Social Changes in Coastal Community Affected by the Conversion of Environmental Resources

Abstract

The study examined about the social changes in coastal community due to the conversion of environmental resources. It aimed to reveal how the process and the consequences of these changes. The research type was qualitative-descriptive-analytic. The research findings indicated that development as a result of modernization was addressed by various community groups in the coastal areas, and the visible change was the changing pattern of work. The sharpening of social differentiation and commercialization of economy that created the vertical relationships were led to the weakening ties between them. Then, the consequences arising were that the relationship with the local community had been loosened, so that social relationships was on the basis of personal interest; the occasion of the production of widely open market can make differentiation in the community structure;  belief in the supernatural aspects began to decline, so that rationality appeared in the way of thinking; and mutual aid only occurred for particular purposes among neighbors and relatives, while the economic activity was carried out on the basis of money and other payment instruments. It was concluded that the relationships among communities were not so strongly that the consequences on the aspects of social structure and culture occurred. It was expected that the social problems that experienced over the functions of resources in the coastal community can be clearly revealed.

Keywords: social changes, function conversion, environmental resources