The statement that social control can be both formal and informal is correct because social control refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate individual behavior and maintain social order. Formal social control includes established laws and regulations enforced by government institutions, such as the police and the judicial system. Informal social control, on the other hand, operates through social norms, customs, and expectations that guide behavior without any formal rules or official enforcement. This dual nature allows social control to be effective in various contexts, helping maintain societal cohesion and conformity.
The other choices misrepresent the concept of social control. For instance, stating that it is only enforced through legal means limits its scope to formal mechanisms, ignoring the significant impact of informal social interactions and societal norms. Claims that it aims to promote individual freedoms contradict the essence of social control, which often prioritizes conformity and the maintenance of order over individual freedoms. Lastly, declaring it irrelevant in modern societies ignores the ongoing presence and influence of both formal and informal social controls in shaping behavior and interactions within communities.