3.1: Agents of Socialization
- Page ID
- 295920
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Socialization
Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize the norms and ideas of society, maintaining social and cultural continuity. Children learn about the world through interaction with various “agencies,” including family, peers, school, the workplace, government, and mass media.
Family is the first and most important agent of socialization. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family teach children how to use objects, relate to others, and understand the world. Because children spend their formative years with family, parental influence profoundly shapes behavior, values, and gender norms. Social factors such as race, social class, and religion also shape family socialization. For example, in Sweden, stay-at-home fathers are widely accepted due to supportive government policies, influencing children’s perceptions of gender roles differently than in the United States.
Racial socialization is particularly important in racially prejudiced societies. African American parents teach their children about cultural identity and prepare them for bias and discrimination. Research by Jason E. Shelton (2008) demonstrates that parents differ in the degree of racial socialization based on age, gender, location, perception of racial discrimination, and income. These lessons help children navigate society and seize opportunities.
Parents’ social class also shapes socialization. Melvin Kohn (1965, 1977) found that working-class parents emphasize obedience due to low-autonomy jobs, while middle-class parents emphasize independence and creativity. Additionally, parents often socialize children differently by sex, encouraging girls and boys to behave in ways aligned with gender expectations (Wood, 2009).
Peers become influential especially during adolescence, shaping tastes, interests, and behavior. Peer pressure can lead to risky behaviors, but friendships also provide emotional support and practical guidance throughout life.
School socializes children through both manifest functions—teaching subjects—and latent functions, such as teamwork, following schedules, and adapting to bureaucracy. Schools also socialize children to national identity and citizenship, with textbooks reflecting evolving perspectives on history. Controversial cases, such as the 2001 South Korean protests over Japanese textbooks, highlight the power of education as a socializing agent.
Workplaces require socialization into both material and nonmaterial culture. Different environments—factories, offices, emergency services—teach specific norms, and people often change jobs multiple times, requiring repeated socialization.
Government establishes age-based roles, such as adulthood at 18 or senior status at 65, requiring individuals to learn new responsibilities and rights.
Mass media profoundly influences norms and values, exposing individuals to material and nonmaterial culture. Media representation affects gender perception, as seen in Pixar and Disney films, which historically offered limited female lead roles. Parents and scholars, like Peggy Orenstein, critique the “princess culture” for its potential negative consequences on girls’ self-esteem, body image, and aspirations.
Reflection:
Take the time to reflect on your own experiences with family, peers, school, and media. These reflections help you connect your personal experiences to sociological concepts and think critically about how socialization has shaped you.