating women still is considered impure; social legislation sometime strengthen in favour of customs instead of against it [ex] Dowry as stree dhan or gifts are outcomes of social legislation.

— Annapurna Singh