Class and changing urban life styles in Narayanganj: A sociological study

Abstract

This thesis aims at finding out the relationships between urban classes and life style patterns and the impact of modernization and globalization on the urban life style patterns of the people in Narayanganj, and find out a new pattern of consumption. The society of Bangladesh has seen major cultural changes due to the influence of various processes namely, modernization, urbanization and globalization. Narayanganj, a major city of Bangladesh is also currently going through the process of cultural change. The life style pattern of high income groups or the upper class is quite different from the life style pattern of lower income groups or the lower class. The middle income group of Narayanganj also leads a different way of life. The changing process involves the food habits, media habits, dress patterns and family structure. There is a growing tendency of fast food culture among the upper and middle class people in Narayanganj city though the lower class is less comfortable to this culture. Moreover, a large number of brand shops are situated in Narayanganj city and they are rapidly increasing due to the growing preferences of the upper and middle class people on brand clothes. In addition, Indian hindi and bangla channels are becoming more popular among the residents of Narayanganj city. The modernization and globalization process have a crucial effect in the life style patterns of the people in Narayanganj city though the social stratification factors holds a significant position in this explication of change.