1. SOCIALIZATION THROUGH THE LIFE COURSE Sociology – Chapter 3 – Mrs. Madison

2. The Life Course  The stages of our life as we go from birth to death  Affects our behavior and orientation to life  Affected by social class, race, ethnicity, and gender

3. Childhood (Birth – 12)  Childhood is not only biological, it is social  Varies depending on history, social class, location

4. Adolescence (Ages 13-17)  Adolescence is a social invention – early 1900s  Industrial surpluses meant children could remain outside workforce  Children remained in school longer  Children attempt to “find” themselves on their own

5. Adolescence (Ages 13-17)  Develop own subcultures

6. Transitional Adulthood (Ages 18-29)  Postindustrial societies are adding a period of extended youth to the life course  Haven’t taken on the responsibilities ordinarily associated with adulthood  “Lost Generation”Lost Generation”

7. The Early Middle Years (Ages 30-49)  People more secure in their “self”  Serious disruptions to the self may occur – divorce, job loss, etc.  Special challenge for women who “want it all”

8. The Later Middle Years (Ages 50-65)  Change in orientation – “Time Spent to Time Left”  Evaluate past – what they’ve accomplished  Come to terms with what lies ahead  “Sandwich Generation”Sandwich Generation  Comforts – Job security, increased standard of living, children grown, etc.

9. The Early Older Years (65 – on)  Often an extension of the middle years  Death becomes less abstract

10. The Later Older Years  No set beginning point for this stage  Usually marked by growing frailty and illness

11. Sociological Significance of Life Course  Life is not merely biology, but is influenced by social factors  History has an important impact on how you live  Social Location (class, gender, race) and individual factors (ex: entering college late) impact life course

12. Socialization Summary  Each of us is actively involved in the construction of our “self”  We are not passive “robots” impacted by socialization