The family has a primary role in the socialization of an individual.However, the ideal family model in which two parents raise children is decreasing slowly, as other models of “family” enter the arena.One quarter of all children live with one parent, and the large majority (87%) of those live with only the mother (Anderson, 2011).The major problems in the female –headed households are economic pressures and the threat of poverty. Although women have the legal right to earn as much as their male counterparts, there is still inequality in the amount that a female earns.In addition, there is a lack of federal support for the female-headed household and other resources to aid the mother.Childcare is increasingly expensive and the mother is not around the house as frequently to educate her kids.Wages have decreased for young workers and since most unmarried mothers are young, they are likely to be poor and put their children at a disadvantage. Furthermore, there is generally little support financially from the father.
The consequences of poverty and lack of parental support are significant in a young child’s life.Without supervision directly from the mother, the children are likely to pick up values from other sources, including their peers and the media.Since violence and high standards of beauty are portrayed in the media, the youth might be more likely to conform to those ideals.An emerging problem is high conformity to the ideals of the media, resulting in high violence from young boys and eating disorders in females, as they try to reach a “perfect” model body (as examples).Poverty in general puts children at risk of malnutrition and other complications, including lack of formal education, due to the expenses of college.Overall, the increasing prevalence of female-headed households and extreme conformity to the ideals of society are two issues that are becoming more apparent in the world.As the foundation of society, the family has an important role to teach children morals and values.The breakdown of the traditional family may lead to economic and personal financial hardship.
Socialization is the process by which we learn the expectations that society has for each of us. This concept is related to roles, which are the behavior expectations for status that we have. Socialization helps us to form an identity and a personality, or set of behaviors, feelings, predispositions, and beliefs.
In addition to personal benefits, socialization is a form of social control, a process by which we are brought into conformity of the dominant social expectations. It is the basis of order in society.
What is the life course perpective?
How does it relate to socialization?
The life course perspective uses the experiences from a persons life (including the historical and social aspects of events) in addition to the roles and personal attributes of that individual in order to analyze connections and describe influences.
Since socialization occurs from the moment a child is born, and continues past adulthood, the process of learning new roles and adapting to situations is always changing.
Many people undergo rites of passage, which are formal ceremonies or rituals to mark the tranisition from one role to another. Some examples are graduation, weddings, retirement, and promotions. These rites of passage mark a status change, and therefore, a new set of expectations. These roles are learned through observation of others and personal experience.
Why is Socialization interesting to Me?
The development of a person is fascinating! Imagine, every interaction and situation has made us the person that we are today. The expectations of others are learned through socialization. We learn how to act our gender, age, and fill our roles through the help of those around us.
I was team captain of the 2010 WSU women's cross country team. After four years on the team, I can honestly say that the experience has had a huge impact on my life and the way that I interact with others.
The transition from high school athletics to PAC-10 division 1 athetics is a big adjustment, and the socialization with the girls on the team helped me learn my role on the team as a freshman. This allowed me to take on a future role as a captain and senior.
In addition to sports, there were several agents of socialization that have greatly impacted and influenced my life. These are family, religion, peers, the media, schools, and my workplaces. I have come to understand who I am, and sometimes rely on the feedback from others to determine who I am.
Which brings me to my next point, the looking glass theory, by Charles Horton Cooley, states that we have a conception of ourselves based on our interactions with others. This is based on three principles: 1) how we think we appear to others 2) how we think others judge us 3) how the first two make us feel. In my life, I have explored this idea, and find it to be relatively accurate. This theory is part of symbolic interaction.
Contents of this post:
A link to an article about peer and media influences on girls' self perception
An image that represents the importance of a parent in the socialization process
The video called Agents of Socialization
A link to the "Process of Socialization" webpage
A link to the Sociology of Sport Journal webpage
A quote by Steven Pinker, about socialization
Link to socialization article:
This article discusses the influence of peers and media on body image and self-esteem. Both the media and peers are major sources of socialization and have a large affect on youth.
Many studies have focused on the influence of media in the teenage years, but this study shows that even younger girls are negatively affected by the images they see.
As a future registered dietitian, I have a particular interest in body image and how media and other sources influence dieting and food intake. Some of my future clients may be individuals that have tried too hard to conform to society, and have thus impaired their health through disordered eating.
This quote comes from the conclusions of the article:
"Although peer influences have recently been
casually linked to body image concerns in adolescents (Jones,
2004), this study extends these findings to a much younger population.
In addition, we found that appearance television exposure
predicted decrease in appearance satisfaction over 1 year."
The process of socialization begins at birth and continues throughout life. We are constantly learning expectations from others, as we experience changes in location and status.
Parents, especially mothers in a nuclear family where mom is at home, are the first ones to teach their children how to behave and how to fill their roles as a male or female.
Family is just one agent of socialization, but it is one of the most important!
Image: Perrino, R. (2011)
Agents of Socialization Video:
People or sources that pass on social expectations are known as agents of socialization. They affect the way we dress, act, and our system of beliefs.
This video, by Christian Weise (2010) accurately shows some of the agents of socialization and the influence they have. Ultimately, our personality and identity is determined in a large part by those around us.
Link to the socialization process webpage:
This is a great resource to learn about how we "aquire our cultures, world views, and personalities". It contains a list of topics and a webpage link full of material on that topic. This page also covers rites of passage and has study aids to help learn the material.
Have you ever thought that sports were "just for fun"? Well, think again! Sports are a way for us to learn our roles, such as gender and playing on a team. Sports are an agent of socialization.
If you want to learn more about the Sociology of Sports and how sports affect society, visit this website. You will find an abundance of articles, and can search for your favorite topic related to sports:
This link takes you to the sociology of sport journal,
"There has to be innate circuitry that does the learning, that creates the culture, that acquires the culture, and that responds to socialization." - Steven Pinker (n.d)
Family is a social instituition that plays a critical role in the socialization of an individual and development of a personal identity. The kinship system defines an individual's relationships with another within a family, either related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption.
Family, whether part of the nuclear (immediate) or extended relatives, changes in response to economic and social conditions. Yet, the family continues to drive development of children and adults, based on interactions and attitudes.
Likewise, religion is a very important agent of sociolization. A set of beliefs pertaining to deity, creation, and death can bring people together. Emile Durkheim, one of the greatest sociologists that ever lived, explains that religion can bring individuals together in a "collective consciousness", due to the values and beliefs that are common among them. This creates a feeling that a person is part of a greater whole. Religion can give purpose to life and influence actions.
How has Religion and Family affected my own life?
Family has affected many aspects of my development and the socialization process in my life. As the oldest child in the family, I was given certain responsibilities and obligations to help my younger siblings. My parents treated me as an adult for most of my childhood and really influenced the way that I saw myself.
The family is the foundation for society. Without good parents to teach children, the younger generations will grow up without proper expectations and morals.
Religious beliefs have been a guiding principle in almost every action I have made. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was baptized at the age of eight. The church functions on the basis of service and a lot of social activities were centered around the church. A lot of my closest friends were from the church and influenced my expectations for myself.
As a member of the church, I pay 10% of all my income to the church, abide by the word of wisdom (dietary beliefs- no strong drink, alcohol, or harmful substances), and I attend church services every Sunday. I feel very connected to the other members of the church, due to our common beliefs.
Religion and Family are the most important agents of Socialization in my life. Below, you will see a picture of my own family.
MY NUCLEAR FAMILY
Contents of this post:
A link to an article from FAMILIES magazine
A photograph that represents families and collective consciousness
The video called Religion, Ethics, and Social Practice
A link to the Association Religious Data archives webpage
A link to The Family Research Council webpage
A quote by Letty Cottin Pogrebin, about families
Link to article from FAMILIES magazine:
This article talks about the importance of families and religion as agents of socialization. It shows research which suggests that parents with an education are more likely to encourage their children to pursue an education also.
"As the primary agent of socialization and the first
“educator”, the family, plays an essential role in the
transmission of the fundamental values that
encourage and nurture learning in a young child." Perrino, R.D. (2005)
In addition, religion is a very important stabilizer in a child's life, according to this article. Religion establishes norms for behavior and values for a child to follow. It also helps a child withstand influences from external forces, such as the media, peers, and "profanity," things of the everyday world.
Collective Conciousness: The body of beliefs common to a community or society that gives people a sense of belonging. Collective conciousness is established through religion.
This photograph represents collective conciousness, because there is a common bond between these people that holds them together, unified.
Image: Kingdom Christian University (2011)
Nuclear Family:
A married couple and their children. This ideal family is becoming more rare in society, as divorce rates and nontraditional families are formed.
Image: Goa News (2011)
Video: Religion, Ethics and Social Practice
This video shows images of groups and individuals with a common belief who are coming together for a single purpose. To me, it represents the idea of collective conciousness, which gives people a sense of belonging. It also talks briefly about agents of socialization, and how the media and other influences are affecting the values of humanity and our children.
Video: Jades Fire (2007)
Association Religious Data archives webpage:
This is a really neat website that provides useful information about many different types of religion, including demographics and beliefs. In addition, you can see different national religions and the percentage of a certain religion in that area. Check it out!
The family research council website is a great resource for reading about current issues in family, religion, and freedom. Their mission statement talks about the importance of family:
"Family Research Council champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society."
Summary: Quote about Family as an agent of socialization
"The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group. The family endures because, better than the commune, kibbutz, or classroom, it seems to individualize and socialize its children, to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectations. Only in the family can so many extremes be reconciled and synthesized. Only in the family do we have a lifetime in which to do it. "
