Agents of Socialization

Primary Agents of Socialization Family Peer Groups School Mass Media Resocialization

The Family Most important agent of socialization in almost every society. Values, norms, & beliefs are first taught among the family. Deliberate A father may teach importance of: telling the truth, being considerate of others. Unintended Suppose a father is teaching his child to be polite and the child sees several situations where the father is impolite.

The Peer Group A primary group composed of individuals of roughly equal age and similar social characteristics. Children begin to relate more to their peer groups. Most influential during pre-teenage and teenage years.

Peer Groups cont… Winning peer acceptance is a powerful force. Without peer acceptance children are often labeled as misfits, outsiders, etc… To win acceptance, young people willingly adopt the values and standards of the peer group. They shape themselves into the kind of person they think the group wants them to be.

The School Plays a major role in socialization. Between the ages of 5 and 18 you spend 30 weeks a year in school. Much of school socialization is deliberate. Teaching: reading, writing, math, and other skills. Extracurricular: clubs, sports, dances. A large amount of unintended socialization occurs. Teachers may become models for students: Manners, styles of speech, styles of dress, etc..

The Mass Media Communication that reaches large audiences with no personal contact between those sending the information and those receiving it. Books, films, internet(social media), magazines, newspapers, and television.

Mass Media cont… Television has the most influence on the socialization of children. 98% of the homes in the US have an average of at least two TVs. Children watch an average of 28 hrs/week of television. Television is the primary after-school activity for 6-17 year olds. 59% of girls under 18 play video games, 84% of boys play

Resocialization Resocialization involves a break with past experiences and the learning of new values and norms. Directed towards changing an individuals personality and social behavior. Accomplished by stripping away all identity with: Uniforms, standard haircuts, individual freedoms. Once your sense of self is broken they can re-mold you and help you conform to new patterns of behavior.

Resocialization Total Institution – is a setting in which people are isolated from the rest of society and are subject to tight control. Boot Camp, Prison, Psychiatric Hospitals To a lesser degree; divorce, going to AA meetings