MEANING OF SOCIALIZATION; HOME AS THE FIRST HRS.

AGENT OF SOCIALIZATION; SCHOOL AS ANOTHER AGENT

Agents of socialization are the people, groups, and social institutions that affect one’s
self-concept, attitudes, and behaviors. For example, parents, teachers,
priests, television personalities, rock stars, and so forth.Agents of socialization teach
people what society expects of them. They tell them what is right and wrong, and they
give them the skills they need to function as members of their culture.

 Primary agents of socialization include people with whom we have a close

intimate relationship, such as parents, and usually occur when people are very
young.
 The family is usually considered the primary agent of socialization, and schools,
peer groups, and the mass media are considered secondary socialization agencies.
 Secondary agents of socialization are groups or institutions that influence an
individual’s socialization process after, or alongside, primary agents like family.
 They include secondary relationships (not close, personal, or intimate) and
function to “Liberate the individual from a dependence upon the primary
attachments and relationships formed within the family group” (Parsons, 1951).
 Unlike primary agents of socialization (such as family and peers), secondary agents
are typically less influential in shaping an individual’s fundamental beliefs and
values.

WHAT IS SOCIALIZATION?

Socialization is the process of learning a society's norms and conventions, enabling

individuals to behave in an acceptable manner. It ensures they understand and follow rules
for effective performance in society or within specific groups. Socialization can occur at any
age, with its intensity being most intense during childhood and adolescence. Adult
socialization occurs when individuals are placed in new situations, particularly in cultures
with different norms and habits.

Example Agents Of Socialization

We normally refer to the people responsible for our socialization as agents of socialization
and, by extension, we can also talk about agencies of socialization (such as our family, the
education system, the media, and so forth).

1. FAMILY

Family members can include parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family is the first and most important agent of socialization for children.It is through
families that people learn about culture and how to behave in a way that is acceptable to
society. Families also teach people about language and communication, how to relate to
others, and how the world works.For example, families teach their children the difference
between strangers and friends and what is real and imagined. Race, social class, religion, and
other societal factors influence the experiences of families and, as a result, the socialization of
children.Families from some cultures may socialize for obedience and conformity, while those
from others may do so for creativity and individualism. Families from different social classes
may have different lifestyles and provide their children with different opportunities for
learning.Gender norms, perceptions of race, and class-related behaviors also influence family
socialization. For example, countries that provide paternity leave and accept stay-at-home
fathers in the social landscape are more likely to socialize male children to be more willing to
care for children when they are adults.

2. Schools

Schools are an important secondary agent of socialization. Most students spend most
of the day at school, immersing themselves in both academic subjects and behaviors
like teamwork, following a schedule, and using textbooks

By participating in a race or math contest, children learn that in order to succeed,

they must be better than others. This is an important value in capitalist societies,
where people are expected to strive for personal gain.

In contrast, schools may also place more emphasis on working together and
cooperating with others, as this is seen as a way to achieve the collective good.

3. Community / Neighborhood

Communities or neighborhoods consist of a group of people living in the same

geographic area under common laws or groups of people sharing fellowship, a
friendly association, and common interests.

The community is a socializing agent because it is where children learn the role
expectations for adults as well as themselves. The community provides a sense of
identity to individuals and helps to define what is right or wrong.
Children can acquire this socialization by modeling adults, having rules enforced on
them, or experiencing consequences for their behavior (Putnam, 2000).

It also teaches children how to interact with people who are different from them in
terms of race, ethnicity, social class, and religion. For example, children learn that it
is polite to speak quietly in the library, but they can be loud when they are playing
with friends at the park.

The community also offers opportunities for children to explore their interests and
talents. For example, some communities have youth clubs, sports teams, and
scouting groups. These activities allow children to try new things, make friends, and
develop a sense of responsibility (Putnam, 2000).

4. Peers

People learn from their peers (the people of their own age and similar social status)
how to dress, talk, and behave. People also learn about what is important to one”s
peer group and what is not.

During adolescence, peers become even more important as agents of socialization.

This is because adolescents are exploring their identities and trying to figure out who
they are and where they fit in the world.

Peers provide support and guidance during this time and help people learn about the
norms and values of their culture — as well as what to wear, eat, watch, and where to
spend time.

On the downside, adolescent peer influences have been seen as responsible for
underage drinking, drug use, delinquency, and hate crimes (Agnew, 2015).

During peoples’ 20s and 30s, peer groups tend to diminish in importance. This is
because people are more likely to be working and have less free time. In addition,
people are more likely to be married or in a committed relationship.

As a result, they are less likely to spend time with friends and more likely to socialize
within their families.

However, parents with young children may broaden their peer groups further and
accept more influence as they reach out to their surrounding communities to care for
their children (Vandall, 2000).

5. Mass Media

The media works by providing information to a wide audience via television,

newspapers, radio, and the Internet. This broad dissemination of information greatly
influences social norms (Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 2005).

The media teaches people about material objects, current events, and fashion but also
enforces nonmaterial culture: beliefs, values, and norms. It also teaches people how
to think about and react to political events, such as elections.
In addition, it provides information about what is happening in other parts of the
world, how people in other cultures live, and how people from a particular society
should perceive the way that others live.

6. Religion

Religions can be both formal and informal institutions, any is an important avenue of
socialization for many people.

Synagogues, temples, churches, mosques, and similar religious communities teach

participants how to interact with their religion’s material culture — for example, the
mezuzah, a prayer rug, or a communion wafer.

The ceremonies upheld by religion can often relate to family structure — like
marriage and birth rituals, and religious institutions can reinforce gender norms
through socialization. This reinforces the family unit”s power dynamics and fosters a
shared set of values transmitted through the rest of society (Pearson-Merkowitz &
Gimpel, 2009).

Historically, religious institutions have played a significant role in social change. For
example, the civil rights movement in the United States was led by religious leaders
such as Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Similarly, the women”s suffrage movement
was also partly motivated by religious beliefs.

Today, religion continues to shape people”s socialization experiences. For instance,

some religions encourage members to protest wars and volunteer to help the poor. In
all of these cases, religious institutions socialize people to behave in a way that favors
once vulnerable groups (Pearson-Merkowitz & Gimpel, 2009).

7. Government

The government is another agent of socialization. It enacts laws that uphold social
norms and values, and it also provides institutions and services that support citizens.

Government is notable in that it can fund a number of institutions that encourage

socialization. For example, the government funds public schools, which play a key
role in children”s socialization.

The government also funds other programs that provide opportunities for social
interaction, such as after-school programs, parks, and recreation centers (Oberfield,
2014).

The military is another example of how the government can influence people”s
socialization experiences.

For instance, the military teaches people how to work together in a hierarchy, follow
orders, and use violence to achieve objectives. People who serve in the military often
come from different backgrounds and have different values.

As a result, the military can be an agent for socializing people to collaborate with
those from disparate races and classes against a common opponent (Oberfield, 2014).
The government can also create roles through legislation. For example, governments
usually define an “adult” as being at least eighteen years old, the age at which a
person becomes legally responsible for themselves.

Meanwhile, 65 brings the onset of “old age” as seniors become eligible for benefits.
These roles motivate people to be socialized into a different category, learning to
conform to both the government”s and broader society”s expectations of age
(Oberfield, 2014).

WHAT IS SOCIALIZATION FOR YOU

FOR ME SOCIALIZATION -Socialization refers to the lifelong process through

which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, beliefs, customs,
behaviors, and social skills of their culture or society. It is a fundamental
aspect of human development and plays a crucial role in shaping an
individual's identity, personality, and social interactions. Socialization occurs
primarily through interactions with family members, peers, schools, media,
and other social institutions.

FAMILY EXAMPLES IN SOCIALIZATION-

 Language Acquisition: Babies and young children learn their native

language primarily from their family members. Parents and older siblings
often serve as language models, teaching the child how to speak,
understand, and communicate effectively within their culture.
 Gender Roles and Identity: Family plays a significant role in socializing
children into gender roles and identities. Children learn what is considered
appropriate behavior and gender roles through observation and
interaction with family members. For example, they may learn about
traditional gender roles such as "mothers cook, and fathers fix things."
 Values and Beliefs: Families instill values and beliefs in children. Parents
often communicate their moral and ethical principles, religious beliefs, and
cultural values to their children. For instance, a family may emphasize the
importance of honesty, hard work, or religious practices.
 Social Norms: Children learn social norms within the family context. They
observe how their family members interact with each other and with
guests, which helps them understand how to behave in various social
situations.
 Manners and Etiquette: Families teach children manners and etiquette,
including saying "please" and "thank you," table manners, and other social
niceties. These skills are essential for polite and respectful interactions with
others.
 Conflict Resolution: Family is where children first encounter conflicts and
learn how to manage them. They observe how their parents or caregivers
handle disagreements and conflicts, which can influence their own
conflict-resolution skills.
 Cultural Traditions: Families often pass down cultural traditions and rituals.
This can include celebrating holidays, participating in cultural ceremonies,
and maintaining cultural practices that are important to the family's
heritage.
 Roles and Responsibilities: Children learn about familial roles and
responsibilities within the family unit. They may be assigned tasks such as
chores, caregiving responsibilities, or helping with younger siblings, which
teach them about responsibilities and teamwork.
 Socialization of Emotional Expression: Families also shape how individuals
express and manage their emotions. Children learn from their family
 members how to express joy, sadness, anger, and other emotions, as well
as how to cope with them.
 Attachment and Relationships: The quality of early attachments formed
within the family can influence an individual's future relationships and
social interactions. Secure attachments promote healthy socialization and
emotional development.
 Cultural Identity: Family is often where individuals first develop a sense of
their cultural identity. They learn about their ethnic or cultural
background, traditions, and heritage through family stories, practices, and
celebrations.

These examples illustrate how family serves as a primary agent of socialization,

shaping an individual's understanding of the world and their place within it.
Family socialization sets the foundation for an individual's interactions with
broader society and influences their values, beliefs, behaviors, and social roles.

EXAMPLES IN SOCIALIZATION IN SCHOOLS

 Socialization in schools plays a significant role in shaping the social,

cognitive, and emotional development of students. Here are some
examples of socialization in a school setting:
 Learning Social Norms: Schools provide a structured environment where
students learn and internalize social norms, such as raising hands to
speak, waiting their turn, and respecting authority figures like teachers
and administrators.
 Peer Interactions: Interactions with peers are a vital aspect of socialization
in school. Students learn how to make friends, resolve conflicts, and
navigate social hierarchies. These interactions help in the development of
social skills and the understanding of group dynamics.
 Teamwork and Collaboration: Group projects and classroom activities
encourage students to work together, share ideas, and collaborate. This
fosters skills in cooperation, compromise, and teamwork.
 Cultural Awareness: Schools often have diverse student populations, which
expose students to different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. This
can help promote cultural awareness, tolerance, and an appreciation for
diversity.
 Gender Roles: Schools can either reinforce or challenge traditional gender
roles. Through interactions with teachers, classmates, and educational
materials, students learn about gender expectations and may develop
more egalitarian attitudes.
 Conflict Resolution: Schools provide opportunities for students to
encounter conflicts with peers. Learning how to resolve conflicts in a
 peaceful and constructive manner is an important social skill developed in
this setting.
 Bullying and Anti-Bullying Initiatives: Schools address issues of bullying
through educational programs and policies. Students learn about the
harmful effects of bullying and the importance of empathy and kindness.
 Respect for Authority: Teachers and administrators serve as authority
figures in schools, and students learn to respect and respond to their
guidance. This respect for authority is an important aspect of socialization.
 Extracurricular Activities: Participation in clubs, sports, and other
extracurricular activities provides students with opportunities to develop
social bonds, pursue interests, and develop leadership skills.
 Peer Pressure and Peer Influence: Students may experience peer pressure,
both positive and negative, which can influence their choices and
behaviors. Learning to navigate these social pressures is an important part
of school socialization.
 Socialization Through Curriculum: The curriculum itself can play a role in
socialization. For example, history and social studies classes may teach
students about their country's values and history, while literature can
expose them to different perspectives and moral dilemmas.

 Teacher-Student Relationships: Interactions with teachers can impact

students' social development. Positive relationships with teachers can
provide mentorship and emotional support, while negative interactions
can have the opposite effect.
 School Rules and Discipline: Schools have rules and disciplinary
procedures in place, which help students understand the consequences of
their actions and the importance of following rules within a structured
society.

In summary, schools are not just places for academic learning; they are also
crucial environments for socialization, where students learn a wide range of
social skills, norms, and values that will shape their interactions and behaviors
throughout their lives.